Fernando Ortega has officially released his first collection in four years.
The Dove-award-winning singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and storyteller released the 5-track EP, All the Saints on Friday, offering new songs for the church to sing.
"When we’re singing hymns, we’re singing words that were likely written by a very theologically minded person with a poetic sense,” said Ortega. “There are so many hymns that are not really sung anymore; they’re, by and large, just not known. So I like bringing those hymns back. These hymns also bind us together in a transcendent way with generations of Christians who have gone before us.”
The new project was co-produced by Ortega and Matthew Tobias. It was engineered by Russ Long, who also did work with the Newsboys and Tenth Avenue North.
It features a variety of hymns including "How Can I Keep From Singing," "Gloria," and "Jesus, Bread of Life."
The project’s title cut also serves as the closing benediction.
“I remember hearing that song for the first time in an Anglican church in Boston where Elisabeth Elliot used to attend. The text was so moving,” Ortega explained. “Later on, I heard N.T. Wright talking about hymns, and he cited ‘For All The Saints’ as one of the most complete theological thoughts. So much of the Christian theology is contained in this hymn. I’ve always wanted to record it.”
Fernando is preparing to hit the road on his Christmas tour which begins in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Dec.4, 2024.