Worship Online Podcast (For Worship Leaders)

Shame, Identity & Calling for Worship Leaders w/ Andy Cherry

Mar 5, 2026

Andy Cherry, worship leader, songwriter and touring musician known for serving the Church and writing for artists like Brandon Lake and Passion. He recounts rapid early success, stepping away to preserve marriage, and rebuilding identity when acclaim fades. Conversation highlights shame, calling, fatherhood-inspired songwriting, and leading with integrity and renewed purpose.

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ANECDOTE

Early Success Then Choosing Marriage Over Touring

Andy Cherry signed a record deal at 24 and experienced rapid industry success followed by personal strain.
He stepped away from touring to save his marriage, later calling that the best decision for his family and long-term health.

INSIGHT

Talent Outruns Character And Distorts Identity

Talent can open opportunities faster than character can sustain them, and applause risks becoming the basis of identity.
Andy realized being praised constantly in his early 20s created an unstable identity that collapsed when success was removed.

ANECDOTE

Learning To Lead When Nobody Knows Your Name

Andy moved to Toronto where few people knew him and learned to lead without applause.
Leading hymns at a 100-year church taught him to love, serve, and lead regardless of popularity, which healed his soul and marriage.

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What happens when your platform grows faster than your character can hold it… and the thing you dreamed of starts costing you what matters most?

In this episode, Keith chats with Andy Cherry, a seasoned worship leader, songwriter, and current touring musician for Brandon Lake, for a raw conversation on identity, shame and calling. Andy shares his whirlwind early career—signing a record deal in his 20s, walking away to fight for his marriage, and the painful (but formative) season of learning to lead when nobody's clapping.

Then it gets personal: the moment Andy realized he wasn't being motivated by God… but by shame—"like you write yourself a letter and forge God's signature on it."

If you've ever felt disqualified, stuck, or afraid to step out again, this will reset your perspective.

Press play and listen now.

About Your Guest

Andy Cherry is a worship leader, songwriter, and musician who has spent years serving the Church both on stage and behind the scenes. Early in his career, Andy released music and led worship in large gatherings before stepping away from the spotlight to focus on his family and long-term calling.

Over the past decade, he has continued writing and collaborating with artists across the worship community, contributing songs recorded by Brandon Lake, Passion, Josh Baldwin, and others. He has also helped shape projects for fellow worship leaders while quietly building a reputation as a trusted songwriter and creative voice.

Today, Andy serves at Seacoast Church and travels as musical director and acoustic guitarist for Brandon Lake. Known for his heart for authenticity and family, Andy is now releasing new music inspired by fatherhood, including his upcoming project Songs For My Son Vol. 1. His latest single, "The Good Stuff," reflects a season of rediscovering what truly matters in life, faith, and worship.

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Mentioned in the Episode

The Good Stuff

Our God's Alive

Seacoast Church

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The Worship Online Podcast is produced by Worship Online in Nashville, TN.