Beauty and Intimacy: Entering God’s Presence
For Gilman, beauty isn’t just an add-on to worship—it’s often the doorway into a deeper experience with God. When one reviewer reflected on his album Awaken Love, they noted that the songs don’t just talk about beauty; they actually draw listeners into it. Gilman pulls language and imagery from Scripture, especially Revelation and the Psalms, and pairs them with melodies that steadily build and swell. Those crescendos aren’t about musical drama for its own sake—they’re meant to carry people past the idea of worship as a performance and into a real, felt encounter with God’s holiness and love. In Gilman’s world, worship isn’t something you simply listen to; it’s something you step into and live out.
The Role of the Worship Leader: Following the Spirit
Gilman also has a clear sense of what a worship leader is—and isn’t. For him, the role goes far beyond choosing songs or keeping a band together. A worship leader helps shape a spiritual space, listening closely to the Holy Spirit and guiding people toward God’s presence. Influenced by the wider movement of contemporary worship, Gilman sees leadership as magnifying who God is, staying rooted in Scripture, and inviting everyone in the room to participate. His own story—starting to lead worship at just fourteen and later mentoring others through Influence Music—reflects that vision. At every stage, his goal has been the same: to create worship environments that foster genuine encounter, not just polished moments or emotional hype.