Emerging country music singer Makenzie Phipps has gone viral on social media multiple times for her renditions of classic hymns. This afternoon, she stopped by the CCM Café and gave us this amazing acoustic performance of “Softly and Tenderly!”

Hymns are beautifully written pieces of music that perfectly describe the awe-inspiring nature of God. Those words about the Lord's love, mercy and faithfulness are powerful and moving. As such, most people will have a personal connection or memory associated with one or multiple hymns.

Prior to her stunning performance of “Softly and Tenderly,” Makenzie mentions why that hymn is meaningful to her.

“This first hymn that I’m going to do is just very sentimental to me,” Makenzie. “Because I’d actually had a woman contact me on my social media pages and asked me if I would do a hymn in honor of her husband, who was ill at the time.”

Makenzie is unsure of what happened after that request. However, she hopes the hymn provided that woman and her husband peace.

“So I hope that this song was really able to touch them during a difficult situation,” Makenzie said. “And for all of y’all who may be going through the same thing, I hope it does the same to you.”

The young woman then gives a remarkable rendition of “Softly and Tenderly,” a tune about Jesus calling and pleading with sinners and those hurting to come to Him. 

As the song’s opening verse mentions, Christ's call is not limited to a select group of people. 

“Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals He’s waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me”

Christ calls for everyone to turn from their ways and seek comfort and solace in His loving arms. He is waiting, but ultimately, the decision of whether to answer His beckoning is up to us. 

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”