Let Us Be the Church by Jon Guerra: The Story Behind the Song

In celebration of our 80th anniversary, World Relief partnered with Jon Guerra to write a song that captures the church’s call to be an agent of hope and healing in a world facing displacement, poverty and injustice. Celebrate the release of “Let Us Be the Church” by watching the music video and reading Jon’s reflection on why he believes the church’s true identity is found in following Christ’s example of selfless and sacrificial love.

Earlier this year, I was asked to consider writing a song for the 80th anniversary of World Relief. The prompt was as follows, “We’d like a song to acknowledge the current crisis of displacement … and to celebrate the fact that God has placed the church as an agent ready to respond. Most of all, we want to emphasize the bride of Christ as the church stepping into its identity ready to help a broken world.” 

As I considered the invitation, I couldn’t help but consider the state of the “church” in America lately. The word “church” is complicated. For some, it means a building. For others, it means a community. It can be a painful word or a word that brings up cherished memories. 

In 2024, church attendance on Sunday mornings in the United States is at a record low and continuing to fall. In some churches, partisan politics are more common than the Lord’s Prayer. There are about as many denominations as there are flavors of ice-cream. Not to mention the scandals of abuse and cover-up. God help us! 

But is this all the people of God are up to in the world? We have many reasons the answer to that question is an emphatic “no,” and World Relief is one of them.

As I learned more about World Relief — its mission and its history — I was encouraged and inspired. World Relief is continuing in the lineage of service to the poor, the outcast, the widow and the orphan that the early church was known for. 

The ancient historian Josephus said, “When it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked by the pagan priests, then I think the impious Galilaeans (Christians) observed this fact and devoted themselves to Philanthropy. They support not only their poor, but ours as well …” It was from this rich soil of service, worship and sacrificial devotion that the church grew. 

This is what World Relief was — and is — about.

This song, “Let Us Be the Church,” is a reminder, a charge and a prayer. We are God’s people, saved and rescued by God’s grace. God is at work in the world, and we are called to be a part of that work. 

Our witness is only as good as our action. As James said, “Faith without works is dead.” St. Athanasius said, “You will not find Christ in the Eucharist (communion) until you find him in the face of the beggar at the door.” We were once the beggar at the door, and Christ stopped for us. So we join our Savior in his work. 

It’s in these troubled times that we need to “rebuild the ancient ruins, raise up the age-old foundations” (Isaiah 58:12). We need a reminder of where God is indeed at work. We need a reminder of how this whole project, initiated by Jesus Christ, started in selfless, sacrificial service. 

I hope “Let Us Be the Church” is a reminder of that mission, an encouragement to those who listen and a reflection of World Relief’s highest calling and action in the world.

You can join World Relief in making a difference through the love of Christ in communities around the world.

Jon Guerra is a Devotional Music Singer-Songwriter based in Austin, TX. Originally from Chicago, IL, Guerra began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. In 2020, he independently released, “Keeper of Days.” Guerra began describing his style as “Devotional Music” — a term he coined to refer to his musical style — as “less Sunday morning worship music, and more Monday morning prayer music.”

His 2023 album, “Ordinary Ways,” was critically acclaimed and won Best Album of The Year at the Gospel Coalition’s yearly round up. His songs have been described as, “contemporary Psalms with the earnestness of George Herbert, the reverent doubt of R.S. Thomas, the piercing acuity of Christian Wiman, and the determined vulnerability of St. Augustine’s Confession.” (Fr. Zac Koons, Mockingbird Magazine). In addition to songwriting, Guerra, alongside his wife, Valerie, composed music for Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life” (2019). He is currently touring, writing for his next album, and enjoying tacos with his wife and daughter in the ever-balmy Texas hill country.