- Content: 
By Movieguide® Staff
Phil Wickham just shared the incredible true story behind “Amazing Grace” as he celebrates the release of his version of the classic hymn.
“Did you know that the man who wrote ‘Amazing Grace,’ the most popular Christian song of all time, was a slave trader?” he said in an Instagram video. “In the 1700s, John Newton was on a boat trafficking humans — buying, selling, capturing them — one of the greatest horrific evils the world has ever seen. And he was out on this ship and a storm blew in. It started tearing apart the ship. The ship was taking water; it looked like certain death. And in that moment, John Newton even surprised himself by crying out to God, asking for help and praying for forgiveness.”
Wickham explained that Newton “went on to survive that storm, and from that day on, his life started to change.”
“After he cried out for help, cried out to God, a change sparked in his heart, and over the next couple years, he grew closer and closer to God, to the point where he started studying the Bible and ended up becoming a pastor,” he continued. “He fought against slavery, he spoke up against slave trade. It was amazing what God did in his life, and so when he says, ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,’ it’s not just poetic imagery…he’s thinking back on who he was before he knew the grace of God.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTwGrYJEvRG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Related: This Worship Artist Just Secured a Major Career Milestone
The story is also told in the Movieguide® Award-nominated movie by the same name.
According to the Movieguide® review: “AMAZING GRACE is captivating to watch and inspiring in its Christian content. Since THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, there has not been a movie with such strong Christian testimony. Best of all, the testimony is on the side of freeing the captives, feeding the hungry, taking care of the needy, and having a practical, deep Christianity that involves faith in action. It deserves four stars and deserves commendation.”
Wickham is celebrating the release of “It Really Is Amazing Grace,” a collaboration with Crowder.
“VERY excited about this one. I couldn’t believe I’ve never put out a version of this hymn!?!” Wickham wrote in another Instagram post. “As a worship leader for 25 years I am ALWAYS searching for upbeat songs that carry spiritual substance, joy, and are just fun to sing. This one checks all those boxes for me! It’s called ‘IT REALLY IS AMAZING GRACE’ and it rips you guys!”
Wickham teased that he might even put the song “at the top of the Song of the Saints Tour” set list, which he’s due to start in March.
“So stoked and honored to have my friend @crowder join me in releasing this song,” he added.
“Amazing Grace” isn’t the only classic Christian song Wickham has reimagined. Last year, he spoke to CCM Magazine about his version of “Awesome God.”
The singer explained that the reimagined version began as just “joking around” in the studio, but after working on the track, Wickham and his collaborators realized they had something. The song, “What An Awesome God,” was released on Wickham’s 2025 album Song of the Saints.
“To sing it again, and for my kids to know this chorus and to sing it with another generation is very cool,” he said. “It’s an honor to be a small blip on a story of a huge, huge song.”
Wickham’s reimagined versions of beloved hymns and worship songs are bringing these classic songs to a whole new audience!
Read Next: ‘So Blessed’: Worship Artist Gushes About Starring Role in DAVID
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
