On seven of the record's 11 tracks, Smith invested extensively in 18-year-old songwriter Leeland Mooring, frontman from the new Essential Records rock band Leeland. Michael, who has long mentored up-and-coming acts, says, "This kid's special. Somehow he's tapped into the heartbeat of God. There's no doubt to me Leeland is destined for greatness." The pop hit "Escape Your Love" is one fruit of that collaboration. A hooky, romantic lyric celebrating relationships, the light-hearted, closing track was co-written by Mooring and Tyler Smith, Michael's son. It honors the 25 years of marriage Michael celebrated recently with his wife, Debbie. Other Mooring standouts include "Cover Me," "Come to the Cross," and "Open Arms."

With so many men and women uniting to create the album, Stand illustrates the power of community building for a greater good.

"We cannot be deceived. We cannot believe we're not good enough because our works don't measure up," Smith says. "By grace, we are children of God—and it's time we started living as though we really believe that truth. That's 'it.' Period."

Stand emerges as another thought-provoking album from one of the most popular recording artists in Christian music. Smith has enjoyed chart-topping success on pop radio, and he's amassed a staggering 31 No. 1 singles. To date Smith's sold over 13 million units resulting in five RIAA-certified platinum and 16 gold projects, an American Music Award, three GRAMMY Awards and 40 Dove Awards. His most recent recordings have included best-selling projects Worship and Worship Again, each contributing dramatically to the advancement of today's modern worship movement.

In addition to his work at New River Fellowship, Smith is founder and president of his Rocketown Records label and founder of a Nashville teen club, Rocketown. He also remains a regarded philanthropist active in DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade Africa, established by U2 frontman Bono), Compassion International, and was recently appointed by President George W. Bush as vice chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. But Smith pushes away his résumé.

"I know who I am more today than I ever have," Smith says with that signature grin we've come to appreciate across his distinguished career. "But my confidence doesn't have anything to do with all that. I know who I am because I really believe I'm a child of God.

"Life's not all about the stuff we can accumulate or the honors people heap on us," Smith continues. "Serving people in the name of Jesus is what really matters in the world. We have to step into people's lives so that they can be changed by God.

"But we really have to start believing this is our mission—that this is the authority that is ours as children of God. Simple acts can start to change thousands of peoples' lives.

"It's time we take a stand believing we are loved," Smith concludes. "And then, let's go. Let's go change the world."