Michael English signs off the letter on his Web page “In Christ Alone,” and it’s appropriate for more reasons than just because that’s the name of his best-known song.
“In Christ Alone,” in fact, could be the metaphor for English’s new redemption as a Christian music artist.
With his new hit “Feels Like Redemption,” on top of the earlier “The Only Thing Good In Me,” shows the wondrous, God-given skills of a man with a rich, lustrous voice.
More importantly, it’s the voice of a man redeemed … a prodigal who’s come home.
English was on top of the world of Christian music in the early to mid-1990s … six Dove Awards, including the highly coveted Artist of the Year.
He had just won a Dove when, just the very next day, an extramarital relationship English had with a female singer in another group on tour with English was revealed.
A furor resulted, and English returned his Doves amid a very public fall from grace.
He was divorced, also had problems with drugs, and was seemingly disgraced when he had a life-changing encounter with God four years ago.
His life was dramatically renewed.
English grounded his Christian rebirth in pastoral accountabilitity and reliance on the Gospel.
And he sang … oh, how he sings, with an unsurpassed balladeer’s voice that can cover many ranges and styles.
The result is the aptly titled “The Prodigal Comes Home.”
English on his new record brings the same powerful singing voice that marked “In Christ Alone,” a song that’s one of the true staples of modern Christian contemporary music.
English said in an interview how he hopes the songs on his record “tell simple truths that people can relate to, and provide hope even when it feels hopeless.”
English remarried in 2002 (his wife is Marcie), and has two daughters.
As his Web page adds, “Not only has English been completely delivered from all substances, but (he’s) also experienced a second chance at starting a family (he also has an older daughter), which he credits as the ultimate miracle.”
There have been many miracles of redemption for one of Christian music’s most-talented singers, whose return is  a welcome new addition.