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Healing Rain, Michael W. Smith's 18th album and first pop studio record since 1999's This Is Your Time, casts a vision for personal and communal transformation. The album's title track represents the project's cornerstone, and already "Healing Rain" is creating substantial buzz, evidenced by a thunderclap of enthusiasm during recent tour dates and strong radio airplay.

"Healing rain is a real touch from God. It could be physical healing or emotional or whatever," explains the award-winning, multi-platinum-selling recording artist. But, Smith says, a problem lies in that people are afraid to surrender their lives to God to receive healing. "Things change when you give your life to serving God, and that can be scary. But you've got to step out in faith. Transformation in the world happens when people are healed and start investing in other people."

This kind of fearlessness has enabled Smith to go where duty calls, mixing with influential leaders and urging relief for hurting people. It may be to New York City to perform his patriotic "There (She Stands)" for the President of the United States at the Republican National Convention, or to the West Coast to spend time with The Passion of the Christ actor Jim Caviezel. It may be traveling to Ecuador on one of this many trips as a spokesperson for the children's relief agency Compassion International. Or, to Philadelphia, in the shadow of Independence Hall, standing with U2's Bono launching the "ONE" campaign, the latest effort by DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) to save Africa from its AIDS epidemic. What matters today to this musician, husband and father of five is working faithfully and fearlessly to show hope to a turbulent world.

"For some reason, and for a time such as this, God has given me favor with kings and princes," the Kenova, West Va. native says. "I don't know why I got picked. I can't wait to ask God because I'm not qualified. But I know God has big stuff planned that ultimately doesn't have anything to do with me. Meanwhile, I just want to be faithful in the small things and watch what unfolds." What Smith imagines to be unfolding is portrayed on Healing Rain.

"This is a record about healing. God, to this day, is in the business of restoring people's lives," Michael explains. "From this record, I hope people are convicted about Africa and the AIDS crisis. I hope people's hearts are prepared to receive news about the devastation in Sudan. I hope they see the hurting person next to them and are moved to act. And I hope, more than anything, that people are encouraged, that they know God loves them and because of that there is in fact hope."

Apart from his activism, music still consumes much of the singer/songwriter/producer's daily life, as it has for more than 20 years. Credited with Top 10 mainstream pop hits "Place In This World" and "I Will Be Here for You" plus 28 No. 1 Christian singles, Smith's music enables listeners to know God is present, that when the valley of night suggests otherwise, a spark of hope is always near. In Smith is the ability to put into song the emotions people feel, but don't have the means to express. His diverse portfolio includes pop, Christian, praise & worship and instrumental music, as well as feature-film scores. Combined, Smith's work accounts for more than 12 million albums sold, 13 gold and five platinum records, more than 40 Dove Awards, two Grammys and an American Music Award.

Coming off two live records-the platinum-selling firestorm Worship and it's Grammy Award-winning follow-up Worship Again, Healing Rain stylistically hails Smith's long-awaited return to fiercely hopeful pop. The project rocks with crunchy guitars, Michael's signature keyboards, gritty effects and polished electronic swirls, perfect for listening with headphones pumping full throttle.

Healing Rain moves worship beyond church walls into everyday life. If humanity is called to worship God, then we are called also to act, transforming the world through healing works. With each song like a vignette, Smith conscientiously paints a 51-minute cinematic picture of what could be. He produced the 11-track work with co-producers Matt Bronleewe (Natalie Imbruglia, Kimberly Locke) and Sam Ashworth. Dan Hill, Martin Smith (Delirious), Wes King, Taylor Sorenson and longtime collaborator Wayne Kirkpatrick contributed their songwriting skills.

Says Smith, "I don't think there is any one way to describe the record, although I do think it's the most aggressive thing I've done, with exception maybe to Big Picture and i 2 (Eye). I think every song is different, and I think it is a much more guitar-driven record than past projects."

In addition to the break-out title track, other songs on the album also encourage listeners to take courageous steps of faith, like "Hang On" and "Fly to the Moon." The latter was written at Skywalker Ranch in Marion County, Calif., and takes off mid-way through the album as a father's best wishes to a child striking out on her own. It's high-grade sentimentality without the sap: "Fly to the moon/And when you find your wings/I will celebrate with you/Watch you as you soar/Take the wishes that are yours/And let them fly you to the moon."

As skillful as this record is at taking stock of inner emotions, Healing Rain excels at waking up listeners to outward chaos. What do we do with hate in the world? That's the question posed in "Human Spark," written with pop troubadour Dan Hill in the aftermath of 9/11. Now, more than ever, humanity needs God residing in its heart. "We Can't Wait Any Longer" is an urgent call to action against poverty and injustice, and includes the Ugandan Children's Choir. At the end, a lone child speaks in Swahili, challenging, "Can somebody hear us crying out? Somebody help us. Somebody save us."

"And I love 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,'" Michael says of his homage to the popular Simon & Garfunkel tune. "There's nothing programmed on it at all. It's just rhythm section and orchestra."

Smith plans to support Healing Rain on tour during the coming year, driving to the hearts of many the record's good news.

"This album has been a labor of love for me. I've been stretched and inspired by the people I've worked with, and I feel that the songs on this album capture exactly who I am right now and what I have to say."