Kristian Stanfill exudes kindness, optimism, and the kind of wild generosity that would literally give you the shirt off his back. It’s who he is: joyful, alive, and lover of Jesus. But this ease and freedom that both buoys and anchors him has been hard fought and covered in grace.

Each of us has a past – a pivotal point in our story that has left us changed. These are the chapters of our lives that mark us and make us, for better or for worse. But often, these are the very parts of ourselves we go to great lengths to hide. While the world celebrates curated perfection and raising walls a little higher to cover the flaws, Kristian Stanfill’s latest offering, Make It Out Alive, suggests we lower the drawbridge and welcome the light of authenticity. It’s a genuine invitation and deeply personal to Kristian. These songs were born on the journey from brokenness to healing experienced in his own story. A story that he’s ready to share with the world.

After years of hiding pain and projecting an image of health that was only partially true, life came to a breaking point for Kristian. Something had to change. Afraid of losing everything, he began the hard and honest work of recovery. Life got harder before it got easier, and the days grew darker before they were brighter, but with God’s grace and the support of community, there was a determination in Kristian to make it out alive.

“I think a lot of people will understand this kind of crossroad that I’m talking about. It looks different for everyone but it’s at these points of intersection we get to decide if we are going to keep playing the game or start telling the truth. I decided, with the help of my wife, friends, pastors, and counselors, to tell the truth.”

It’s here in the messy middle of an unavoidable breakdown and necessary plummet to rock bottom that lyrics and melodies began to give language to the hurt. From the dark, light began to shine. Songs poured from the pain and became an unexpected soundtrack of restoration.  

“I was coming face-to-face with the dark parts of myself. Regret and wasted moments played on repeat in my mind. I began writing as a way to heal. But I wasn’t writing a record. I was writing for survival. It was just me and Jesus in that secret place. No walls or pretending. Just my broken life and His ability to heal me. I was writing my story of surrender.”

This album is an invitation into an honest conversation and an unexpected onramp for others to find the same hope and healing.

“I started to think maybe these songs could help someone else. I was learning about this new way of life and I had never felt so alive and free. I want everyone to experience this kind of freedom. The truth is, we are all broken and none of us have it all together. My goal would be that some of my honesty in these new lyrics and melodies will help someone else step into their freedom.”

Jesus alone is the Healer and the One who rescues and carries us through the valley. He is central in these songs that point to Heaven’s design for community, wholeness, and the defiant joy possible from the pit to the path of hope and healing. Each song is an ebenezer marking victory for Kristian and a reminder to all of us that with Jesus, we can make it out alive.

Kristian Stanfill is a part of sixstepsrecords/Capitol Christian Music Group as an artist, and songwriter. He has been an anchor worship leader with the Passion Movement since 2005, writing and leading songs such as "Glorious Day," "God, You're So Good," and the RIAA Gold®-certified track "One Thing Remains."  He has also released and been featured on tracks amassing 42M+ global streams.
Make It Out Alive is his first solo album since 2011. He and his wife, Kerri, have four children and live in Atlanta, GA where he is Worship Pastor at Passion City Church.

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