Red Barn Worship is a student-led, Christian ministry, where college students gather at the Red Barn to sing praises to the Lord. On Aug. 22, Red Barn Worship released its debut album, “At the Arena (Live),” which was recorded in Neville Arena and is streaming on all platforms.
Cofounders Andrew Dillard and Anna Hustad said the album is one of many answered prayers for the group, while reflecting on Red Barn Worship’s journey.
“Since the beginning, it’s been the kind of thing that God has orchestrated to be so much bigger than us,” Dillard said.
The group of ten started last fall, after the Lord stirred in both Dillard’s and Hustad’s hearts to fill a need for worship in the Auburn community. Hustad formed a group chat of all the people that came to her mind to start the band, and the worship nights took off.
The group first met on a Friday night at Red Barn with the initial intention of just one worship night, but according to them, they felt the Holy Spirit calling them to more. Red Barn Worship transformed into a ministry that bred community.
“So many different people can come and just worship together authentically,” said Piper East, a frequent attendee of Red Barn Worship. “You can tell that these nights are so thought out and given back to the Lord.”
The group explained that they follow the Spirit’s lead in everything, from each song they select to every date and venue that they schedule.
In meetings, the group breaks down song lyrics, praying over the verses and focusing on those grounded in Scripture. Dillard said they continually ask themselves: If people hear this song, would they walk away with something of real substance?
“We have all these nonbelievers [who] come to these worship nights, and the last thing we want is for them to come experience something awesome and then leave with no heart change or direction,” said Miller Knott, Red Barn Worship guitarist. “It’s been a goal for this year to provide that community, follow-up and environment to point them in the right direction.”
Regardless of whether the nonbelievers are willing to take those next steps, Red Barn Worship’s vision is to show Christ’s love to the nonbeliever and believer alike.
Last year, their vision was to dream big and watch God fulfill those dreams. They watched the Lord take them from playing at the Red Barn to playing a set in Neville Arena.
Playing in Neville was something the group merely talked about, until they started meeting each week to pray, practice and talk about the technicalities of performing in the Arena. Daniel Dorizas, vice president of Red Barn Worship, was the one to reach out to the University to book the venue. After back-and-forth emails, the University finally proposed the venue for its available date and price.
“Within one phone call, everything was funded,” Hustad said.
Red Barn Worship performing inside of Neville Arena.
Hustad recounted that Dillard said he saw that night as a gift that kept on giving, and it ultimately did in the form of an album.
While performing in Neville, sound technician Drew Shipps recorded the set without the band’s knowledge. When they discovered it, they debated whether they should keep it on the hard drive forever or send it out to the world to use as a testimony in their lives.
Knott said many people asked him why they released the album. While some may view the release of the album as prideful, organizers of Red Barn Worship explained that was not their heart posture.
“Why would we not try to do crazy things to advance God’s Kingdom?” Knott said.
Further expounding, Knott argued that if God is limitless, then why not try to spread his message? He did not want to have his faith and not use it for God’s Kingdom.
They decided to release the album, giving attendees a way to relive a night that impacted them and allowing new listeners, who could not attend the event, to also have the opportunity to be moved by it.
Joseph Wilkerson, arranger and guitarist for Red Barn Worship, spent 130 hours producing the album, and Dillard worked to distribute it with record labels and companies. Kate Clifford, photographer and creative director of Red Barn Worship, handled the marketing and the creative side, and Shipps worked with the production.
Dillard added that God delights when we dream big, but by our own power, we cannot make it happen. According to Dillard, the Lord allows these things to happen. The Neville dream happened in eleven days, but according to Dillard, the event and the worship album could not have happened without the months of prayer, hardship and humbling.
“Take my hand, and I will show you the way,” Dillard said, regarding God's wisdom throughout Red Barn Worship's experience.
Growing from one worship night to performing in Neville Arena and producing an album, Red Barn’s journey has been one hinged on God’s guidance. The band leans on 2 Corinthians 2:9: "'But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’”
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Betsy Nearn, junior majoring in public relations, is from Memphis, Tennessee. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
