Dear Jesus

Dear Jesus
EP by
We the Kingdom
ReleasedJanuary 30, 2026 (2026-01-30)
Recorded2023–2025[1]
GenreFolk rock[1]
Length26:39
Label
ProducerThe Kangies
We the Kingdom chronology
Live from Ryman
(2023) 		Dear Jesus
(2026)
We the Kingdom EPs chronology
A Family Christmas
(2021) 		Dear Jesus
(2026)
Singles from Dear Jesus
  1. "Rescue Me"
    Released: January 22, 2026

Dear Jesus is the seventh extended play (EP) by the American Christian rock band We the Kingdom. The EP was released on January 30, 2026, via Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow Records, to CD, LP, digital download and streaming formats. The EP was produced by The Kangies and written by Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash, and Chris Tomlin.

Dear Jesus was supported with the release "Rescue Me" January 22, 2026 as the EP's only single, and "Don't Let the Darkness" on October 24, 2025, "Dear Jesus" on November 21, 2025 and "Easy" on January 9, 2026 as promotional singles. The EP features a guest appearance from Tomlin.

Release and promotion

On October 24, 2025, We the Kingdom released the first promotional single from the EP, "Don't Let the Darkness".[2] The song saw the band's attempt at centralizing "the simplicity of being a band," in addition to creating music that "feels both classic and current."[3][4][1] An official music video of the song was uploaded to YouTube.[5] On November 21, 2025, "Dear Jesus" was released as the second promotional single. The song was inspired by a conversation which the band had with a man whose life was change significantly since becoming a Christian.[1][6] A lyric video for the song was released to YouTube.[7] With the release of its title track, Dear Jesus was announced, with its cover artwork, track listing, and release date.[8] The EP was made available for preorder.[9]

On January 9, 2026, the song "Easy" was released as a promotional single.[10] On January 22, 2026, "Rescue Me" was released to Christian contemporary hit radio in the United States as the album's lead and only single.[11]

Writing and development

Dear Jesus demonstrates the style of folk rock. It was recorded between 2023 and 2025. Shore Fire Media noted the EP's themes of surrender, belonging, and renewal, acclaiming its ability to communicate the ideas through "vivid imagery and a raw sense of faith."[1] With the EP, We the Kingdom attempted to write lyrics which were "deeply personal, rooted in faith, and unafraid to wrestle with both light and darkness."[12] The EP has been described as being "We The Kingdom's most personal release yet", containing "songs that reflect real life, including both the beauty and the struggle, and the moments of light that break through."[13][14] It was recorded in We the Kingdom's personal studio in Nashville, Tennessee.[15]

The EP features writing credits from Bergthold, E. Cash, M. Cash, S. Cash, and Tomlin. It was produced by The Kangies. The EP's tracks were programmed by Bergthold and engineered by Ainslie Grosser and The Kangies. It was mixed by Dafydd Thomas and The Kangies, and mastered by Sam Moses. Artists and repertoire was managed by Carter Henderson, Chad Chrisman, and Garrett Davis.[16]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Jesus Freak Hideout
Jubilee Cast
Today's Christian Entertainment

Critical

Dear Jesus received mixed reception from critics. In a 3.5-out-of-5 star review for Jesus Freak Hideout, Alex Caldwell described the EP as "musical comfort food" containing "warm, familiar 60's and 70's folk-rock vibe," praising its "mellow grooves and appealing songs that soothe the soul." Later continuing on with the "musical comfort food" metaphor, he criticized its short length as "a good snack that could have been a great meal with some additional ingredients," but regardless, "still goes down smoothly and nourishes the soul after a long day."[17]

In a similar score of 3-out-of-5 stars for Jubilee Cast, Timothy Yap made stated of the EP that, "in many ways, it succeeds. In others, it feels cautious and uneven," describing it as "meaningful" but not "fully memorable." He observed that the EP "reflects a desire for freedom and authenticity," containing "no overarching concept, no radio-driven urgency, and no attempt to chase current worship trends," which he described as "admirable". He enjoyed the EP's "emotional honesty," but criticized it's "creative restraint" as being too predictable.[15] Awarding the album with a perfect score of 5-out-of-5 stars, Darcy Webber of Today's Christian Entertainment praised the "amazing lyrics, music, and vocals" found in Dear Jesus. He observed that, unlike previous releases by the band, the EP contained no "great vertical worship song," but stated that the fault "[doesn't] take away from Dear Jesus."[18]

Commercial

Shortly following the release of the EP, the track "Rescue Me" went on to peak at number 23 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.[19]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Marin Cash, and Scott Cash, and produced by The Kangies, unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't Let the Darkness" 3:16
2."Let It Be Jesus" 3:38
3."Rescue Me" 3:32
4."Dear Jesus" 3:26
5."I Belong to You" 3:16
6."Holiness" (featuring Chris Tomlin)
  • Andrew Bergthold
  • Ed Cash
  • Marin Cash
  • Scott Cash
  • Chris Tomlin
3:20
7."Easy" 6:10
Total length:26:39

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal Music.[16]

Release history

Release history and formats for Dear Jesus
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various January 30, 2026
[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "We The Kingdom Announces New Album 'Dear Jesus,' Out January 30, 2026 via Capitol CMG". Shore Fire Media. 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  2. ^ Clarks, Jessie (2025-10-24). "We The Kingdom Releases New Single "Don't Let The Darkness"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  3. ^ "We The Kingdom Releases Uplifting Track "Don't Let The Darkness"". Gospel Chapter. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  4. ^ "We The Kingdom Inspire and Uplift with 'Don't Let The Darkness'". GodTube. 2025-10-29. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  5. ^ We The Kingdom - Don't Let The Darkness (Official Music Video) (Video). Capitol CMG, Sparrow Records. 2025-10-23. Retrieved 2026-01-08 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "We The Kingdom Lyric Video for Soul-Stirring 'Dear Jesus'". GodTube. 2025-11-26. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  7. ^ We The Kingdom - Dear Jesus (Official Lyric Video) (Video). Capitol CMG, Sparrow Records. 2025-11-20. Retrieved 2026-01-12 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "We The Kingdom Announce New "Album Dear Jesus"". Gospel Chapter. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  9. ^ "We The Kingdom Announces New Album 'Dear Jesus,' Out January 30, 2026 via Capitol CMG". Jesus Freak Hideout. Shore Fire Media. 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  10. ^ "We the Kingdom "Easy" New Song Alert". Good Christian Music. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
  11. ^ Power, Miranda (2026-01-21). "You Heard It First: We The Kingdom's New Song "Rescue Me" Premieres on CFR". Christian Family Radio. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  12. ^ Longs, Herb (2025-11-21). "We The Kingdom Unveil New Album 'Dear Jesus' Coming January 30". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  13. ^ "We The Kingdom Releases Newest Album 'Dear Jesus' Out Now via Capitol CMG". Public. Shore Fire Media. 2026-01-30. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  14. ^ Bajalan, Clara (2026-01-27). ""Dear Jesus" Drops Jan. 30: We The Kingdom's Most Personal Release Yet". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  15. ^ a b Yap, Timothy (2026-01-30). "We The Kingdom "Dear Jesus" EP Review". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  16. ^ a b "Dear Jesus / We the Kingdom / Credits". Tidal Music. Capitol CMG and Sparrow Records. 2026-01-30. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  17. ^ Caldwell, Alex (2026-01-29). "We the Kingdom, "Dear Jesus" review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  18. ^ Webber, Darcy (2026-01-30). "Album Review: We The Kingdom – 'Dear Jesus:' A Raw Testament of Grace and Redemption". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  19. ^ "Christian Airplay: Week of February 14, 2026". Billboard. 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  20. ^ Formats for Dear Jesus:
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