Hearn Innovators Series

The Hearn Innovators in Christian Music Series is a distinguished program at Baylor University, established through a generous endowment from Billy Ray Hearn, a pioneering figure in the contemporary Christian music industry. This series is dedicated to enriching the academic and spiritual life of the university by bringing prominent innovators and leaders in the field of Christian music to campus.

These esteemed guests may be artists, composers, producers, theologians, scholars, or other influential figures whose work is shaping the landscape of Christian music today—whether through performance, composition, production, research, or ministry. The series is designed to offer students unique opportunities to engage directly with these thought leaders and creatives, fostering meaningful dialogue and inspiration through personal interaction.

Each invited presenter participates in a three-day residency, during which they are actively involved in the life of the Baylor community. Their visit typically includes guest lectures in academic classes, public presentations such as concerts, lectures, or panel discussions, and more intimate settings like small group conversations, Q&A sessions, or workshops. This immersive format ensures that students across various disciplines—particularly those in music, ministry, and theology—can gain firsthand insight into the evolving role of music in Christian expression and worship.

Fall 2025 - Sandra McCracken

Sandra McCracken is a GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter, hymn writer, and author based in Nashville, Tennessee. With a career spanning over two decades, she has become a leading voice in the world of folk and spiritual music, blending elements of Americana, gospel, and sacred hymnody into a sound that is both timeless and deeply human.

Known for her distinctive voice and evocative melodies, Sandra’s songs—such as “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” and “Steadfast”—have become modern anthems for churches and listeners alike, offering honest storytelling and a profound sense of hope. Her best-selling album Psalms (2015) garnered critical acclaim, followed by God’s Highway (2017), which broke into the Billboard Top 50 without a major label. In 2023, her album Light in the Canyon won the GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year.

Sandra has released 18 solo albums as well as four children’s albums through the Rain for Roots project. She has collaborated with artists including Andrew Peterson, Ellie Holcomb, and Ben Shive, with whom she formed the duo Still Point. Her music has been featured on national television, including ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, and her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, She Reads Truth, Relevant Magazine, and more.