Pepperdine WAVES WORSHIP Releases New Single “UNASHAMED!”
WAVES WORSHIP, Pepperdine University’s very own worship movement, has today released a brand-new single, “” Available on all streaming platforms, the song features a bright tempo, delivering the message to all listeners, especially college students entering a new chapter of their lives, that one need not be ashamed of their life story, as each moment—high or low—bears testimony to God’s redeeming grace.
The song is the result of devoted creative work of Pepperdine staff, students, and alumni who compose WAVES WORSHIP, each working to glorify God and build his kingdom through music.
WAVES WORSHIP at their writer's retreat
“‘UNASHAMED!’ carries a two-fold meaning rooted in the power of testimony,” says Lily Salanty (’21), associate director of worship for Pepperdine’s Hub for Spiritual Life and lead vocalist on this new single. “First, we are unafraid to share who we were—because our past is just a picture of the magnitude of God’s kindness and grace, of how he rescued us in our brokenness and made us new creations. Second, we testify—boldly, unashamedly—that we are changed and saved by Jesus alone.”
“This single is a heart cry for the Pepperdine community, proclaiming that we are unashamed to live and share the testimony of Jesus that is being written in our lives,” adds Nathan Lee, specialist of ministry and worship at Pepperdine who contributed as a songwriter. “God calls us to be strong and courageous in him; our identity is firmly rooted in him.”
The songwriting process began back in October 2025 during a dedicated WAVES WORSHIP retreat at Big Bear. In the midst of towering forest pines, the worship team brainstormed themes for songs that would provide spiritual healing and uplift for the Pepperdine community and beyond.
The beauty of the natural world beckoned the songwriting team to reflect on the “soil of their own hearts,” explains Jadyn Gaertner (’23), the Hub for Spiritual Life’s manager of worship, staff leader of WAVES WORSHIP, and lyricist and composer of this single. Authentic songwriting rather than following trends resounded as a creative priority: “As always, we wrote from a place that was honest and vulnerable. Listeners know when a song is not from a sincere place. Looking to our own hearts and encountering God is the key ingredient to making a worship song that moves our listeners.”
Songwriters were inspired by their community
2 Corinthians 5:17—"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”—and Romans 1:16—“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”—served as guiding scripture during the songwriting process as members gathered on cabin porches and in wide living rooms with guitars.
Pepperdine alumna such as Rianna Smith (’25), who is also currently attending the Caruso School of Law, have found this Christ-centered songwriting retreat to enrich her student experience. Entering into a creative community filled with the greater purpose of musically elevating the name of Jesus has allowed her to forge treasured friendships and serve the Lord.
“Between all of the laughing and enjoying time together, God gave us a song that now gets to serve the Pepperdine community,” says Smith. “It was such a sweet reminder to me that doing ministry with the people you love is such a gift.”
Though “UNASHAMED!” is newly released on streaming platforms, Gaertner shares that this may be a familiar beat to regulars of Pepperdine’s Well services, held weekly every Wednesday at 7 PM. Many of WAVES WORSHIP’s staff members lead the Well worship sets, and as Gaertner further explains, “We love sharing sneak peeks of our new music with members of the community at the Well. They’re a part of us and the work we do.”
This single follows the release of WAVES WORSHIP's first full-length album, composed of 12 original songs centered on the theme of encountering God in every moment. “UNASHAMED!” builds off that musical momentum of bringing the encouragement of the Gospel to the ears and hearts of listeners. Founded in 2022 within Pepperdine’s Hub for Spiritual Life, WAVES WORSHIP plans to continue releasing singles periodically throughout the fall and winter seasons.
“Our team wanted to write something fresh, huge, and chock-full of the Spirit on fire,” says Jordan Seah (’15, MBA ’24), director of worship, who also worked on composition of the single. “‘UNASHAMED!’ is a timely, courageous anthem to start our new academic year. We’ll encourage our students, faculty and staff not to live a life that dwells on the past, but one that steps into the bright future and hope that God has prepared for each of us.”
“UNASHAMED!” is now available to and download.
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