Christian singer Michael W. Smith: Columbine shooters were 'saveable'

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Michael W. Smith: Columbine shooters were 'saveable'

Christian singer Michael W. Smith on his new album and helping kids get off the streets

Christian singer Michael W. Smith is returning to his roots with his first studio worship album since 2008. It's called "Sovereign," and his inspiration came from an event that forever changed his life: the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

After the shooting, Smith was invited to participate in a memorial service for the victims.

"The most horrific thing is just knowing I'm hanging out with these moms and dads who lost their kids," Smith remembered. "I think probably the one thing that has stood the test of time in my mind is that I feel like we could've prevented something like that from happening."

Smith had already been involved with helping at-risk youth, but the aftermath of the shooting re-ignited his passion. He opened Rocketown, a huge facility in Nashville complete with an indoor skate park, studio, coffee bar and after-school programs to keep kids off the streets.

"I believe there's a way to rescue kids that are that deep in anger and hate and whatever they've been exposed to," Smith said. "I believe that they're saveable."

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL W. SMITH

Smith says his new album focuses on faith, grace and forgiveness.

"I'm very proud of it -- I don't say that word too often, but it was a work, a labor of love," Smith said.

Smith has sold over 15 million albums and received three Grammy awards over his three-decade career, and has no plans of slowing down.

"I don't believe in retirement," Smith said. "I feel like my best work is yet to come."