The hit track “I Can Only Imagine” by contemporary Christian band MercyMe is recognized as the best-selling Christian single of all time. However, the story behind its creation is not a simple tale of musical inspiration, but a raw, deeply personal journey of childhood trauma, radical redemption, and profound forgiveness. Written in mere minutes by lead singer Bart Millard, the lyrics actually took a lifetime of pain and healing to craft.
The Shadow of an Abusive Home
Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard’s early life was defined by fear. His father, Arthur “Bub” Millard, was a former high school football standout whose life was permanently altered after a horrific workplace accident. Hit by a diesel truck while flagging cars, Arthur emerged from an eight-week coma with severe frontal lobe damage, completely changing his personality from a gentle “teddy bear” into a volatile, abusive figure.
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MercyMe’s Bart Millard Shares his Remarkable Story – Part 1 of 2
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