Scott Jasmin is taking the word of God from church services to stereo speakers.

His new CD, "Cornerstone Worship," is a collection of original, prayer-inspired songs that he hopes will bring God's message to thousands, as it has to the congregation of Cornerstone Assembly of God in Austin, where he shares his songs every week at the services.

He is passionate when talking about his music, which he defines as "praise and worship," and says the style fits the prayers well. "Take Me In," one of the songs on his album, is about the intimate relationship people have with God.

"It sounds like somebody just laying it out, just crying it out to God," he said about the guitar solo in that song. "And then it just comes back to 'Take me in.'"

He's been composing since becoming a Christian in 1990. Since then, he has been building up his list of songs, waiting until he had a full album of good material to record professionally before releasing a CD to the general public.

His method of composing is not rigid.

"My stuff has always just hit me," he said. "Usually, the harder I try to write a song, the worse it goes."

Jasmin is not looking to get rich from CD sales. All profits from this CD will go to Cornerstone Assembly of God. He is a volunteer and the primary worship leader for the church, which holds services at Banfield Elementary School. The congregation has tripled since he joined, and his dream is that he would raise enough money to make a sizable donation for the construction of a new church building.

Money, however, is not his main motivation. Affecting people and spreading the word of God is his focus. For example, he recently got an email from a friend who was feeling sad until she put his CD on.

"It brought her up out of her bummer-place where she was at," he said. That's far and away more important than any money it makes."

Jasmin said he would love to be able to make a career out of composing and performing praise and worship music.

"I believe that the Lord wants to give you the desires of your heart," he said. "I love doing this. If I could do this full time, professionally, that would be the desire of my heart."

But whether or not he makes it big-time, he knows he is doing the right thing.

"It's a passion, something I have to do," he said. "And also, I feel like I'm being obedient to God. This is something he wants me to do, and I'm doing it."

The CDs cost $15, but they are not on sale yet in Austin. Jasmin will hold his CD release party on May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Riverland Community College theater. After that day, his music will be available at Lighthouse III Christian Bookstore in Austin.

If you would like to get your hands on one now, they are available at Christian Books and Gifts in Rochester, or you can go to scottjasmin.com or ciy.com on the web.