I grew up in a family that didn't know Jesus. I had some awareness of "a god out there" but after going on an Alpha course in 2001 my sin, Jesus' death on a cross and his grace to me made sense to me- through tears I gave my life to him! I started playing the guitar and singing a few months after. The first few times I led worship at my youth group it was terrible- the guitar on my knee, playing obscure songs and strumming out of time!
I went to study in Canterbury and grew a lot in my faith. I loved The City Church and stayed in Canterbury after graduating largely because of the Church. I started leading worship at Church more regularly as well as gigging with my band eben. We played at festivals, went on tour with BBC Introducing and headlined at Soul Survivor. We released a couple of EPs but the band ceased to be in 2009.
It was then that I felt guided by God to write more for the Church. I married Kirsty, started working for UCCF (The Christian Unions) and led worship at their student conferences like "Forum" where 1,000 student leaders come to meet with God and learn how to witness on their campuses.
In 2012 I became a Father to Caleb and started to work as a worship leader and worship leader trainer. I released "Jesus' Name", "The Father's Love" and "Fountain of Goodness" through The Push Community (a collection of worship leaders working together). I also had the amazing privilege of leading worship at Mobilise with Simon Brading and Jules Burt (NewFrontiers Students & 20s conference) and The European Leadership Forum in Hungary.
In 2014 I started to work for my Church overseeing the worship teams at the 3 sites where we meet each Sunday. I also help serve across Relational Mission (the family of Churches we are part of within NewFrontiers) by leading worship at conferences and training worship leaders. I also help co-ordinate Worship Central Gatherings in Canterbury.
I’m passionate about gospel centred, Trinitarian worship. I love good music and I believe that the charts shouldn't be the place to find all the best music but the Church should be the place instead!
I blog regularly on my website www.worshipjesus.co.uk to help resource the wider Church.
The Stream
I've been considering recording a worship album for years but it just never seemed the right time. The worship singles I've released in the past couple of years I've liked but they aren't necessarily the kind of music I'd choose to listen to. This got me thinking...
How can I fuse together the songs I've written with other new songs in a style of music that I like playing and that gets me really excited? When I want to listen to music I want to listen to ambient music with great soundscapes (Sigur Ros, Explosions in the sky) and electronica music (Radiohead) so it makes sense that I make that kind of album. Yes the album will have a band but it will also have lots of beats and synths and programming too!
The beauty of the Father, Son and Spirit needs to be sung about. My desire is for God to be glorified through these Trinitarian worship songs and reach people's ears that don't know Him yet. I also want believers to be reminded of the gospel afresh from hearing and singing the truths on this record.
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Intro- Inspired by a verse in a hymn. The Father’s full delight is centred in His Son.
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The Stream- The verses are based on a William Cowper hymn. I wanted a song all about the cross and Jesus’ blood. The electronica theme of the album is introduced with this track.
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My Treasure- Based on the parable Jesus told about a man who finds treasure buried in a field. Simon Brading helped co write this and the next song.
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We are Your Church- Written for the Mobilise conference. The Church isn't a building, it’s us- a people who belong to Jesus.
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Fountain of Goodness- I wrote this with Mike Reeves (author of “The Good God”). We wanted a verse each about The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our Trinity song! It was written with a band in mind originally but is now more electronic and synth driven.
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You Delight- this came in a spontaneous worship time with my worship team.
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Holy Spirit- There’s lots of songs out there about the Holy Spirit filling us but not many about who He is. I wanted this song to describe the beauty of the Holy Spirit and that He fills our hearts with the knowledge of the Father’s love.
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Righteous- Our righteousness is not based on what we’ve done but we are made righteous in Jesus! This song has more of an orchestral feel with a choir and even Church bells!
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The Father’s Love- a celebration song about our adoption. His love outbids other loves!
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Jesus’ Name- The Father sent the Son into the world and The Son sends us in his name. This is very different to the single version. This is very minor & uses soundscapes and beats. The end section of the single was taken out for the album version.
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God of all Comfort- Ceri was a member of our worship team. She passed away suddenly aged 21 having been married for 9 months. Her Widower James and I wrote this song together a few days after she died. It’s about how each member of the Trinity offers comfort in the darkest times.
I’ve Recorded “The Stream” with Steve Harding and Tom Mills from The Push Community and will be released at the end of February 2015 on iTunes.
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