Blog: Worship Central Tour
Worship Central has grown dramatically in the last few years, compilation albums, big UK tours and extra worship leaders on the team. Worship Central for all who don't know was set up by Al Gordon and Tim Hughes who are both worship pastors/leaders at Holy Trinity Brompton in London; they came up with the idea of equipping the church through a website to resource worship leaders around the world. Giving tips and training material for the local church worship leaders to use in their Sunday Services. The website also has grown, with special blogs from Matt Redman and Martin Smith to a massive forum where you can log on, interact and give your view on the topic of the moment, and probably the best part is the new song facility. This is a place where you can hear the monthly new song and then download the chords to play in church, amazing.
When I heard Worship Central were coming to Swansea on their UK Tour, I wanted to go as last time they did a tour it was an amazing evening of praise and worship. This year's event was put on by the wonderful people at Event 53 who do an amazing job in bringing Christian bands and worship leaders to the South Wales area. They have brought Delirious, Switchfoot and Ruben Morgan in the last few years and do some amazing work.
So Thursday came and sadly I had to work during the day, but spent most of the day clock watching, counting down the hours until I could leave Cardiff and head to Swansea. Me and my wife hatched a plan; she would meet me at my office and we would drive, get some food and then head down the M4 following the signposts to Swansea. My wife decided we should take a SatNav as when we get lost she says, and I quote "You do get a bit angry sometimes". I have learnt never to argue with your wife, she is always right.
We made it through the rain, parked up and headed into The Elim Church where already the hall was packed with excitable people. The evening kicked off at 7:30pm when Tim Hughes and Al Gordon welcomed the crowd to Worship Central. It wasn't long until Ben Cantelon and 8 months pregnant Nikki Fletcher led us into a time of worship with tracks like "You Alone", "Happy Day", "Not Ashamed" & "Dancing Generation" which were fantastic. It was also great to see a few tracks from Ben's new album "Running After You". Nikki Fletcher took lead vocals for "This Is Our God" & "Be High and Lifted Up", and she did an amazing job while being so heavily pregnant.
Al Gordon and Tim Hughes then did the sort of sermon part, talking about being creative for God and how we should use our gifts for God. We were then led into a prayer and healing time, which was fantastic and before we knew it we were back in worship to God being led by Tim and Al, with songs like "There Must Be More", "Everything", "Dance" & "Glory In The Highest". The night ended amazingly with Tim Hughes' track, from his live album, "Give Us Your Courage" which led into "The Stand" and as the congregation kept singing the band left the now dark stage to the words on the screen of "Amen".
What an evening, the Worship Central Team were brilliant and I hope people will be more uplifted and more creative for God.
Jono
