After 39 years, Spring Harvest continues to inspire, impact and equip churches and individuals, and the sung worship captured over those years at all event locations delivers a magnificent audio window into the depth and diversity that rises from thousands of voices and gifted musicians. This latest release is no exception and Sue Rinaldi discovers why…
Only The Brave…
This year’s event theme ‘Only The Brave’, after which the new album is named, was a robust and revealing delve into determined discipleship; looking at living out the big adventure of faith. Through five themes: Face It, Live It, Tame It, Lose It and Finish It, the book of James was studied, scrutinised, probed and pulled apart. It’s not surprising to find the resulting live worship album delivers bold declarations of faith and devotion to Christ and the gospel.
Strong anthems of praise from Bright City, Elim Sound, Kees Kraayenoord and Pete James superbly transmit the sincerity and fervour of the worship. Popular songs including ‘Reckless Love’, ‘Build My Life’, ‘So Will I’ and ‘Gracefully Broken’ sit wonderfully alongside newer songs including ‘Your Kingdom Come’, ‘One’, ‘This Is Jesus’ and ‘Rock of Our Salvation’.
One Church, One Voice, One Lord…
Four of the songs are led by Elim Sound, a new generation of worship leaders from the Elim movement. Their self-penned ‘One’, ‘We Say Yes’ and ‘Grace That Will Lead Us Home’ are honest expressions of thankfulness. Sam Blake, songwriter and one of Elim Sound’s worship leaders describes how Spring Harvest “strikes a beautiful balance between the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s word.” He adds, “Having the opportunity to lead God’s people in powerful, shared moments of worship was incredible. I love to hear the voices of those gathered - it is a glimpse of heaven on earth!”
My Life Is Built Forever In You Jesus…
Another family of artists, Bright City, came with their distinctive sound and style to impart a powerful mix of dynamic musicianship and spirit sensitivity. Only The Brave includes their weighty and wonderful renditions of the immensely popular ‘Reckless Love’ and ‘So Will I’ as well as their own ‘Rock of Our Salvation’, co-written with Martin Smith. Forging a lyrical path that focuses on trusting Christ as our foundation and hope combined with a steady hymn-like pace makes the galvanising ‘Rock of Our Salvation’ the perfect album closer.
Let The Flame Burn Brighter….
Seasoned attendees may remember singing those words in a song entitled ‘We’ll Walk the Land’ led by fi rst-ever SH worship leader Graham Kendrick. Many years later, clothed in entirely different musical apparel, these same words are pumped out, fi rst in the form of a rap and then as a rousing expression of intention from the Big Top congregation, as Netherlands’ Kees Kraayenoord leads album opener ‘Rise With A Roar’. Together with a predominantly young band, Kees brings a passionate energy to the table, supremely evident in the upbeat EDM influenced ‘This Is Jesus’, co-written with Tim Hughes and Martin Smith. You can visualise the jumping and hear the joy as thousands “sing aloud the Saviour’s song and worship Him.” The third offering from Kraayenoord, the contemporary classic ‘Build My Life’, is a beautiful bounty of worship.
God Of Salvation, Unfold Your Story…
The remaining three songs are led by recent Spring Harvest regular worship leader, Pete James, who has an engaging way of connecting with worshippers and encouraging participation and journey. His song-writing skills have brought us popular re-writes of ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’, ‘Giant Of Faith’, ‘Prepare The Way’ and many others, but the included ‘Your Kingdom Come’ is possibly one of his best. Written for this year’s ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer initiative, it conveys a heartfelt desire for God’s kingdom to come, here on earth as it is in heaven.
Arms Wide Open…
As Spring Harvest prepares for their 40th anniversary, it would be valid to question whether similarity of sound is creeping in. But this is where Spring Harvest shines. With continual investment into topical themes and challenging content, and by repeatedly initiating eclectic environments and inviting skilful Levites, seasoned and emerging, female and male, to facilitate divine encounters, the sung worship fl ourishes and stays fresh. Grounded in truth, prophetic in vision and hugely sing-able, Only The Brave delivers songs that, like its predecessors, will orbit the earth, changing lives and locations by fuelling fires of Godly passion.
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