Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It's continually impressive to me that Bethel Music - the label, not the touring entity - have been able to develop solo and duo worship ministries to a level where some of their best material circulates the world Church. This hasn't happened yet to Ben & Kelly Smith, the worship leaders fronting Bread & Wine. Maybe it won't. Not every local church blessed with top quality musicians/songwriters are going to go on to find a kind of fame by seeing their material sung in thousands of churches from Kings Lynn to Kuala Lumpur. I'm pretty sure such lack of international impact doesn't really concern Ben and Kelly, who are the worship pastors at Bethel Atlanta. Their songs flow from worshippers with whom God has entrusted a flock who they skilfully encourage to engage with God. Their 'Live At Serenbe Two' is magnificent. From the authentic rocker "Unto Your Name" - which sounds like it would get any church congregation up and celebrating - to the hymn-like song "Moses", on which Ben powerfully moves into a spontaneous passage; from "Wonderfully Made" featuring Kelly, which again moves into a spine-tingling spontaneous song, and through to the end, the new song "Break Open The Box", these are exceptional songs passionately sung. Jesus Culture's founder Banning Leibscher once said, "There are albums and songs I have on repeat every time I listen to them. It immediately draws me into the presence of God." Banning was talking about the Smiths' debut album 'One' but no doubt this 2016 release does the same for him as it does for me.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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