Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Spotlight Hind's Feat

When I saw the sleeve bi-line 'Live worship from the Christian Centre, Nottingham,' I must confess my expectations plummetted. Was it going to be one of those retreads of the greatest hits of Redman, Kendrick and all? Or maybe one of those live celebration recordings with a worship leader shouting at us to praise the Lord with all our might and the congregation enthusiastically clapping out of time? But no, track one starts with a tender and rather haunting worship song "Only You" with the small choir of singers building it to a beautiful climax, leading into two more slow and poignant songs while cellos and flute give the deftest of accompaniment. After that comes "Praise Him", where a satisfying solid drum beat carries the catchy declaration of adoration. I reach for the inner sleeve to find out more. The worship leader and chief composer is David Hind, the flute player David Fitzgerald while the producer is none other than our old friend Neil Costello. What Mr Costello has done is bring focus fully onto some fresh and invigorating worship songs that deserve a wide circulation. And when I'm next in Nottingham I'll definitely want to visit this church for Mr Hind is clearly an anointed worship leader.

Worship leader David Hind answered some of Tony Cummings' questions.

Who are you?
I was born in 1966 and became an Anglican chorister at Southwell Minster. I eventually became a Christian when I was 19 whilst visiting a friend at Keele University. It made such an impact on my life that I have still not recovered. Following my conversion two of my sisters became Christians and another sister and my Mum and Dad came into renewal. I was married in 1987, two weeks before I was 21, to Susan, who is an infant teacher. I have two boys, Samuel 13, Thomas 11, and they are all fantastic. Becoming a Christian had a huge impact on my music. Up until this time I was in a rock band called Anaconda and immediately began to write Christian songs. I began to lead worship in a small Anglican cell group and eventually began to lead worship in the Christian Centre in 1986/87, where I am still based.

What were the circumstances which led to the recording of 'Above All Else'?
I have been writing songs for as long as I can remember and all of the songs on 'Above All Else' have come from the journey of the last 15 years. A businessmen approached me about his desire to underwrite the project and so we recorded live on a Sunday morning in February and worked in the studio for a couple of weeks.

What's been the response in the Christian Centre to the album?
The response has been great both in our own church and beyond. People have been using the album as both a source of inspiration and resource for new songs.

If you had to select two songs from the project to bring before the national church, what would they be?
"Lord Where Else Can We Go" and "O Yes How I Love Jesus", because they express the need to be completely dependant on Jesus and my own commitment to him. I also love 'Still' which is a declaration of hope.

How do you see your ministry developing in the future?
The main core of my ministry is as one of the leaders and elders here at the Christian Centre. I have worked alongside David Shearman, who has been the senior leader for the last 15 years, and see this continuing for the future. I have many aspirations for the future but above everything else want to be in the centre of God's will doing what he wants me to do with my life.