Jonathan Stockstill - Bethany Live: Let The Church Rise

Published Tuesday 21st November 2006
Jonathan Stockstill - Bethany Live: Let The Church Rise
Jonathan Stockstill - Bethany Live: Let The Church Rise

STYLE: Pop
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 21012-11752
LABEL: Integrity 40252
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £0.99

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Bethany World Prayer Center is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and became a major focus for refugees escaping from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (and where, wonderfully, many gave their lives to the Lord). Worship leader Jonathan Stockstill has a fine voice, and, ambitiously, wrote all 11 songs for this live venture - picked from his songbook for the period 2002-2006 -albeit at times in conjunction with another, as with Israel Houghton on the title track. The two top tracks, in my opinion, are without doubt the tender anthem "Father You're Glorious", which is simple yet affecting, and "Let The Church Arise", which, apparently, was written just before Katrina and became an anthem for what God did during that time. The problem with this CD, though, is that the quality of the majority of songs is mediocre. Certainly it makes for a fairly pleasant listen, but there is simply not enough outstanding material in such a crowded worship market. I feel the album would have been considerably stronger if the producers had allowed more variety in songwriting input.

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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Product Description
Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a multi-cultural, evangelical, mission and worship-minded church. The heartbeat of the church is a passion for God, and compassion for people.
Worship leader Jonathan Stockstills’ vision is to write and sing songs that will promote God’s Kingdom. Let The Church Rise was written right before Hurricane Katrina devastated the United States Gulf Coast region and became an anthem for what God did during that time. The church sponsored over 1,000 evacuees from the New Orleans area. During those months, over 800 of these precious people gave their hearts to the Lord.

Reader Comments

Posted by Kwame in Medway, Kent @ 10:19 on Mar 11 2010

This is a very good album. The songs are very much worship based and allows you time to contemplate and sing out to the Lord. Unlike many other worship cd's this guys allows you to join in. Come reveal is my favourtie.



Posted by Poenks in East London, South Africa @ 14:33 on Oct 10 2007

I am blessed by this cd and am positive that other people around the world are touched and led into God's presence by Jonathan Stockstill's praise & worship too. I'm sure he too knows what the word 'refugee' means. So, let us not stumble over something as trivial as words that have more or less the same meaning. Stay blessed.



Posted by Chrsitina in Milwaukee, WI @ 04:20 on Apr 14 2007

I have to disagree with your comment. I love this entire cd, from the first to the last song. It is vertical worship, and takes me right into the presence of the Lord. I doubt that the intentions of this album is to please people, but to please God, and to bring individuals into the presence of the Lord, and worship. It's not about a market, but it is about Jonathan Stockstill and Bethany's worship to God, and how it is coming out of their spirits.


Reply by Proverbs31Woman in Baton Rouge, LA @ 04:37 on Sep 22 2007

While it is most important to remember that all praise is pleasing unto the Lord, I would more so like to comment on the author and his poor choice of words. With all do respect, it is very displeasing to refer to those who have had to evacuate from New Orleans as refugees. You see, a refugee is a person who flees from one country to a foreign country to escape persecution or danger. In that the individuals from New Orleans are from the United States they are not refugees, but escapees. Be Blessed!!

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