GRAHAM KENDRICK's 'The Very Best Of Graham Kendrick: Knowing You Jesus' album is released this month. Clem Jackson spoke to Graham about the project.

I listen to a lot of songs that people submit - I've been involved in compiling songbooks and so on - and one of my observations has been that many songs could move from good to excellent if only somebody had put the necessary time in to craft them. Getting the opinions of others is an important part of this whole process, helping you to get a perspective on the song. I would also encourage writers to get together and play each other their ideas and offer their suggestions.

Clem: You were at Spring Harvest again this year; how many years is it now?

Graham: Well, I was there right at the beginning. I was working closely with one of the founders of Spring Harvest, Clive Calver, at Youth For Christ. I remember we did a 55-date tour called 'The Fighter Tour' taking with us boxes and boxes of flyers for this new event. So I was there at the first one and have been on the journey at most of them since, with a few gaps along the way - but not many.

Clem: For many people Graham Kendrick leading worship in the Big Top is an abiding image of Spring Harvest. But what does Spring Harvest mean to you?

Graham: I guess I look at it from the point of view of what it does for the Church. Every year it is so clear that Christians, most in groups from their churches, get refreshed, taught, encouraged, equipped and resourced. They go back home with some fresh life and fresh vision for their churches - I think that's incredibly valuable. Most churches are quite small and to be able, at least once a year, to be part of something much bigger, to have your eyes opened to a much bigger scene, is a really important thing for the Church in the nation. I think Spring Harvest plays an important part in that and as long as it is doing that I'm 'gung-ho' for it.

Clem: You've got this album of 'refreshed' old songs coming out this month but are you working on some new songs at the moment?

Graham: I never stop writing. I've been accumulating a number of new songs over the last few years and yes it is some time since I recorded a new songs album. There are a few new songs, which have ended up on Spring Harvest albums, like "Love Each Other" last year and another called "I Know He Lives", and many others as well. I've written songs for men's conferences so there are lots of songs and I'm very much looking forward to doing the new songs album which we are scheduled to begin work on in the autumn. Hopefully we'll have it out around this time next year.

Clem: Just in time for Spring Harvest 2011 then?

Graham: What a coincidence!

This article originally appeared in the May 2010 issue of Christian Marketplace and is used with permission.