Reviewed by Ronnie Payne

Tony Phelps-Jones is the Director of Causeway PROSPECTS, a Christian charity with a ministry to people with learning difficulties. On this CD he uses his experience and skills as a worship leader and songwriter in order to encourage and enable people with such difficulties to participate in Christ-centred worship. The emphasis is on simplicity in melody and lyric "'The Father Himself Loves You"); focus on Jesus ("Jesus Is The King Of Heaven" ); along with a sense of loving community ("We Are Here Together"). The musicianship is excellent and the whole project is infused with an undeniable sense of the presence of God. Several of the songs feature "responsive" singing, ie, the leader sings one line which is responded to by the congregation in the next and there is a nice balance between "happy-clappy" songs and quieter, more reflective pieces. About two per cent of the population of this country have learning difficulties so there are bound to be churches who could make use of the material here particularly when there are so few other dedicated resources out there. The PROSPECTS team (and Spring Harvest who sponsored the project) are to be congratulated for addressing the issue with such a fine effort, the value of which is further enhanced by a music pack and backing tracks which are also available - check out their website at www.prospects.org.uk for further info.



Ronnie Payne is a junior hospital doctor and doting daddy who secretly wishes he had more time to play his Taylor guitar.

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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