Reviewed by Dancin' Dave Derbyshire

This tape features music written and recorded by individual songwriters and musicians of Springfield Christian Fellowship in Telford. During the last five years, over 30,000 people have attended renewal meetings or conferences hosted by the church. Remarkably, in 1994 when God turned up in the form of the Toronto Blessing the church only numbered 35 members. Since then many have been healed and renewed in their love for Jesus and many have become Christians. Not only are renewal meetings regularly held but the centre also hosts arts focus workshops with the aim to release creativity into the body of Christ. I must confess to feeling pangs of envy towards a church having such a creative worship group. One of the singers here, Peter Sharpe, is a talented, though unknown, songwriter whom various people - including Kevin Prosch - have prophesied will be raised up into a music ministry. Peter has just three tracks on this tape of 19. Lyrically, I liked his "Struggling Saint" the best. A poignant song that I'm sure many will identify with. Musically, I was enthralled by his simple song "Leaves Of Healing" using a rain stick to full effect. I found it difficult to make an overall judgement of the quality of this album as it was a compilation of many different artists and styles. All the songs were all good but I found some to be outstanding. "Earth Psalm" for instance mixed some creative sounds with a monotone voice reading from Psalm 96, "Sing to the Lord, all the earth..." I am sure that this tape was produced to the best of everyone's ability considering the limited resources of a home studio. The result is a very creative tape that can be enjoyed for its own sake or used in worship in small group settings.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.