We haven't had a spontaneous baptism weekend for over a year (i think?). It was incredible to watch so many people JUMP from their seats at the call to come forward. I am always, in a way 'changed' by hearing stories of other peoples changed lives. I know many others are too. It is an honor to witness this incredible weekend at our church... God's church, His people.

(if you want to count, you'll see every single person who was baptized in the video!)

Baptism Highlights 2010 from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

I'm going on a journey i've never taken before. After some prayer, procrastination and testing of the waters, i've decided to set the wheels in motion for the making of my fifth record - and i'm going to journal the whole process - the journey - the tour. For previous projects i've tried to keep the process under wraps with some kind of strategy in surprising people with some over-presumptuous expectation of the project when i thought something of myself that i don't even desire to become now. Lord willing!

One of my life verses this year has been Psalm 24:3+4a - 'who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand in that Holy place? - He who has clean hands and a pure heart'. I have it written on a ring that i wear every day.
During that time i've found myself using the term of 'worship leader' as a 'tour guide', ascending the hill of the Lord, leading God's people to the top of that hill where the ground is level for all to meet with the Savior, Jesus. The tour guide is never celebrated, he's just the hired hand who leads the special guests, in anticipation to the centre piece of the tour. In this case, i am the tour guide (aided by the spirit), the tour is free for us anytime, you are the special guests and JESUS is the centre piece. And in a nutshell, that's what i want to create with this record - a tour. A 5 or 6 song project where people can take in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord as we ascend the hill together in praise to Him.

I am regularly and literally silenced at the weight of being given this task every weekend - to lead, to be a guide. My drive to church at the weekend is usually very quiet and mediative. Then out of my need of Him and personal pursuit of holiness bursts songs and sound. Simple songs turn into passionate cries to meet with God. Sung prayers become anchors of theology for me to attach myself to. This is what i want SO MUCH for others too, every weekend and every day in between. so i'm taking the job and i want to make a tour worth going on.

tour guide.
let it begin.