The quality of the musicians I was working with, and their commitment to musical excellence, has really opened my eyes to the role that music plays in worship. It’s not just as an accompaniment to the words: it’s a legitimate ‘voice’ in and of itself, expressing the beauty, the majesty, the power and the love of God in ways that mere words and concepts can’t; and it can also articulate our response to those things in a most profound and satisfying way.

I’m hearing many stories of people, both Christians and non-Christians, who have been profoundly affected by attending one of the gigs. Our prayer each night was that there would be lasting impact in people’s hearts and lives, and that as a result the kingdom of God would be extended and the Church of Christ would be built up – and I’m so encouraged to hear the ways in which that prayer has been answered.

Here’s a brief catch-up on the second half of the tour:

Monday night – Cambridge. An enthusiastic crowd at Eden Baptist, on possibly the smallest stage I’ve ever had to fit 6 musicians on! But it was a great evening, and a cheer went up when it was announced that Joseph (our drummer, and my son) was coming to study theology there at Corpus Christi next year – several church leaders present were metaphorically rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of adding him to their worship band…

Tuesday night – Norwich. Holy Trinity, a beautiful Anglican church with a relatively newly-built balcony, and the church where I discovered my mother-in-law went to Sunday school, and her mother attended regularly in the 1930s and ‘40s - so it was nice to have a personal connection. Another great atmosphere during the evening, and we were looked after so well.

Thursday night – Wrexham. Hosted by my good friend Phil Harman, we were in the big William Aston Hall at the university, where we had a big crowd and a great response to the evening. I’ve played there once before (with Phatfish), so it was familiar territory, and a few familiar faces.

Friday night - Liverpool Cathedral. The biggest crowd of the tour (around 800), and definitely the biggest venue! It’s a breathtaking building both outside and in, and it offered Chris, our sound guy, the additional challenge of an 11 second echo…! I played here last year with Keith and Kristyn Getty, so the place was familiar, but this time I had the opportunity to go up the bell tower with the band in the afternoon, and look out over the city from the highest point in Liverpool – enjoyed by everyone except our vertigo-suffering keyboard player…

It was a special night for a number of reasons. My Mum came to the concert, as did a number of old friends. I was also moved and inspired again by the cathedral team’s hospitality, and their commitment to the proclamation of the gospel through the work they do. And I couldn’t help feeling that the profound beauty of the evensong service held in the Lady Chapel a couple of hours before the gig made our efforts pale in comparison…

Saturday night – Yateley. A very different venue for our final gig of the tour – a school hall/gymnasium on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey. Another enthusiastic crowd, and again we were overwhelmed with the hospitality we received. A great end to the tour, although it was a little sad to be breaking up the band after an intense two weeks of travelling, laughing, eating (and drinking),  and playing together.

BUT… I’m hoping we can do it all again in the spring. So if you would be interested in hosting a gig, and have access to a venue that will hold at least 400 people (and think you can fill it!), please get in touch!