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It's not an unhealthy predicament to be in - forced to find a new church home because over 30,000 are
cramming into current weekly services!
So it is with the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas - known to millions through their dynamic cable and satellite TV relays - who will be moving to their recently
purchased 18,000 seater Compaq center in 2004.
Director of worship is Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff, a prolific song-writer and producer (with the Cruse family ministry she previously travelled the world,
contributing to no less than 25 albums and winning two Dove Awards!), who not only composed the majority of these brand new songs in conjunction with worship partner Israel Houghton, but also dons striking lead vocals
on most of them. The sound is full and accomplished (what else do we expect from Integrity?), with rich choral backing and equally strong brass and string sections. So come the first four tracks, in form bold,
celebratory and not a touch compelling! Better still is 'I will sing' which begins innocently then explodes into a powerful acclamation of God's glory; and the more methodical, but equally potent
'Lift your voice..', which brings Marcos Witt to the fore with his emotive Spanish voice.
Maestro Alvin Slaughter makes appearance on one track too, and while the striking, 'prophetic'
title-track is more loud than melodic, the closing 'Gloria' comes with a swinging Latino-jazz rhythm! Plenty of diversity here then, and plenty to encourage and inspire. Though the church is known for it's
'word of faith' leanings, there's little in these God-focused declarations that anyone could find fault with. Rousing, touching music all round!
Review by tom lennie - May 2002 |
