MUSIC

MUSIC

And a Child Shall Lead…Worship

Kids in Worship

By Frank and Betsy Hernandez, Sparrow.

In an effort to create a resource to teach children how to worship, children’s ministry veterans Frank and Betsy Hernandez created Kids in Worship, an inspirational release that features children leading worship. The Hernandezes say, “Children need their own worship songs that use spiritual vocabulary they can easily understand.” Frank Hernandez, who with his wife created the award-winning Bullfrogs and Butterflies and The Music Machine, wrote most of the songs on the disc. But favorites such as “We Want to See Jesus Lifted High” also mark the release.

The upbeat “Jesus Is the Rock” makes you want to dance and rejoice in the Lord. The short, simple “A Gift to You” encourages the listener yet makes its message clear: Everything you do is a gift to the Lord.

The worshipers–all children–successfully let others know through their lyrics that Jesus is stronger, wiser, richer and greater than any other King. They are energetic in their worship and exhibit a genuine passion for God.

Kids in Worship teaches children that God is big–but not too big for kids. Instead of learning to “be like Mike,” children learn that it’s better to be just like Jesus. –Faith L. Lowe

A Family Reunion

Family Affair

By Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, Verity.

To commemorate his 15 years in music ministry, Grammy Award- winner Hezekiah Walker made his latest musical offering a Family Affair, bringing “everyone in the Hezekiah Walker family together, Love Fellowship Crusade, Love Fellowship Celebration, Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choirs and my new group, Love Unlimited,” he says.

Family Affair offers Walker’s signature sound, integrating a traditional choir sound with a taste of hip-hop and R&B. “Power Belongs to God” and “Wonderful Is Your Name” have irresistible grooves guaranteed to move your spirit and your feet.

The release also offers powerful ministry with “The Will of God,” featuring Walker’s wife, evangelist Monique Walker, and the soulful ballad “Oh I Feel Jesus” featuring gospel songwriter-producer Donald Lawrence. Walker also pays a musical tribute to the late O’landa Draper–who died of kidney failure in July 1998–on the Spirit-charged “I’ve Got a Reason.”

Among the studio tracks, Family Affair’s biggest ear-catcher is “Let’s Dance” featuring R&B vocalist Dave Holister and the hard-hitting production of James Moss, who has worked with such artists as Karen Clark-Sheard and Men of Standard.

Family Affair is a unique departure from Walker’s previous releases, but it is destined to be a hit gospel jam that will make listeners bob their heads. One of the industry’s most anticipated albums, Family Affair is one of Walker’s finest works to date. –Twanna Powell

With the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy approaching, Bruce Porter believes America hasn’t come to grips with the underlying causes of the vengeful attack that claimed 15 lives Apr. 20, 1999. Instead of acknowledging America’s moral decline, the Littleton, Colo., pastor sees people using school violence to further political agendas–or simply ignoring the truth.

Author of The Martyrs’ Torch: The Message of the Columbine Massacre (Destiny Image), Porter believes America has hit the snooze button, but he says the alarm’s going to go off again. The book reveals how dangerously close a propane bomb came to causing much worse carnage at the Colorado high school. It warns that without a turn back to God, America is doomed.

As the pastor of Beth Nimmo, mother of victim Rachel Scott, Porter spoke at Scott’s funeral and issued a call for young people to pick up the torch she carried. At more than a dozen youth rallies since, thousands have taken that pledge. Though he admits Columbine hasn’t sparked revival, Porter says: “I’ve seen a hunger unfolding in the hearts of kids who are fed up with religious pabulum and are interested in relationship [with Christ]. It’s a small movement, but I see the beginnings of it.”

–Ken Walker

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Book Explores Lessons of Columbine