Liquid in Liskeard

The Cornish worship event visited the east of the county for the first time in November. Kernowyouth's Phil Hadley was given exclusive access to report the event....

“Lord we lay aside all procedures and doctrines that often get in the way. We come to worship you.” That was the prayer of the Liquid Team as they prayed before the worship event opened in Liskeard Town Hall on November 4th 2006. It had been a long day. They had arrived at 8:30am to set up for this one night event which brings together Christians from across Cornwall. The technical set up for the graphics, lighting and sound had kept the team busy throughout the day. They were working hard. This was Liquid’s first foray into the east of the county and the team wanted everything to be right and to go well. The team are driven by a vision – a vision to see Christians united in praise and worship in Cornwall.

Over two hundred people had collected their free bottle of water and made their way into the auditorium. Sally Timms, Narrowpath’s manager welcomed the audience. “You have been created to worship,” she told the crowd. First up was one of the local church leaders, the Rev Tony Ingleby, who opened proceedings in prayer. “Young Christians can feel like they are on their own in Cornwall. Elijah heard the whisper of God’s voice. May we know your power and your presence Lord, here tonight.”

Next came a local drama group, Selah. Drama was a new departure for Liquid, but the sketch by Selah had the audience captivated. Gareth then read the creed, before the band started with voices only singing “One Way”. As the audience joined in and the song built, so the band joined in lifting everyone to praise. It was straight into “My Saviour Redeemer.”  Kris told the audience “It’s been on our hearts today, God wants you to slow down and seek after him.”

“Joy” was the next song. Even the pensioners sat in the balcony were clapping along to “I love you Lord, I worship you.” Liquid attracts all ages. The audience in Liskeard were probably younger than the previous two in Truro and St Ives. East Cornwall doesn’t have so many Christians as the west. And many of the ones it does have probably couldn’t resist the local firework displays that were on the same night.

Pastor Phillip Warne of the Greenbank Christian Centre read Phillippians Chapter 2 verses 1 to 11. Narrowpath then played “Show Your Power”. Gareth was on harmonica adding a new dimension to the Narrowpath sound. Kris challenged the audience: “Think about what we are saying. We are asking God to show up in power. Let that sink in for a moment. Dare to mean it.”

“Blessed Be Your Name” was the next song. Displayed on the screens at the back of the stage were the words “A choice – whatever, whenever, however – to praise.” As the voices faded the band went into the old hymn “Be Thou My Vision”. This however was a Celtic drumbeat shouting to the Lord. The Cornish flag found its way into the graphics. The drumming and percussion solo in the middle of the hymn was awesome.

The Rev Clare Church of Liskeard Methodist Church read Psalm 8. Then as the band sang “Your Love Oh Lord Reaches To The Heavens” video footage shot around Liskeard was used with the graphics. The station, the town centre, the Parade fruit shop all featured. Kate then prayed: “We drop our baggage before the King of Kings. We are here to worship you. We are here for no other reason.” This was followed by “Beautiful”. As the song ended there was a pause. The silence was tangible. Kris prayed: “Lord we come with such a hunger, a desperation for you to move in our towns and communities. Move in our hearts tonight.”

Gareth moved to the piano as the band covered the Delirious song “Miracle Maker”. “Holy, holy, holy” sang the audience. The song built to a climax and then again the hall was plunged into silence. Kris knelt. Even the drummer got off his stall and knelt. Many of the audience were on their knees or standing with hands raised. This was Liquid. It was not a concert, but an opportunity to meet with God and worship him.

Still on his knees Kris started strumming. Slowly and quietly the audience picked up the song “The Splendour of the King”. Gareth was back on guitar as the song began to build on the chorus. “Sing with me, how great, how great is our God.” The audience was a sea of outstretched hands. Guitar and drums combined to bring the song to a crescendo. “How great, how great is our God.” The crowd applauded but in worship rather than appreciation of the band.

Angie Taylor, the Youth Pastor of Grace Community Church didn’t appear, so Kris went into “Flood”. He sang, “Drown me in your peace, flood me with your love. Drown me in your peace, Lord, flood me with your love.” Andy and Gareth on guitars were sounding good. The Narrowpath sound gets better and better. Kris announces “God’s just getting started and it’s time to end.”

Angie arrived on stage and asked the audience to spend some time in silence to just listen to the Lord. Then she prayed, “Tonight has been all about you, Lord. Do a mighty thing in our lives. Help our focus be right. Wake up our churches. Let us be salt and light.” Kris said, “Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. The ultimate in surfing is a tube. The ultimate in life is Jesus and living for him.” He then provided an opportunity for the audience to respond to God. Then came a reprise of “One Way Jesus”. The audience were jumping. Narrowpath finished with their song “The Source” and got the crowd paddling and surfing along.

The crowd melted away slipping a donation in a bucket to contribute towards the costs of the next Liquid. They were impressed: “This was a quality event.” “The music was superb.” “I just love it when God shows up.”

And so ended the last Liquid of 2006. Christians united together in worship. Procedures and dividing doctrines did not get in the way. God got the glory. The team’s prayer had been answered.

Report by Phil Hadley
November 2006.

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