Liquid 03 - St Ives

The Narrowpath tour of worship events around Cornwall rolled into St Ives on May 20th. Kernowyouth's Phil Hadley was allowed exclusive pre-event and backstage access to file this report...

When you have a passion to serve God and his people it often means you put in hours of work that no one sees but everyone takes for granted. The day for Narrowpath started when they arrived at the venue at 9:00am. Preparing the venue, rigging the projection equipment, sorting the lights, adjusting the sound are those thankless tasks that take hours. "It's been a long day," said Kris Lannen the lead singer, as I rolled in at 6pm.

Narrowpath have a vision to see the name of Jesus lifted high in the lives of the people of Cornwall. They feel these are exciting times for the county and are working flat out to see God's kingdom built. I join their manager Sally Timms as she gives the stewards a tour of the building and an essential briefing. There's an air of excitement as no one knows how big this travelling worship experience will get. Over 100 people had to be turned away from the last event in Truro.

The team are then called together for a time of communion. As the bread and wine are shared, Kate reads some Scripture and reminds everyone that the whole evening is "to serve the Lord." Band members and stewards, technicians and musicians pray for one another. There is a sense of unity and purpose that is almost tangible. Gareth calls the time to a close saying, "It's great to see brothers and sisters being the kingdom of God, but the doors open in fifteen minutes!"

Outside the crowds are gathering, filling the pavement and spilling into the road. There's an expectant buzz amongst them. Some have made sure they are early so they don't miss out if the venue fills to capacity. Inside Sally is briefing the church leaders who will provide the Bible readings during the evening. The fact that the event is supported by a wide range of churches is one of its strengths.

And then the doors are opened. The crowds stream in, collecting a free bottle of water on their way into the auditorium. To the sound of pulsating dance music Andy's awesome graphics fill the six giant screens. "Tonight is an open door, chose to go through it.... tonight is an offering, how much of you to give.... this is holy ground, how should you respond.... this is a furnace, do you know who you are?" The visuals are part of what makes this event. Andy, who creates many of the graphics, admitted it took "a while." His inspiration comes from taking perhaps a line of the song, or the theme of the song and communicating that message in words and images.

Sally Timm's welcomes the audience, two thirds of them new to Liquid. She prays, "Lord, we are expectant of You. Jesus, your name be lifted on high." Gareth Dix is then reading the statement of faith - a declaration of Christian belief that has started the last two events. John Berriman, the pastor at the Vine, the Elim church in St Ives, reads Acts chapter 2... "I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me." Having had a small glimpse of the service rendered to put this event on I tell myself we're due to get an out-pouring this evening.

As the opening chords play Kate tells the crowd, "We have come to worship the same God who poured out His Spirit then." Everyone's on their feet singing "Come, now is the time to worship."
This is followed quickly by "Did you feel the mountains tremble?" Narrowpath's sound is full and rich, guitar dominated, but with the flute soaring through in the mellower moments.

Philippians chapter 2 is the reading brought by Andrew Couch of St Ives and Halsetown Anglican church. Then the screen erupt in a powerful image of Jesus on the cross as the band strike up "One Way". The sound is loud. The audience are on their feet. They are up for it. They make you believe that "he's the only one they could ever live for!"

This is followed by "My Saviour Redeemer." At the end of the song the band break it down and the audience's voices blend with the band. It's straight into "Lift up His name" and the auditorium is a sea of hands raised to the heavens. Narrowpath finish the song with voices only singing the chorus. The applause is rapturous and heartfelt.

Bill Reed from Fore Street Methodist Church in St Ives reads from Ephesians chapter 3. This leads into the mellow "You are beautiful."  During the song Kate tells the near capacity audience "Jesus has created each one of us as beautiful. He calls us beautiful, and He wants you to know He created you for something beautiful." The audience respond by singing "So beautiful Jesus, I need you like the rain, come to me and sing again."

Matt Redman's song "Facedown" shows off Kate and Kris's powerful voices. Some of the audience are on their knees, faces covered, praying and worshipping. Kris prays, "We hunger for you God. Do something new Jesus. Break into this night Lord. Holy Spirit, this is your night." He tells the crowd, "Take time to wait on God. I encourage you to let God do stuff. At such a time as this, God wants to move in this county." Some prayed, some stood, some knelt. Kate assured us "God is most kind, compassionate and merciful. God is for you and not against you. God wants to walk with us. He knocks. He comes in in a gentlemanly, kind way. He doesn't force Himself on your souls."

Gareth Dix, who had family and friends who had travelled down from Wales for the event in the audience, then took the mic and sang "Watch me rise when I fall". Kris asks any who want to give their lives to Jesus to walk to the front. Several do to great applause. Kris prays, "Fill us up so we'll go back to our churches and towns with a passion for you. Stoke the fire in our hearts Lord Jesus." Gareth sings the song again. Kate tells those who became Christians "It's the best!"

Next came "How great is our God." The guitars racked it up and I'm sure the sound would have carried far across the harbour. "Come sing with me, how great, how great is our God." As the song ends Kris leads the audience into a vocals only chorus of the hymn "How great Thou art" Band and audience worship as one. "I don't want to stop," Kris says. "We want to unite this county in praise and worship."

The final song was one of Narrowpath's own. It was called "The Source." It got the audience jumping and clapping and clamouring for more. But the night was over - at least for the audience. They bought their tee-shirts, a few of the younger ones sought autographs. Some sat with members of the prayer team and talked and prayed.

"Wasn't it wonderful?" said David on his way out. "It was a brilliant experience," said Alex from Hayle. "The best concert I've been to," he added. "It was brilliant," Dawn's mum told me.

Inside the band were already hard at work packing away instruments and rolling cables. The tekkies were closing down the computers. Another couple of hours as everything was dismantled, packed away and taken out to the transport.

Narrowpath don't just have a vision, they have a vehicle through which that vision is becoming a reality. Just under five hundred people were at Liquid in St Ives, 300 in Truro, 210 in Wadebridge. The next venue to hold a thousand? Cornish praise and worship at the Hall for Cornwall? A county united in praise and worship. God is doing something in our county. Make sure you don't miss out.

Report & photos by Phil Hadley
(c) Kernowyouth 2006.

Make sure you click on the Photo Gallery to see Phil's full gallery of the evening's action.