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Fresh faced 24 year-old worship leader Tim Hughes might downplay the heartfelt endorsement offered by his friend, mentor, and Soul Survivor youth ministry colleague Matt Redman. A modest English native from the town of High Wycombe, Hughes isn't motivated by self-focus, but a deep desire to simply blend in and contribute to the Body of Christ at home and worldwide.
"I would never personally use the word 'artist' to describe myself," he admits. "I'm a worship leader, and I write songs to fuel the church."
Now, after appearances on the influential Revival Generation, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Volumes 1 and 2) and most recently, All Around The World, Hughes is adding more fuel with his debut solo album, Here I Am to Worship. Produced by Dwayne Larring and Jason Halbert (formerly of Sonicflood), this melodically driven release sounds at home in a sanctuary and on pop radio. Instinctively rooted in Hughes' church upbringing, it is unmistakably hopeful and reverent, and flourished with the stylistic influences of music makers like The Beatles, U2, and Travis.
The son of an Anglican pastor, Tim Hughes can vividly retrace the steps leading him into worship ministry. At age 11, his first encounter with a genuine display of abandoned corporate praise singing at summer camp led him to profess his own Christian faith. Five years later, Tim enthusiastically attended one of the premiere festivals put on by the Soul Survivor global youth ministry, the organization for which he now leads worship, and soaked up the passionate challenge to reach his own generation for Christ through music. At 18, feeling a call to write songs, Tim spent a year in South Africa working with kids and leading worship, honing his craft and playing favorites from Matt Redman, Delirious?, and Vineyard Music.
Through his work today with Soul Survivor, Hughes continues reaching out primarily to the 15 - 24 age group; a demographic that registers just 2% church attendance in England. From experience, he knows how hard it is to be a minority Christian when so many other people are choosing stereotypically destructive lifestyles. But the songs from Here I Am to Worship insist on clinging to a path of righteousness.
"We need to surrender everything - that's worship," says Hughes, explaining his Psalm 119 inspired anthem "May the Words of My Mouth."
"We need to be God focused, not me focused," he insists, pinpointing the essence of opening rocker "Maker of All Things."
Elsewhere, Tim relates to the Bible story of Mary and Martha on "If There's One Thing," where the importance of worship is clearly, urgently emphasized. He also found knowledge for the song from author Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, which teaches, "Worship first, service second."
But the album's centerpiece has to be the title track, a song that captures the excitement and urgency in today's growing churches.
"'Here I Am to Worship' is the one that really has taken off," Hughes explains appreciatively. "It's a love song, wherein I'm not sure what to do, but I know I'll do anything for the Lord. At the Worship Together Conference in Houston, we led the song, and then the crowd just kept on singing it for five minutes after we had finished."
For Tim Hughes, that scenario leads to the ultimate satisfaction for him as a worship leader.
"It's the highest compliment when it's obvious that the audience has been focused on worshipping God, and not the performers. I love meeting people out front after the Soul Survivor events that don't recognize me from having been on stage, or I see people that I do know who say, 'Oh, I didn't even know you were up there.'"
Such humility encapsulates Hughes: a single guy who loves sports, describes himself as "laid back and quite content," and places a high priority on staying committed to his home church just outside of London where he still serves as a worship pastor.
"It's good to have that foundation," he says with an intent smile. "How could I keep on teaching others about leading worship if I didn't actually continue doing so myself with my own church family?"
So, score another point for those who practice what they preach. And in keeping with the insistent modesty of Tim Hughes and his Here I Am to Worship debut album; don't pay too close attention to the man behind the microphone. But consider a few more words from his friend Matt Redman:
"Tim has a real gift to lead worship, and an inspired way of writing songs for the saints to sing. But even more than this, I admire him for his humility, and passion for God. Someone recently said that the real test these days isn't in the writing and producing of new and great music; the real test is in the Godliness of those who deliver it. Tim is a man most definitely running in the right direction. Behind these fresh new songs is a faithful heart." |
