There was a buzz of excitement and expectation from the beginning as they opened in a prayer that we would be drawn nearer to God and to each other. Dave and his band started the evening with a lively set, which included old favourites and new songs from his recently released album.

Many of the news songs had powerful South African, Kenyan and Jamaican Caribbean rhythms, which set people dancing all over the Centre. His lyrics stressed the glory of God and our worship of him, and his opening and closing songs "Our God is great" and "How wonderful, how glorious is the Love of God" summed it all up perfectly! For me the highlight was a wonderful solo by one of the band members, Lizzie….. –"Oh what mercy" which pointed us all to the Cross, and made us remember we should all be on our knees at the Cross – "so amazed that there is grace enough" for each and every one of us.

After the interval, Robin Mark from Belfast took the stage, with his wonderful blend of humour (who can forget the John Wesley song!), straight talking and informality. His music has strong Celtic influences and the talents of the fiddle and pipe players are always used beautifully. He also writes music which bears comparison with the song-style and down to earth lyrics of Bruce Springstein, an influence he readily acknowledges. The popular anthem "Revival" is the best example of this, taking of the lives of everyday people and their hopes and dreams, which can only be met at the "wonderful cross" of Jesus.

If I had to pick out his main emphasis on the night, it would be our calling to love and help the lost and afraid- "Every man and woman, every old and young, every Father’s daughter, every Mother’s son". His set concluded with rousing renditions of two of his songs which have become standards in the modern Church – "The Lion of Judah", and "These are the days of Elijah".

The evening finished with the two bands joining together to lead us in "All hail the Lamb", and "Abba Father". As the instruments were put down, the unaccompanied voices of men, women and children, echoed through the hall in the final chorus "Jesus, all for Jesus" in a simple statement of faith stemming from thankful hearts of all ages

"All of my ambitions, hopes and plans, I surrender them into your hands, For it’s only in your will that I am free".

Pat Sewell