Nashville, TN) February 24, 2004- Perhaps best known for writing popular worship anthems such as "Trading My Sorrows" and "Let The River Flow," critically acclaimed songwriter and artist-worshipper Darrell Evans recently signed with Spirit-Led Records and is preparing to release his label debut, Consuming Fire: Darrell Evans & Friends, April 6. For the project, Evans assembled an "all-star" line-up of fellow artist-worshippers including Paul Baloche, Charlie Hall, Kevin Prosch, Kate Miner, and Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave.
"I am truly blessed to be able to stand beside these wonderfully talented people in ministry," explains Evans. "I think it's great that all of us can come together for a project like this and it not be about our personal ministries or competition, instead using it as an outlet to be faithful with our God-given gifts for His glory. We don't want to be seen. We want Him to be seen, because this project is all about connecting people to Him."
With Evans at the production helm for the first time, the project was recorded live in front of capacity crowds at World Revival Church in Kansas City and at Trinity Church in Amarillo, capturing the essence of Evans' live concerts more than on any of his previous projects.
"Recording this project was extremely intense because the people in both cities were reaching out to God," explains Evans. "It was apparent that they had a first-hand revelation of God, because they came thankfully and gratefully with their hearts turned toward Him before we even began playing. God loves a seeker, and you can feel that intensity on the album."
With 14 standout tracks, Consuming Fire: Darrell Evans & Friends features several new songs from Evans including "Jesus, I Come To Follow," "Consuming Fire," "Exalted," "Precious Jesus," "The One and Only," "Just As I Am," "Anywhere With You" and a "spontaneous worship" track. The project also features Evans' "Fields Of Grace," which was a top-charting hit for Fervent recording artist Big Daddy Weave, who names Evans as strong influence on "who we are not only as a band, but as worshippers of God."
Paul Baloche, who has been a friend of Evans since the mid-90s after meeting at a songwriter's retreat, contributes "My Reward" to the project. Serving as the worship leader at Community Christian Fellowship Church in Lindale, TX for the past 12 years, Baloche is best know for writing "Open The Eyes Of My Heart" and co-writing "Above All."
Meeting Evans through a sound engineer in Oklahoma City and playing several dates with each other, Charlie Hall lends his voice to Evans' "Exalted." Known for his work on the Passion recordings, Hall is a sixstepsrecords artist-worshipper and the worship director at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City.
As a strong influence on Evans' songwriting in the late-80s through the early 90s, Kevin Prosch contributes his "Harp In My Heart" to the project, in addition to serving as the engineer on the project. Prosch is currently serving as the worship leader at More Church of Amarillo.
Meeting Evans through her work with Malibu Vineyard, Kate Miner contributes her "Dream Before You" to the project and is featured on "Precious Jesus." Miner is perhaps best known for her tutelage of Jason Wade, lead singer of LifeHouse, which has had several mainstream Top 40 hits.
Active in worship ministry for almost two decades, Evans has been a leading voice in the modern worship movement since his debut Hosanna! Integrity album, Let The River Flow, which was nominated for a Dove Award in 1997. Three more critically acclaimed albums followed on Hosanna! Integrity's Vertical Music label including You Are I AM, the Dove-nominated Freedom album (1998) that won Evans the ASCAP "Christian Song of the Year" in 2000 for "You Bless Me" and Trading My Sorrows- The Best Of Darrell Evans.
Selling nearly a quarter of a million units collectively, Evans' music has transcended denominations, reaching Christians worldwide. In 2001, upon the Pope's visit to Toronto, 250,000 Catholic youth gathered to sing three songs for the Pope, for which they chose "Let The River Flow," "Freedom" and "Trading My Sorrows." The event was broadcast live on CNN. A similar experience occurred during the recent War in Iraq as the Fox News Network aired a large gathering of troops singing "Trading My Sorrows" in a worship service.
Despite his successes, Evans' focus continues to be on leading people to a more profound relationship with God through worship, ministering to the body of Christ as a recording artist and as a traveling worship minister throughout the US and abroad. Through forthcoming albums and ministry tours, it's Evans' desire to minister healing and renewal to God's people as they go deeper in the experience and lifestyle of worship.
Founded in 1999, Spirit-Led Records is based in Franklin, TN, and headed by Owner/President Susan Riley. The label is also home to Christian music veteran Kim Hill, who has been nominated for numerous Dove Awards and has had a dozen career number one radio singles.
More information on Darrell Evans and Consuming Fire: Darrell Evans & Friends can be found on the Internet at www.DarrellEvans.com.
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
Experiencing Worship, The Study