andi oakes

Grace and I have just returned from the worship weekend hosted by the Riverside Elim Church in Bewdley, where we had the real privilege of ministering to many people there.

Situated in a picturesque town situated on the banks of the river Severn, the Riverside Church is a thriving community of Christians who are striving to deepen their walk with Jesus.  All through the weekend we experienced the power of the Holy Spirit among us which culminated with us praying for most of the church as well as with the many visitors who attended the Worship Dynamic seminar on Saturday.  During the seminars themselves, which focused on the spiritual responsibilities and requirements of the worship ministry as well as the practical dynamics of leading worship for a congregation, the sense of God’s presence was very real.  I was also able to pray with some local worship leaders representing different churches in the area and God’s anointing fell on each of one of them in turn, to which we give Jesus all the glory.

The Sunday morning service saw us also pray for many of the sick in the congregation with God’s power being demonstrated, and so we’re looking forward to hearing testimonies of how God has moved in the lives of the people there.

It was a real thrill for Grace and I to be there and we were moved by the overall compassion of the church and the real love that they demonstrated towards us.

If there was one disappointment about the weekend, it was that their Pastor, and our friend Paul Dunn, took ill during the week prior to our visit and ended up in hospital.  We did have a chance to visit him and pray with him before we left however and rejoice to hear that he is now back home again with his wonderful family and is on the mend.

Grace and I both rejoice in the fact that there are now new people in our lives as a result of this weekend who we now consider friends and part of our ever extending church family.  As Bill Hybels quite often says “There’s no place like the local Church, when the local church is working right.”

Andi

Well I have returned from Nashville where I had the awesome privilege of working with probably some of the best musicians in the world on the new album.  The project sounds great and everyone is excited about its imminent release.  There are still a few things to tie up but everything is going smoothly so far. 

It was a thrill for me to finally meet up with my producer Randy Stalls and spend some quality time with him.  He is a wise and kind man of God whose heart is set on serving the Lord through music and equipping and encouraging others to do the same.  From the moment we met I felt a powerful connection between us and felt so at home. 

Tennessee is a beautiful State and the people wonderful and it really has been a thrill for me to spend some time there, and Grace and I are looking forward to beginning the work that God has called us to do there.  It will be an honour to serve God among the people of the US.

You can expect some changes to my website in the weeks to come as we all gear up for the launch of the new album.  We’re all focused on taking the ministry up to the next level, so keep calling back and…be encouraged.

I leave on the 6th of May to fly to Nashville to begin the recording of the new project. All the pre-production stuff is going on as I type and the excitement is building and we're praying for as well as expecting an anointed time in the studio. There's some really great musicians and technicians being recruited for the album, which is all being co-ordinated by Randy Stalls and his team at the Vision Quest Music Group.

I'll keep you posted on the progress of the album - so we appreciate your prayers and support.

Blessings

Andi

It’s always my great privilege to lead worship at the “If my people” events, organised by my friends at Crown Jesus ministries.  Not only do I get to work with a great band, but I’m also part of something immensely greater than even what takes place on these fantastic evenings.  These events are focused on mobilising people throughout Ireland to pray for our island, and even though these nights in themselves are only a mere drop in the ocean, so to speak; I really believe we are playing our part in a larger spiritual drama that is playing out in the emerald isle.  It is just so exciting to be a part of what God is doing in Ireland in these days.

The event will take place on Friday the 23^rd of November in St. Marks in Dublin, in the south of Ireland; and will be followed by its sister event in Belfast in the north the next night on the 24^th, in the Spires conference Centre, right in the heart of Belfast.

These are exciting and challenging days in Ireland.  Many of us have been hearing of how God has been speaking to His church, in preparation for what we believe He wants to do on this island and in our communities, and so it’s a real joy to be working with the guys from Crown Jesus ministries at this time.  Drop by their web site for more information.

When I was sixteen, and new in the faith, I believe God gave me a passage that I felt was speaking about Ireland, and specifically where He would begin His work of revival, the south.  Here’s the passage:

“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face towards the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland.  Say to the southern forest: “Here the word of the Lord.  This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry.  The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it.  Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.””

Ezekiel 20 v 45 – 48  NIV

Perhaps we are living in the days when God is setting this Island alight?