Worship the Focus of Collaborative CD Project
Nate MarialkeNate Marialke is standing on the edge of a new creative venture."Resound" is the title of a five-song CD collection crafted by Marialke and worship leader colleagues.
"Water's Edge Worship is really a family of worship leaders and (song)writers, explained Marialke, worship arts leader at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. "And our church is kind of the hub for that right now."
Leaders from at least ten churches around the world are connected to Water's Edge, although just area artists are part of the new live recording.
The all-original release is the second for the working group, which issued a studio project "Forever Overcome," three years ago.
The songs were to be formally introduced in a CD release concert this month at Central Wesleyan, although that has been put on pause by COVID-19 virus concerns.
A BROAD PERSPECTIVE
Other Michigan churches in the Water's Edge coalition are The Local Church in Grand Rapids (an offshoot/plant of Central), Overflow Church in Benton Harbor and La Roca, a Spanish-speaking church in Holland. Among the international partners are congregations in Cambodia, Ukraine and Jamaica.
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"It's a fellowship, not a denomination," Marialke noted.
"Our long term goal would involve the campuses from father away, sending in songs they've written or maybe actually recording together."
PEOPLE PULLING TOGETHER
A key point person for the new album is Alec Rees, Central Wesleyan's music and production coordinator. Rees studied at Hillsong College in Sydney, Australia, in the shadow of the giant Hillsong Church and its numerous worship music groups.
"He's great and is a liaison between all our (Water's Edge) campuses," said Marialke.
Jordan Koller, pastor of worship culture at The Local Church, is one of the participants in the new project.
For the recording, the worship leaders were joined by a "mini-choir" of vocalists from the Chicago area, adding an urban gospel flavor.
Central worship leader Bre Harris and student worship leader Brook Olson also were significant contributors to "Resound".
A number of the artists performed together last summer in Grand Haven at Worship on the Waterfront (WoW).
THE MUSIC SINGS WORSHIP
“Resound”The title song – "Resound" – is a high energy, pop-influenced anthem with lyrics urging listeners to "make his praise resound."An intriguing piece is "Christ Redeemer." It's a song written by Marialke for a record label several years ago and now given new life by Water's Edge. The song originally was placed on a compilation project and recorded by singer Shelia Walsh and at least one other Christian artist.
"It's had some traction as kind of a modern hymn that people are connecting to," said Marialke.
Another ballad is "No Place Like Your Presence."
The five-song release concludes in a big way with "We Are Ready." Beginning as a keyboard-based ballad, the song with its fusion of modern worship and urban gospel builds to a fiery ending proclaiming, "Holy Spirit, You are moving and we are ready."
Digital pre-orders began March 20. Hard copies are expected to be available at the church.
"Our dream is to provide original music with some depth of lyric to help the church worship and encounter the presence of God," Marialke said.
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