The International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, unveils the new live project, Fully Alive, as they deliver a collection of collaborated praise and worship tracks, expressing the style of worship that brings them into the glorious presence of God through the act of worship. Different worship leaders and musicians come along side one another and share in fellowship as they lift their hearts before God, attempting to record the session to remember the experience. Many have shared in the Forerunner Music worship experience, including Abi Bennett, Sammie Lee, Laura Hackett Park, Jaye Thomas, Brandon Oaks, Jonas Park, David Forlu, and recording artist Jon Thurlow among others.
As popular worship single "Awake My Soul" initiates getting the experience off the ground, it disappoints as it could have been longer to open and prepare the heart before God. Lasting only a little longer than a minute, the listener is lifted into a state of worship as they anticipate the presence of God just in time for the track to fade off. It's as if the song is just a sampler to the full track as it quickly dives right into the next title, "Fingerprints," which offers a melodic sound. "Fingerprints" should have opened the album and carried the title track, "Fully Alive," since the lyrics pull more toward that idea. The first time through the album didn't leave a much of an impression. However, if you allow a few more spins, a connection starts to form with songs, such as "Heart's Celebration" and "Fill Us With Glory."
"Drawing Close" switches vocals up, explaining the love God has for us, and beckons us to reach out to understand. As any new worship song springs an immediate rejection at first, most listeners are quick to dismiss new worship songs, feeling overwhelmed with not knowing the lyrics. The only issue with ongoing popular worship songs leaves the possibility of staying within the confines of our own comfort zones. Allowing new worship to penetrate the heart welcomes God to speak in a new and real way, whereas the more familiar songs threaten to leave stale words within an impenetrable heart. New music resonates with the soul, reminding us that worship is created for God and not based on our comfort levels.
Jonas Park pulls the listener into "Grateful Love," with lyrics stretching to our hearts, "Find me here, you pull me close so near, calming my every fear, you don't reject / Kindness comes, deep undeserving love, breaking the rules to come rescue me here." Park follows it with a continuous cry to Jesus that He has won my heart in the chorus, "Jesus, oh my Lord, You have won me, won my heart over and over and I won't hold it back on my love for You." When you allow this song to soak within the soul, you can't help but reflect on the Gospel and how Christ came to our rescue.
The overall essence and atmosphere of the record compares to those of Elevation Worship and Hillsong by bringing the church worship experience to any listener who has an attitude of surrender to God. However, there is not an element of separation as a band, creatively speaking, with Fully Alive, as it doesn't offer a unique sound of its own. It's still enjoyable and a stretch to allow new lyrics to flow within the heart.
JFH Reader Review: Review date: 4/22/18, written by Joe McFarland for Jesusfreakhideout.comRecord Label: Forerunner Music/The Fuel Music
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