2 words can sum up last night’s concert in Bognor to pray for my good friend Tom Mills (who is seriously ill) and to help support his family…. ‘very special.’

The Church building was nicely full of all ages and I managed to squeeze in about 25 of my most ‘sing-a-long-able’ songs in just over the hour.

My daughter Suzy taught the actions to some of the songs whilst some of the children including my grandson Kobie came out and assisted her. It was like turning the clock back 20 or 30 years but not in a nostalgic way, in a praising way that I feel God really enjoyed along with us.

After watching the Youtube video of Tom powerfully singing ‘Bartimaeus’ for me at Spring Harvest with the Revival Band (Do watch it if you have not yet seen it) whilst I was in hospital, we prayed for Tom and took up an offering. People gave really generously and the total sum collected was far more than I expected and will definitely be a great help to the Mills family over the Christmas period.

Thanks to brother Timbo on bass and Tom’s dad Des on drums and the participation of all present…and most of all God being with us, it was an exceptional evening.

Don’t forget everyone, this Saturday (8th) I will be doing a special concert to help support Tom and Fiona Mills and their family as my good friend Tom is suffering severe cancer.

It will be held at Bognor Baptist Church (Victoria Drive) from 7.30-8.30pm and will be all fun and all praise and suitable for both adults and all ages of children.

It will be free but an offering will be taken to help financially support the Mills family.
I’m also going to invite our Suzy along to teach us some of the fun actions that go with the songs!

Also to let you know that the Scripture Song Concert on Sunday held at St Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted instead of their usual family service worked an absolute treat for all ages present.

So if your Church is adventurous and would fancy keeping all ages together one Sunday morning and having an hour long, fun, musical Bible Study instead of your normal family service, please give me a shout!

2019…Here we come!
As I wind down after a very exciting and busy year of travelling, concerts, praise parties and meeting lovely people, I am now really looking forward to see what different adventures 2019 hold!

Already I am planning to be in Chichester in January, Southampton in February, Crawley, Enfield and Bishop Auckland in March, at the Spring Harvests in Minehead, Skegness and Harrogate in April, Swindon and Alfold in May and Bristol in June. Really excited!

But of course there is still room for plenty more visits to Churches up and down the country on weeknights or weekends. Everything I am doing nowadays I’ve made suitable for all ages to enjoy, a great way to bring the whole family of God together for something special.

As I’m sure your leaders and Churches are now making plans for 2019…get them to drop me an e mail if they are in the slightest bit interested in a visit and I will send more details.
ishmael@ishmael.org.uk

By the way, I am at St Mary Magdalenes Church in South Bersted this Sunday morning at 10.30am.
If you live locally and fancy going to a ‘very different’ Sunday Service, I will be doing my Scripture song concert for them that morning.
All ages will enjoy it as well as learning a lot more about the Bible by being there!

The tour this week begins on Thursday November 22nd at the New life Church in Crewe where I will be doing a Praise Party for the young children at 6.00pm followed by the new ‘History of Ishmael’ double concert at 7.30pm.

On Friday I will be at the Stafford Elim Christian Centre for the ‘Scripture Song’ concert beginning at 7.30pm

Then over the weekend I will be at the Holy Trinity Church in Shrewsbury on Saturday for a Praise Party for the younger children at 3.00pm followed by the ‘Scripture Song’ concert at 6.30pm.
I will be staying over and leading an all age service at Holy Trinity at 10.30am on the Sunday morning.

What a great week lined up! Do join us if you live anywhere near any of the above.
Both of the 7.30 concerts will be over by 9.00pm if you are considering bringing children.

During 2019 I will still be touring with the ‘double’ concert. This is a mix of my ‘Sting in the Tale’ testimony concert and my ‘Glorie Days’ concert telling exciting stories and singing songs linked with my 35 years in children’s ministry.

Later in the year comes the ‘Big Celebration’ concert where I will be wanting you to join me singing and praising God for allowing me to be 50 years on the road (in ministry) and 70 years on the earth (in living).

But also I will be doing will be the ‘Scripture Song’ concert, which is both fun and learning for all ages and has proved very popular.

That being the case…heres a little quiz for some of you.

Here are some of the Scripture Songs that I will be reviving ‘live’ on the night…can you remember any of them?

We will praise, we will praise, we will praise the Lord / Hebrews 11 v 6 / 3.9.thirty nine / the creation song / delight yourself in the Lord / in the 16th verse / the New Testament song / 5000 plus / old friends, new friends / Corinthian gifts / Galatian fruit / for if you forgive men / do not store up treasures / don’t be afraid / thank you Lord for the food / Jesus said let little children / the Lords prayer / Jehovah Jireh / put on the sword of the Spirit / we believe in Hebrews 13:8 / though the grass may wither / why do you look here / my God shall supply / Jesus said if you have faith / you never put a light / Father God I wonder and the Lord bless you.

A night to remember (literally) and still plenty of dates available in 2019 if you fancy a visit and a very special all age ‘musical Bible Study.’

An endorsement from an organiser.
The Scripture Songs concert felt like spending time with a mate who was helping you revise for an exam, a mate who has a guitar and a talent for putting the study material to catchy tunes. I’d have liked more people to have come but a small group worked very well with the acoustic set, better than a more lavish production would have done. Zirane Billam (St Philips Church, Bradford)