time , I realized that I , two generations later , was virtually completely removed from their culture . As the service ended my Dad got a twinkle in his eye and said to me , “ I ’ ve got another place I want to show you ” and we slipped out the back and headed towards a small new church plant that was for the local indigenous people who spoke a mixture of Spanish and their indigenous language .
As we approached this simple building on the edge of town , I could hear the song they were singing , and my skin started to tingle . They were singing “ Come Now Is the Time to Worship ” in Spanish accompanied by a number of different instruments and they were dancing around the church . As we slipped in the back I was completely undone . Part of it was the contrast . I had just come from the German service filled with reverent hushed harmony ( which was beautiful and profound ) and now here I was in the middle of this joyful noisy expression that
I had a hand in helping facilitate . They had no idea that the songwriter was standing at the back . That moment has stayed with me as a gift , as did that whole trip I shared with my father .
[ WM ] This song has been like a lifelong friend to you . You have had it in your repertoire for so long . Tell us some of the most meaningful places / times you have sung it ?
[ Brian ] One of the most recent “ special places ” that comes to mind is the Coronation Prom on May 6 , 2023 , at the Royal Albert Hall in London , England . I was invited to be a musical guest artist from Canada for this special event put on by All Souls Church . For over 30 years , that church has put on an annual ‘ Prom Praise ’ event at the Royal Albert Hall ( the largest purpose-built concert hall in the world .) This year they wanted to connect that event to the Coronation of Charles , so they did it there in the evening a few hours after Charles had his coronation service . It was a chance for people of faith to gather in London , pray for their new sovereign and worship the King of kings . They asked me to come and sing a medley of 3 of my songs including ‘ Come now is the time ’. It was quite an experience to sing with a full symphony orchestra and 300 voice choir .
Back on July 15 , 2006 , Noel Richards and others hosted a special worship event called the ‘ Global Gathering ’ at the Berlin Olympic Stadium . I had the privilege of singing ‘ Come ’ there in that stadium . Over the years , there have been some large events in special venues that have been highlights . But there have been so many ‘ ordinary ’ times too – just gathering with our local congregation and inviting people to come as they are into God ’ s presence .
I remember singing it for the first time at a local Anglican congregation in Abbotsford
22 October 2023 Subscribe for Free ...