Report on Graham Kendrick OOTO Tour

[09.09.2007] The Tour Begins

The Out of the Ordinary tour began last night at a sold out St John's Church (right) in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. There is a great sense of anticipation at the beginning of this tour of what God might do as we all gather together. Last night was a great start as songs of celebration (Psalm 148) led into intercession (Only you deserve the praise) and thanks (What can I do).

The evening included a special presentation by Graham Kendrick for Compassion International giving everyone a chance to sponsor a child.

Every date on the tour is sponsored by Compassion International. For more details visit www.compassionuk.org.

Steve Thompson (MD), Carl McGregor, Raul D'Oliveira, Graham, Andy Pressdee, Mark Willis and Stuart Barbour outside the Caird Hall, Dundee.

[10.09.2007] Out of the Ordinary Tour ...

The Out of the Ordinary tour rolled into Romford, Essex last night. The Salvation Army organised event at the Queens' Theatre was a sell-out. A percentage of the profits raised are going towards an education programme in Zambia.

It is becoming clear that every night on this tour is going to be unique. 2 nights in and both events have been quite different. Graham led the all aged crowd in joyful celebration once again but also gave time for reflection, prayer and personal challenge.

Trumpet player Raul D'Oliveira gave a short testimony and performed his own composition 'Jesus Christ is Lord' - a latin groove that challenges everybody's sense of rhythm!

Graham Kendrick

[21.09.2007] Out of the Ordinary Tour ...

The 'Scottish' leg of the Out of the Ordinary tour began last night in style as the good people of the City of Discovery - Dundee - filled the Caird Hall. Once again there was celebration, which turned to intercession and prayer.

If you think you know Lord I Lift Your Name on high then think again! A, B, C, 1, 2, 3 etc... Every night so far has ended with the 'Shiney Song' as we've come to know it by, but always with good reason - to send us out into where the people are. 20 years on and there is still need for grace and mercy to 'flood the nations'. Tomorrow night Dunfermline and the Vine Church.

Steve Thompson, Carl McGregor, Raul D'Oliveira, Graham, Andy Pressdee, Mark Willis and Stuart Barbour outside the Caird Hall, Dundee.

[27.09.07] Out of the Ordinary Tour ...

Following on from Dundee, the 'Scottish' leg of the Out of the Ordinary tour arrived in Dunfermline, and then on to Strathaven before taking a short drive just south of the border and along Hadrian's Wall to Morpeth.

The old Lemonade Factory in Dunfermline was completely sold out on Saturday night. A recurring event every night so far has been the chance to sponsor a child through Compassion International. The people of Dunfermline 'raised the bar' as the highest number of sponsors so far on this tour signed up to help feed, educate and bring the gospel to a needy child. Perhaps it was the video presentation or maybe the talk by Graham, but probably it was the exhortation by Pastor Jimmy to 'beat Dundee's total'. Competition is always healthy especially when saving the lives of kids is involved.

Another recurring event on this tour has been the second half performances by multi tasking horn player Raul D'Oliveira. Each night Raul gives a brief testimony about how a well placed Gideon Bible changed the course of his life and then sings Jesus Christ is Lord.

The last time Graham came to Strathaven the heavens literally opened and the town was flooded as the rivers overflowed and the Church was hit by lightening. On Sunday night God was moving powerfully through prophetic word and song and there was a special leaning towards being filled with the Holy Spirit as Graham shared of his own experiences closing with Shine Jesus Shine, where the lyrics flow river flow are especially relevant.

One visitor said later 'I haven't been to church since 1994, and was reluctantly pushed into Sunday by a friend - what a night! The way Graham spoke; the way Raul played the trumpet prayer - it was super. I have found God again.'

The final date of this leg found us in the beautiful surroundings of Northumberland in the town of Morpeth. The local Leisure Centre was transformed into a kind of indoor marquee and it was once again sold out.

The night rested heavily on prayer as Graham once again used Only you Deserve The Praise to lead a powerful intercession for the youth of our nation, which led into an impromptu Peace to You which in turn led into a release of joy.

One of the highlights of being in Morpeth was occured even before the event began. In the afternoon Graham and the band were joined by the pupils of St Roberts Catholic School who came to watch us set up and learn a little bit about how being in band works. They then sang to Graham Shine Jesus Shine complete with actions.

It's been said over and over again but it's true - every night has been different and unique - not feasting on yesterday's manna but looking for today's.

The quote of the tour so far has to be...

'The Out of the Ordinary CD has now replaced High School Musical 1 and 2 in our house and car..and it has to be played at full volume.'

Next stop: Harrogate and Wrexham this Friday and Saturday.

Raul D'Oliveira has opened every evening's second half with his own composition 'Jesus Christ is Lord'

[ 04.10.2007 ]Out of the Ordinary Tour ...

With half the band rendezvousing in Essex at 9am at Steve Thompson's home and the rhythm section driving up from Wolverhampton, Harrogate seemed a long way way up the A1, especially on a Friday, but to say it was worth it would be an understatement for what turned out to be, once again, a very unique evening.

Most people attending this tour have not really known what to expect but have gone away very surprised at having enjoyed a challenging and entertaining evening. It's not really a concert and it's not a church service. This is how some described their Friday evening experience...

"very much appreciated the prayerful atmosphere Graham (with the aid of the Holy Spirit) was able to bring into a large conference centre!!!"

"I personally felt such a huge sense of Gods presence and was moved right from the moment of everyone standing up and singing the first song together".

Wrexham's NEWI venue shares it's car park with Wrexham Football Club and the early crowds were there for the win over Lincoln City but the evening crowds were encouraged to use the same kind of enthusiasm and celebration normally reserved for such sporting occasions. Graham's composition based on Psalm 148 is a call to worship and the trumpet sound is a call to celebrate. Creation's King is a further exhortation to give 'Blessing and honour to Creation's King' while What Can I Do calls us to make everything we do a 'Hallelujah'.

The sponsoring of over 120 children through Compassion this weekend was indeed a way of expressing that 'Hallelujah'.

This weekend brings the opportunity to pray in yet another nation as we go to Dublin before heading north to Armagh and Belfast.

Andy, Raul and Graham at Wrexham NEWI.
Pic: Timothy Harman
Used by permission.

[9.10.07] Out of the Ordinary Tour ... The Irish Leg

The Irish Leg of the Out of the Ordinary tour began officially outside the UK as Graham and the band arrived in Dublin. St Patrick's Cathedral is a vast, ornate space and so a 'toned down' sound was appropriate and well received by those in attendance. It is almost the perfect setting for Graham's more acoustic moments and Crucified Man could have been written for such a night.

Driving north to Belfast we were struck by the beauty of the countryside and the serenity of many places we may have only heard of in news bulletins. The event in Belfast was in contrast to Dublin as the venue suited a bigger band and bigger sound. Once again the medley of Only You Deserve the Praise and O Lord the Clouds are Gathering led us into prayer and intercession for the youth of our land.

It was back to a quieter evening on Sunday for St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, where Patrick himself was Bishop in AD 444. Graham played a solo Crucified Man during Evensong and the band joined him later for a memorable evening.

Patrick was the first Bishop of at least one of the Cathedral's now named after him in Armagh.

[9.10.07] Out of the Ordinary Tour.... Final leg

Graham last visited Yeovil Community Church in 2001 during the What Grace tour and it was great to be back at Gateway again to see some familiar faces and enjoy their excellent hospitality and facilities. Some had travelled from as far away as Bristol to enjoy and engage in a challenging and entertaining evening. It was great to have Raul D'Oliveira back on percussion, flugel horn and trumpet as he had missed the Irish leg. Raul improvised a stunning lament on the flugel horn that accompanied a period of prayer once again. There was also a rare playing of Honour The Lord from Out of the Ordinary.

The final night of the tour was by no means an anti-climax as Graham and the band were privileged to be a part of a weekend of events that culminated in a night of worship at the famous Corn Exchange in Cambridge. Local worship leader Wayne Saunders had 'paved the way' earlier in the evening and Graham simply picked up where Wayne had left off.

Every evening on the tour has begun with a vocal/spiritual 'warm up' into the hymn Holy, holy, holy and ended with the prayer song Shine Jesus shine. What happened in between changed every night and hopefully reflected the needs and prayers of those present.

Jesus never said 'All good things must come to an end' but for now the Out of the Ordinary tour has. And as though the continuity was planned, the merchandise table took delivery of Graham's brand new Christmas CD Dreaming of a Holy Night. Hope to see you all soon!!

Graham and Raul rehearse at the Cambridge Corn Exchange