One of the biggest challenges we face as worship leaders is trying to keep the worship of Jesus fresh week after week. And this challenge produces everything from the sublime to the ridiculous as we try ‘new things’ every week. The Hebrew word for ‘new’ is the wonderful word: chadash, which means ‘new or a fresh, new thing’. But it comes from a root word which means ‘to be new or to rebuild, renew, or repair’.

Sometimes it is tempting to throw out the old for the new, but I believe God is calling us to not only keep it fresh in our corporate times of worship but also to rebuild, renew and even repair our songs and our  expressions of worship.

I love trying new things while still honoring the old, tried and proven. Over the years, I have compiled a list of new and fresh ideas that I have either tried or I have seen others do successfully to ‘keep it fresh’ in our worship.

I should mention that I don’t believe in doing new stuff just because I’m bored or the people are bored. I do believe in provoking all of us to hear great songs with new ears. Sometimes due to repetition, our ears become dull to the words of the powerful songs we are singing. So I like to put a fresh coat of paint on each song so we can ‘see’ it with new eyes.  To awaken the worshiper in each one of us, is one of the highest goals of a worship leader.

So consider these ideas (because of space I will just give you a few):

• Change the words or word of a song
• Fast songs slow/slow songs fast
• Hum while someone speaks the words- whispering
• Men only/women only/children only/over 40 only/blondes only etc.
• Children’s choirs/senior choir/bell choir/brass choir/string choir/bluegrass/Dixieland band
• Have a child start the song
• Antiphonal choirs (put one in the balcony)
• A capella (no instruments or just one solo instument)
• Different language
• Soloist in congregation
• Singers surround congregation
• Solo instruments (look for unique instruments in the congregation ie bagpipes)
• Drum cadence
• Have a couple lead worship

Okay, that’s just a few. Later I will give you some more radical ideas. But in the meantime, keep it fresh and sing a ‘new’ ‘chadash‘ song to the Lord. He loves it.

Be creative, and have a Great New Year!

Dr. Tim Smith

Remember: Contributions are tax-exempt at Worship Without Borders!

©2011 SongSmith Ministries

I was honored to join Mike and Marsha Herron in Beirut, Lebanon for a benefit concert at the UNESCO hall for the Bible Society of Lebanon on December 5. After ministering in a Baptist Church on Sunday, Mike and I rehearsed for a couple of days and then performed his ‘Prince of Peace’ concert on Monday night. It was very well attended and greatly received by all. We had some national talent singing and performing with us throughout the evening so it was very special. Mike weaved his songs in with some Christmas standards for a great mix of new and old. I joined him for seven songs on the cello and got to play the piano accompaniment to a wonderful soprano on ‘O Holy Night’.

Beirut is a very picturesque city that sits on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. What a beautiful view we had from our ‘hotel’ way up on the hill above the city. We hope to go back in the future for other endeavors to encourage the wonderful people of Lebanon.

Antalya, Turkey

Following the concert, Mike, Marsha and I flew onto Turkey for a week-long worship conference with about 200 pastors and leaders from all over Turkey, as well as Brazil, UK, Norway, Belgium, Jordan and others. The setting of the beautiful hotel was idyllic to say the least and gave us a pleasant background to worship God together for four days. Joining us for the ministry were many brothers from Brazil (Asaph Borba from Porto Alegre, Brazil was the leader) and a brother from Jordan.

From the very beginning you could tell this would be a very special week as they joined wholeheartedly into the time of worship with a Brazilian flavor! Then Mike shared on the ‘Earthquake of Praise’ (being very prophetically significant since a devastating earthquake had just hit Turkey a few days before) with a great response of worship at the end.

Each morning was given to worship, powerful sharing by local pastors as well as preaching and teaching from the team. We heard some amazing words from these great pastors as well as our Brazilian brothers. Profound would be an understatement for what God was doing. I got to share the first morning on flowing in worship as a team and then in the afternoon with Piano in Worship. You could see the lights coming on for the musicians in the workshop and many were able to get my book/DVD Piano in Worship to further their study and release for worship on the keys.

There were two workshops related to Turkish music, instruments and arts used in worship in Turkey and this a fascinating discussion similar to many nations around the world – integrating the indigenous instruments, styles, songs and expressions into contemporary usage in the church. This is an especially daunting task in Turkey since the instruments, scales, rhythms and pitches are much different than western-style musical expressions. And the instruments are much softer (though some have pickups now for amplification). We experienced the beauty of the ‘oud’ (turkish lute) and the saz in traditional music and heard 10/8 meter and even 19/8 in some of their songs! Natural to them, exotic to us.

The response overall was wonderful and gratifying, knowing we have connected significantly in this great land. We are working on follow-up and more resources to come their way to allow the seeds sown from this short time together, to grow and mature into the song that God wants to release in Turkey. His church, though small in size, will flourish even in this land and His song will be released in city after city by the wonderful grace of Jesus. We will return to continue to breathe on these churches and leaders.

After this significant week in Antalya, we returned to Istanbul for a short day of sightseeing and enjoying the cuisine and music of Turkey before we returned.

All in all, a great 12 days of ministry, song and blessing. I want to thank Pastor Mike Herron and Asaph Borba for inviting me to join in this wonderful time with their team. And thank you to all the pray-ers out there and supporters who make these adventures possible. Your sacrifice is touching lives around the world! To God be the glory!

in Him,

Dr. Tim Smith

October 18

There were over 10,000 in attendance on this first night! Todd and I ministered in the middle of the program with three songs hand-chosen for this special occasion: Our God (Tomlin), Here in Your Presence (Egan), and Holy, Holy Holy Lord. We had procured a nice cello from Delhi (from a Jewish synagogue) and so I was able to play to my heart’s content. I started off with the Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suite #1 Prelude that lead into some improv and free worship that ultimately lead into ‘Our God’. Then we flowed into ‘Here in Your Presence’ with Rahul Patrick joining us with some great guitar riffs, followed by the classic Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (God of Power and Might) where we released Todd’s trumpet. It really kicked! Such an honor to be a part of this great event! (side point: the cello A string broke the night before and we found out a guitar B string works on a cello! Take note all you aspiring cellists!)

Famous Indian comedian, Johnny Lever, shared a funny and powerful testimony of God’s redemption in his life followed with an altar call with hundreds responding to the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

October 19

The next morning the United Fellowship Conference started (over 3000 Indian pastors and leaders). I had the privilege of leading worship in the opening service. Though we sang mostly in English, the response was encouraging and we even sang some in Hindi! Pastor Erik Rangel from Yuma, Arizona preached an amazing word to open the conference – to love one another as Christ loved us! Simple yet profound – great response. Then it was a great set of Hindi songs followed by more speakers and great responses.

In the evening the conference continued with more worship, special music and special speakers in this beautiful conference grounds (it sleeps, feeds and seats more than 8000)

October 20

The second day of the conference we were once again honored to lead in worship this amazing group of pastors and leaders from all over India. Their response was amazing and we introduced a little more Hindi songs. What a flow! In the afternoon I taught over 400 leaders and worship leaders on prophetic music and worship. It was delightful to see them let loose with their own songs again and again, ending with singing a prayer of blessing over those around them. The Holy Spirit truly moved among us and stirred the deep longings for His presence and His voice in the congregation! That night Todd and I lead worship for the whole conference in the main arena (complete with lights and bugs of every imaginable size and shape) and had a powerful time blending our voices with theirs, releasing a great sound of worship. Todd then preached on the Jesus, the Light of India!

October 21

The final morning, during the worship (in Hindi) we heard the sweet sound of pure and spontaneous worship. It floated through the air so effortlessly and beautifully that we easily could have stayed there all day and no one would complain. It’s humbling to see the fruit of  the seeds we have sown in the worship here. The worship team sat beautifully on a simple chord progression and no one was in a hurry. No clapping, no shouting, just pure adoration. Then we (all the speakers) were brought up to the front of the conference to honor us and pray for us. A tremendous honor and humbling, knowing the great sacrifice of these wonderful people who sat in front of us! God is doing a powerful work in India through these and countless others all over this land. Big thank you to Brother Tony, Mark Smucker, Pastors Michael, Rocky, Patrick, Shanu, Nixon (amazing meals), Marvin (on the sound), new friends Sally Guest and her father Ross Davies from New Zealand and countless others who blessed us in so many ways! It was also wonderful to see so many of the students from the International School of Worship there!

Click here for Video: India 2011 Part 1  – Lucknow

October 22

The next morning we took an ‘interesting’ 4 hour taxi ride to Allahabad (2nd oldest city in India) to minister with Pastor Arun Michael and his wonderful team of pastors and leaders. On the ride, we worked hard with Pastor Michael to translate a few common songs into Hindi that would flow musically as well as lyrically. They came out beautifully and we will probably use these again and again. Pastor Michael has a real gift in making these songs ‘sing’ in Hindi. Thank you Pastor!  In the evening the church was packed with eager worshipers. The local team lead worship and then we followed. We immediately tried out the new Hindi songs much to the delight of the people and got into a great flow. Todd’s beautiful song,’ The Sweetest Name I Know’, translated into Hindi, was a great hit and ended up being the theme song for the weekend!

October 23

Sunday morning we had a great time in both services singing, releasing, and preach/teaching about the wonderful presence of Jesus and our response to Him – shachah! I felt such a great personal release to preach there like never before and they were so responsive that it made it even easier to minister with confidence and great joy. After the service we prayed with many for healing, encouragement and recommitment. What a great and humble group of people. A big thank you to Pastor Arun Michael, Pastor Glorious, Vivak (great worship leader) Ajeet and Prince and a powerful group of people who treated us so wonderfully. We had to get back to Lucknow so after a quick lunch we returned with a harrowing 5 hour taxi ride (in the dark of night!) but we made it (thanks for braving it with us Pastor Glorious and Vivak!). Thank you Jesus! We’re alive!

Click here for Video: India 2011 Part 2 - Allahabad

October 24

Today, we flew from Lucknow in the north, to New Delhi and then on to Coimbatore in the extreme southern tip of India. What a contrast of weather. They are experiencing the tail end of the second monsoon season so every day had it’s time of deluge! Wet, wet, wet. We stayed the whole week at the Bethel Bible College in a nice room.

October 25

Our first day in Coimbatore was dedicated to visiting many of the wonderful ministries Bethel City Cathedral (Dr David Prakasam) has established over the years. We returned to the precious leper facility, inhabited with joyous and vibrant people who are filled with the Holy Spirit and passionate in their love of Jesus. To lift up holy hands with them is humbling and stirring to say the least. To blend your voice with such faith all around you is powerful. We found out that these sweet people had raised more than 50% of the funds needed to build their new chapel. Industrious, faith-filled, joyful and loving community where God abides!  God bless Pastor James and Persia for shepherding this wonderful group of saints. Next we went to a boys’ home and got blown away by such a boisterous display of song and dance that we just had to join in have fun with them for a bit. They even got to play Todd’s trumpet! Then we returned to the Widows’ Home that we visited two years ago to the same sweet ladies of faith that live there. After some greetings and exhortations we prayed for them and that was powerful. What faith abides in that house! We call them the ‘Happy Widows of Coimbatore’! These were the gallant saints who had been praying for my brother, Pastor Wendell Smith for six years and now are praying for Gini and the family faithfully. They just don’t give up – because God doesn’t give up either! We ended our day at another boys’ home and after lunch with Pastor Peter Prakasam we had a rousing time of singing with the boys. Who could not love these people? God bless Pastor Peter Prakasam for overseeing all these wonderful ministries. In the evening, Todd met with the sound team at Bethel while I had a great session with the main worship leaders there.

Click here for Video: India 2011 Part 3 Widows, Lepers and Orphans – Coimbatore

October 26

Today we taught two sessions at the Bible College – an enthusiastic group of young adults training for pastoring and leadership in the church of India. After some stirring songs (plus trumpet and cello – they rented a cello for me here too) I shared on the shachach and proskuneo and guided them into bowing and worshiping through challenges they face. Todd shared on the Royal Priesthood and shared his Zimbabwe story of God’s protection in adverse circumstances. Our good friend, Manoraj was our amazing translator once again. In the evening, we visited another widows home near the church and ministered to these beautiful ladies. Then we worked with the sound and the musicians of Bethel. Great rehearsal.

October 27

In the morning, our session with the Bible College was punctuated with some prophetic worship. After a sweet visit with another Widows Home near the church (Pastor Williams), we proceeded to the Worship Conference at Bethel City Cathedral in their beautiful new facility – hosted by Pastors John and Terry Prakasam. Over 200 worship leaders and pastors from all around attended. Pastor Sam lead the first worship time, setting the tone for a powerful conference. We sang a few songs then jumped into prophetic songs and released a sense of purpose from the beginning. Afterwards, I taught on the Vision for Worship in God’s church. Great response.

October 28

The conference continued all day Friday. It started with a great time of worship led by Lelin (powerful) followed by us leading them into a season of spontaneous worship. I finished my teaching on vision and then Todd shared on the seven words of praise – powerful teaching and really got them participating from silence to shouting – especially the teaching on barak (kneeling, bowing, prostrate) which had all of us on our faces before God. We finished the day with breakout sessions for singers and musicians. I took the singers through a vigorous workout on vocal quality and gave them tools and ideas to enhance and improve their voices daily. We came back together for a final teaching on what it truly means to ‘lead worship’.

October 29

The final day was incredible with Todd finishing his teaching on the shabach, leading into a great teaching on Breakthrough worship! Then of course, we ‘brokethrough’! Powerful. We finished the conference by exploring the new spiritual song in our worship. Song after amazing song was released in the people after some simple instruction of how God would sing through us – through His word, thanksgiving, prayers, etc. The times of sustained worship and song being birthed were stirring to watch and to hear. Most had not experienced this level of release in song and were enjoying it so immensely. We then anointed every person present to sanctify them and set them apart for the ministry of worship in the house of God. Many tears and much joy everywhere!

October 30

Our time in Coimbatore finished with a bang at the main services of Bethel (they have 3 Tamil services in the morning and 2 English services simultaneously – with over 4000 believers worshiping together) We shared briefly in the early (6:30AM!) Tamil service and invited them to join us in the evening. Then we led worship in both English services; I preached in the first one and Todd in the second. It was nice to be able to minister without an ‘interrupter’ (interpreter) since you can say so much more and get your own flow going. I shared on Persevering Worshipers (Abraham, Lot, and David) and gave them a glimpse of worshipers around the world who persevere in their worship (Guatemala, Uganda and Kamchatka). We never give up – but press in to all that God has for us. Todd preached on being the light of India in everything we do and say in the world around us.

The evening service was given to worship and prophetic sharing and singing. There was a literal deluge outside so we thought many wouldn’t be able to come because of transportation. But they showed up, drenched to the bone and ready to worship! It was absolutely off the charts! By now, we have a little more grasp of some of the Tamil songs so we were able to jump right in with their language and sing with them instead of ‘to’ them. We led them in dancing, celebrating and responding to the call of God on their lives. At one point I had those who had illnesses and sickness in their bodies to come forward and (I’ve never done this before!) had them dance during ‘Trading My Sorrows’ while the young maidens danced around them like Miriam at the Red Sea. It was a sight and beautiful thing to behold as joy replaced sorrow and laughter replaced tears. Song after song encouraged the spirit of worship. Todd actually started the night with his prophetic trumpet blasting. I accented moments with the cello (my voice of choice) and together we had an amazing night with an array of styles, dynamics, tempos, and textures that was an arranger’s dream! I love to worship God in this environment, it is so freeing. The thousand or so worshipers with us were rejoicing and responding all night long. None of us wanted to stop but time had it’s way of moving along and the buses wait for no man. So our time in India ended on a tremendous up-note. A big thank you to Pastor John Prakasam and Pastor Terry Prakasam for their amazing hospitality, as well as Lelin, Sam, Manoraj, Abby, Pastor Peter Prakasam, Mohenraj, Jacob (took wonderful care of us at the Bible College), Carolin, Andy, Daniel, David, Rohen and all the great people of Bethel!

October 31-November 1

After a ton of goodbyes and packing up all our clothes and our memories, we headed to the airport in Coimbatore – then on to Chennai, to New Delhi, to Amsterdam and then to Seattle and FINALLY home sweet home (Portland, Oregon) to my sweet wife Maryl!

What a great two weeks full of variety, fruit, release, joy, healing, impartation, faith and new seasons for all! We love you India and we will return!

In Him,

Dr. Tim Smith and Pastor Todd Beal – Worship Missionaries

This Saturday, October 15, we return to India for our fifth time in this great nation. Due to some physical ailments, Maryl will not be going with me this time, but we are believing for her total healing and health while we are gone. Pastor Todd Beal is joining me again for an exciting time of ministry in Northern and Southern India. Here is a prayer guide for our trip (October 15-31) Thank you for your prayers and support now as we continue to release worship around the world!

1. Protection and Safety – Psa 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.  Both on the trip over in the plane, during our travels in cars on the highways and streets, in the churches, hotels, airports, and even shopping. And please remember and pray for Maryl and our families who are here while we are gone. Maybe give them a call to see how they are doing.
2. Health – Psa 107:20  He sent His word and healed them. Remember that Maryl is facing strong physical ailments. Pray for total healing and tests are conclusive for clarity. In India, good, safe food and drink readily available helps. Last time in Coimbatore we all got sick from something we ate. This won’t happen this time. No diarrhea or intestinal problems.
3. Strength – Is.40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. We are looking at 14 straight days of ministry with no significant breaks. Pray for stamina, good sleep, breaks when needed. With constant singing, talking, speaking and shouting, the voice can get weary. Pray for our voices to remain strong.
4. Anointing – Isa 10:27 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. Pray for Todd and I to have the anointing of Christ upon every meeting. We don’t want to lean on our own talent, skill, passion and past successes. His anointing is always fresh and invigorating and keeps us going.
5. Clarity – 1Co 14:7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? Pray for clarity of the word and prophetic words that will come forth. That it will cut to the heart of the matter and be easily received.
6. Favor – Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. May the heart of the people be open to every message. May they receive it gladly and embrace relevant responses and actions. Especially favor with pastors and leaders as we work with them.
7. Impact – I Cor 16:9 For a great (high, large, mighty, loud) and effective (active, operative, powerful) door (portal, entrance) has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (to lie opposite, be contrary, oppose).  16: 13 Watch (keep awake, be vigilant), stand fast (be stationary, persevere) in the faith (persuasion, conviction), be brave (quit you like men, act manly), be strong (empower, increase in vigor).We have the opportunity to impact and influence hundreds of churches throughout India in 14 days. May the heart of the Father, true worship be conveyed and demonstrated throughout our time there. May new songs be birthed that week. May leaders be emboldened and encouraged to step up into their calling. May the weak be strengthened, the widow and the orphan comforted; may healing virtue flow in every service. May His Spirit be released to destroy the works of the enemy in this nation! May we remain vigilant every step of the way to the devices of the enemy.
8. Finances for the trip – Php 4:19  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God is certainly blessing us in many ways financially, but we are stretched between personal obligations and the India trip expenses (around $2000). Good things are happening and we believe God will continue to provide as we remain faithful to what He has called us. Please pray for abundance during this season and fresh new sources of His provision!
9. October 17-21 Lucknow, India/October 22-23 Allahabad, India/October 24-31 Coimbatore, India

Your Worship Missionaries – Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith and Pastor Todd Beal

• Dr. Tim is teaching a Master’s level course on worship at LifeChange Leadership Institute in Portland OR (Sept-Oct).
• Dr. Tim and Maryl are leading a Night of Worship at Scappoose Foursquare (Scappoose, OR) October 2 (6pm if you want to join us!)
• Dr. Tim and Maryl will be attending and ministering at Ministers’ Fellowship International Conference in early October – we always love seeing all our friends from around the world and hearing what God is doing everywhere through His faithful servants in MFI.
• Dr. Tim and Pastor Todd Beal are ministering once again in India in October. They are ministering at a Leadership Conference  in Lucknow with thousands of leaders from all over India;then  a church in Allahabad; ending in Coimbatore (southern India) teaching at the Bible College, widows’ homes, childrens’ homes, a leper facility, a Worship Conference for @400 leaders and finally ministering Sunday morning and night at Bethel Cathedral with Pastor David Prakasam.
• Dr. Tim and Maryl will be giving a Worship Seminar in Las Vegas at Pastors David and Cathy Walker in November
• In December, Dr. Tim will be joining with Pastor Mike Herron and others in Ankara, Turkey for a National Worship Conference there. We might also join Mike in Beirut, Lebanon.
• December of course is one of our favorite times to minister locally for many Christmas services!
• In January 2012 we will be joining Pastor Tyrone Jones for a worship seminar in Yuma, AZ!
• More opportunities in 2012 we are looking at: February – International School of Worship, Lucknow, India; Worship Northwest, Salem, OR; March – Worship Conference in Eugene, OR; Southern China; May – Worship conference in New York; June – returning to Uganda!

Thank you for partnering with us and encouraging us as we continue to facilitate and release powerful and authentic worship throughout the whole earth! God is great!

in Him, Your worship missionaries – Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith

Worship Without Borders has had an amazing year so far with wonderful ministry in Guatemala, India, Florida and Alaska along with a lot of local ministry. We are so grateful to the pastors, worship pastors, worship leaders and worship teams around the world who welcome us wholeheartedly, open up their hearts and ministries to us and embrace God’s vision for their worship. We are also so thankful to our many faithful supporters and churches who continue to undergird us not only financially but with their prayers and constant encouragement. You all keep us going and doing what God has called us to do. Our desire is to walk worthy of that calling!

We also want to thank many of you for all the flowers, cards, notes, prayers and encouragement for Maryl in the passing of her father in June. It has been a difficult season but God’s grace has carried her and the family. We would appreciate your continued prayers for Maryl since this has been a challenging year for her physically also – we praise God that she is still cancer-free a year after her surgery!

Now we are eagerly looking forward to a full fall ministry schedule both here and abroad. I start off the season by teaching the opening classes at the Life Change Leadership Institute at Life Change Christian Center (Pastors Mark and Marla Strong). I taught this five-week class on worship last year and so enjoyed stretching myself as well as challenging 25 great students and leaders. (Maryl and I became official members of Life Change Christian Center in Portland, OR this year and we are excited to be a part of this great congregation)

We will doing a lot of local ministry throughout the fall and we are working on some stateside seminars TBA. In late October, we are so excited to be invited back to Coimbatore, Southern India (Bethel City Cathedral, Pastor David Prakasam) for a Worship Conference with hundreds of regional worship leaders and pastors. We will also be teaching at the Bible College as well as ministering again at the widow’s homes, orphanages and the leper facility! We had such an amazing time with them two years ago and can’t wait to return to see what God has done and continue to build on the great vision that they have embraced. We are delighted that Pastor Todd Beal of TrumpetShout Ministries will be accompanying us again to India – also we just found out that our good friend, Pastor Kevin Benson (Hillsboro Vineyard, Hillsboro, OR) will be joining us for this conference (his first time in India!).

Since we were already coming to India in October, Pastor Tony (Bishop Augustus Anthony) fromLucknow, India and head of Assembly of Believers’ Church, invited us to join him earlier in October for their Annual Convention of 10,000 pastors and leaders from all over India. We are so honored to be associated with two great moves of God in India. We look forward to seeing what God will do with such willing people in this time of ripe harvest!

Finally, we are working out the details to join our good friend and fellow minister, Pastor Mike Herron, as he joins with others from around the world to take a team into Ankara, Turkey in December for a National Worship Conference.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support – it keeps us going. Send us a note sometime to stay in touch. We would love to hear from you!

in Him, Your Worship Missionaries – Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith

Come Be With Me

Live worship w/ Dr. Tim Smith and friends

@ Living Hope Fellowship, Aloha, OR 2005

Release Date: 01-Jan-2007

Label: SongSmith Ministries

UPC: 809780009124

Genre: Christian/Gospel (primary)

Executive Producer: Dr. Tim Smith Producer: Evan Earwicker

My Stores

• iTunes U.S.
• iTunes Australia/N.Z.
• iTunes Canada
• iTunes UK/European Union
• iTunes Japan
• MediaNet
• eMusic
• Rhapsody
• Napster
• Sony Connect

My Songs

• 1 It’s All About You Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780230)
• 2 Isn’t He Good Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780233)
• 3 Mighty God Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780234)
• 4 Let not the Wiseman Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780235)
• 5 All My Streams Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780236)
• 6 Come Be With Me Tim Smith (Song ID: USTC10780237)

Check this album out on iTunes here.

Check out this album on iTunes here.

Wasilla Assembly of God Worship

Since were already going to be in Alaska, we managed to get some other opportunities in the area to minister. We got to spend a whole day with the wonderful people at Wasilla Assembly of God (yes, I know, this is the church that … Nathan Lopez is from). Sunday morning we co-lead worship and then I preached my new sermon on forgiveness. What a great response to a timely message. The altar was filled with people not only receiving forgiveness but articulating forgiveness for those who have hurt them, as well as asking forgiveness from those they had hurt. Such an amazing and sweet spirit was in that place as we allowed Jesus to do His great work in each heart. We heard a few of the testimonies later from those who were greatly touched and we were humbled to realize how timely and perfect this message was for this congregation. Thank you Jesus!

Sunday evening, they have a House of Prayer in Wasilla that goes for 3 hours every week. They asked us to lead the first two hours of prayer and worship. I ended up on the cello with Maryl on the flute and a small band with us just flowing for most of the two hours. It went by so quickly and so effortlessly, I was amazed!  I don’t often lead from the cello but since my experience in New Delhi, I have gotten bolder in this area. The flow was beautiful and I was able to sing and pray and play all at the same time. And especially to flow with this team so easily was a special gift as we heard the heart of the Father expressed beautifully in song and in prayers. At the end, they put us in the middle of a circle and prayed and prophesied over us for about 15 minutes. Very special, very accurate and very needed. Thank you WAG! You all are an amazing testimony to the faithfulness of God through the years. Keep on, friends!

We met throughout the next week with many worship leaders and pastors in the

Anchorage/Wasilla area. We were thrilled to hook up with some pretty astounding ministries there – you never know what you might find in Alaska! We met with Pastor David Pepper (Church on the Rock, Wasilla) and his two worship guys Jake Sloan and Johnny Ramirez and heard some pretty incredible stories of worship and release in fascinating places. We met with Melissa Saulnier who has a great vision of networking and encouraging young songwriters in Alaska and beyond through Oikeo Music. We also met with another young but focused worship pastor, Aaron Gray, from Anchorage City Church. Had some great discussions on worship theology and worship in Alaska.

Also, during the week we got some time to go down  south on the Turnagain Arm and see the spectacular beauty that is uniquely Alaskan! We made it all the way to the Portage Glacier and enjoyed the view that takes your breath away – while you are freezing I might add.

The final weekend, we rehearsed and ministered with the Alliance Bible Church worship team and dance team for the Palm Sunday service. Before I sang my song, I accompanied the local Praise Dance team in a beautiful rendition of Jonathan Stockstill’s song, Holy Fire: powerful yet simple. After that we sang my song: All Together and Forever, and dedicated it to the great people that God has raised up there over the last few decades to give God glory in all that life threw at them. Some amazing stories of God’s faithfulness throughout the service accented by worship and prayer and sealed with my song.

They asked me to write a song similar to Exodus 15 – the Song of Moses – enumerating all that God had delivered them from and into. It was such an honor to articulate all that God had done on their behalf. The response to the song was great and it will be used annually for their anniversary apparently.  Here are the song’s lyrics:

©2011 Tim Smith/SongSmith Ministries

And we thank all of you for your love and support during this exciting season of our lives. We cannot continue to do what we do, without your prayers and encouragement along the way. Thank you for your faithfulness to us and to His calling in your lives. He is amazing and His adventure in our lives continues on. God bless you all.  BTW, we head to Calgary Alberta next month and we have some great things lined up for the fall. Keep us in prayer and if you have a moment, drop us a ‘line’ and tell us what God is doing in your lives.

Thanks,

in Him,

Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith, Your Worship Missionaries

Maryl and I were once again honored to be a part of one of the great moves of God in India. We started in Lucknow in March 2011, and went on to New Delhi for some powerful and wonderful meetings, teachings, worship times and prophetic releases throughout. Pastor Augustus Anthony (Pastor Tony) started this group of churches called Assembly of Believers’ Churches 34 years ago. They have since grown into over 400 churches throughout India including more than 40,000 believers. 18 years ago, a farmer from Harrisburg, Oregon, Mark Smucker came to Lucknow, caught the vision and left a guitar. He has come back every year since, bringing others and more guitars. 7 years ago, they decided to start a School of Worship (now an International School of Worship and a National School of Worship) with the help of Mark, Bob Fitts and others. God has grown an amazing work in Lucknow and around India through the faithfulness of a pastor and a farmer! Pastor Tony is also on Zee TV being shown around Asia to over 500 million people weekly.

We arrived in Delhi on March 10 and flew on to Lucknow the next day where we rested and tried to beat the jetlag.

Day One: March 12 began our ministry in Lucknow with a wonderful worship seminar at the main ABC church. The place was packed with fervent worshipers including friends we had made last year when we came to Lucknow. The worship was intense and then I was able to seal this beautiful time with biblical foundations and understanding of worship. It was a powerfully prophetic time of building up His worshipers in the house of God. We got to rest some more to stay strong for the week.

Day Two: Sunday, March 13 was spent at the main ABC church in Lucknow with Pastor Shanu (a wonderfully happy, joyful and loving pastor). Again, the worship was strong and we felt right at home even though it was mostly in Hindi. I love how the children play instruments and stay involved in the worship there! As the worship continued Pastor Shanu led the congregation into intercession for Japan and families and relationships. It was powerful as the whole place wept, repented, interceded and cried out to God for mercy and restored relationships. Pastor Shanu turned to me to see if I wanted to take it from there. I was at the piano, so I led right into ‘On Christ the Solid Rock I stand…’ and continued the time with prophetic words and songs for about another hour as we flowed back and forth with God doing a great work. Many came forward to receive Christ and many more came for healing. I didn’t preach at all! God is amazing sometimes. Once again they allowed us to rest the rest of the day so we felt refreshed for Monday morning.

Day Three: Monday, March 14 we drove out to the School of Worship at the Convention Centre a  few miles outside of  Lucknow to join the students there. This was the final week for them of 8 weeks study at the International School of Worship. 17 students (mostly from India, but one from Oregon and two from New Zealand!) totally dedicating two months (Jan-Mar) to learn and receive all they could from Jesus. We were able to jump right into their routine (we were there last year and knew the basics) and got them worshiping and flowing immediately with us. Then I proceeded to lay the groundwork for what I felt God wanted them to receive from me this week. We started with the biblical foundations of worship, leading then into the vision for worship. Maryl ended the time with how to study the word of God. After lunch and some rest we came back in the evening with a powerful time of worship together. These students know how to worship and truly abandon themselves to Jesus. We encouraged them to really step out and be the leaders God has called them to be.

Day Four: Tuesday, March 15 we continued with our teaching, but first I taught them to ‘speak, sing, pray’ the psalms. This has been a tremendous release and revelation for so many in their devotional times. For a season I would practice this every day with 5 psalms each day. That is how God birthed ‘Our God is Lifted Up’  from Psalm 47. Great times. That lead into Maryl teaching on Personal Devotions. Then I taught on Principles of Leading Worship starting with studies of David, Asaph and Chenaniah, the three great worship leaders of the Old Testament. Then we went into more practical considerations of worship leading, the list, the rehearsal, how to release the worship in a congregational setting, etc. After lunch and rest, Maryl had a class on drama basics and then taught them a skit for the graduation ceremony, based on my song, Prayer is For the Warrior. After that I taught them the song along with another a capella song ‘Doxology’ that is nice with 4 part harmony. We ended up really working those hard until we had the harmonies really ringing, but it took us right up to 9pm (which is dinnertime). Another great day!

Day 5: March 16, Wednesday was another full day of teaching and releasing for these students. We started the day with another great time of worship and prophetic songs and then I took the rest of the time working on the Worship Team concepts. From the basics of choosing and forming the team through the rehearsal and the service ideas, we touched a lot of bases on getting a worship team off the ground and flowing in the Spirit. We talked about flexibility and sensitivity a lot since that is needed so much in spirit-led worship. Rather than being top-40 driven, we try to be sensitive to what the Spirit might do in a service and then remain flexible to change according to where He leads. Exciting, risk-taking moments happen when we remain pliable in His hands. After lunch Maryl and I visited the conference grounds where 8000 people can be housed, fed and taught at once! It’s an amazing place that was built from ground up by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit moving through Pastor Tony! We got to play and run with a bunch of the orphan boys housed and going to school there. Great group. A lot of laughing. Then the SOW students were trying on their graduation gowns with little 4 year old Rachel helping out. Very cute. That night we met with the students once again to prepare them for the graduation ceremony. We worked the songs over and over until they were singing their parts in their sleep! :) Then we ran the skit with pantomime and dancing synced with the music. I assigned two soloists (turned out to be the two from New Zealand: Melza and Nathanael) and then the rest of the team sang backup. This prophetic song and skit got better and better as the night wore on. Since this was their last night at the School of Worship, the students stayed up until 3 and 4am (we didn’t of course, but we noted them throughout the night, singing, laughing, practicing, etc.)

Day 6: March 17, Thursday was a final day to fine tune their songs and skit for the ceremony that night.In four short days we got so close to these 17 young people. What a wonderful group. We reconvened in Lucknow at ABC for the ceremony in the evening. In the afternoon I met with the four directors of the International School of Worship: Pastor Shanu, Pastor Michael, Pastor Patrick and Pastor Rocky. We discussed the history and philosophy of the school and strategized on the curriculum and future schools. What a great group of leaders that truly love the students. In the evening, we started with a great round of worship and then the presentation of the graduates. They came on and dramatically spoke their life verses over the congregation (it was powerful) and then sang a 4 part a capella piece that I had arranged and worked with them. Most of them had no vocal training and some really had difficulty singing in tune – but by the end of this simple piece, we were all convinced that they truly could sing and do it well in an ensemble format. I was so proud of them in boldly singing something they had only learned two days before! Way to go graduates! Then they launched into a couple of great praise songs with a lot of passion. After that they did the ‘Prayer Warrior’ skit and song. After that we worshiped to the great song ‘God of This City’ and you could sense the passion of God on that place as He was sending His worshipers back to many great cities around the world. Each student got to share their experience at SOW briefly and powerfully. God has done an amazing work in each one of them in such a short time! Then each director also shared their experiences (they all take a two week time with the students – they get to know them very personally and up close). It was wonderful to hear all the stories of their time together. I was asked to share briefly with everyone, so I shared about being set apart and sanctified for the purposes of God in our lives out of 1 Chronicles 25:1. It was evident that God was doing something special among us and that He was calling us out in this season to do mighty exploits. Then each student got their special stole forgraduation.After that, Maryl had the honor of passing out the diplomas to each student and she exhorted the students – and then we all danced and celebrated! What a joy and what an accomplishment!

India Gate

Day 7: March 18, Friday we flew to New Delhi and spent the rest of the day with Pastor Patrick. He took us to the India Gate which is an amazing natural memorial to Indian soldiers with a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier being watched over day and night. It is awe inspiring to stand under such an immense memorial but I suppose that is the purpose of honoring so many brave people – stop and reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice they gave!

Day 8: March 19, Saturday was our second worship seminar held at the YMCA in New Delhi. Because of a national holiday that threatened the safety of a lot of people, the seminar and evening service was a little smaller than normal but the spirit of the worship and response was tremendous. Pastor Patrick and Pastor Solomon along with many other ABC pastors were there to make it all flow well. The worship from beginning to end had a very fluid feeling with many instrumental breaks for the cello (they had rented a cello for me again from a local synagogue) and Maryl’s flute. Patrick on the guitar and his brother Peter on the keyboard (as well as Manjit Joseph on the drums!) created a wonderful seedbed of prophetic music that afforded easy moments to slide in and out for both of us. What a joy to play with such gifted and sensitive musicians. After the worship, I taught on the vision of worship for the church today. The response was magnificent and so receptive. In the evening, during the worship I started ministering from the cello and then stepped up to sing and exhort everyone in the fear of the Lord and what God was showing us in the Japan crisis. I opened the altar up for those who were unsure of their foundation in God and in fear of life’s circumstances. We had a great response and a good season of prayer. Then we prayed for the sick and had a great response there too. Once again, I did not preach but just allowed the Holy Spirit to do His work among us. He does a lot better than me. It was interesting to have the music going the whole time and to sing periodically throughout the time of ministry. I think that is an ideal scenario for what I do in ministry. At the end we greeted a lot of our friends from last year’s ministry. What a great time!

Day 9: March 20, Sunday during the day we hung out at Pastor Patrick’s house to avoid the ‘Holi’ day festival of colors where people throw color on everybody indiscriminately (usually a chalk-like substance, but also water balloons with colored water and various other more nefarious objects) for no apparent reason except vague tradition. In the afternoon we traveled to Pastor Raymond’s ABC church to minister in Gurgaon. Maryl got very sick so I ended up ministering alone in the church. I decided to minister from the cello, and it was amazing. I have never done that before, but I just kept playing while leading a song, singing a spontaneous song, praying, exhorting, prophesying, sing another song, play some Bach and on and on it went for an hour and 15 minutes! Such anointing on the cello I dont think I have ever experienced, and such a flow clear till the closing prayer over the musicians and singers of the church. Powerful time! Pastor Raymond was in tears at the end. He expressed that this was what he was praying for his congregation. To experience a free flow of worship and ministry, intermingled powerfully and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work among us. At the end of the service I met a gentleman who apparently is the oboist for the Delhi Symphony! We hope to play together when we return next year.

Day 10: March 21, Monday morning early we got on an airplane headed for Amsterdam and then home. Maryl’s health was stable but weak, so we were careful to get the best seats possible for the flights home. God helped us and we got home safe and sound on the same day!

What a powerful and life-changing time we had in India. We hope to go back as much as possible since there seems to such an open door and fertile ground to plant good seed. We thank God for this opportunity and many others like it in India and around the world that He allows us to represent Him and further His Kingdom in the area of worship. Thank you for your support of this ministry as we transform nations one worshiper at a time.

For His Kingdom,

Your Worship Missionaries – Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith