| Interview with Paul Davis, NCM
18/02/04
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH YUGOSLAVIA?
Through Oak Hall - bringing aid into the country during the
civil wars that ripped this region apart. During those times,
we made deep friendships as we shared practical help and the
message of Jesus' Love with people in the midst of a horrific
situation. In 1996 we moved to Serbia to begin a mission
training school to equip local people to reach their own nations
in the Balkans with the life-changing news of Jesus.
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH?
Caterham, 24/3/72
BACKGROUND OF FAMILY?
Adventurous family who believe that Jesus came to bring life in
all its fullness and committed themselves to reaching those
around them! They began Oak Hall Expeditions with the mission
to reach and disciple those who came exploring the world with
them...
EDUCATION?
Industrial and graphic design, Goldsmiths' College.
MUSICAL BACKGROUND?
Learning to play the guitar at the age of twelve, the instrument
quickly became part of my identity. The fret-board never far
from my fingers, friends always turned to me for a song. Sade,
Muddy Waters or Otis Reading-style songs were great
atmosphere-builders and I loved to oblige a request for "a bit
of music".
Later, free weekends saw me at Oxford Circus Tube or playing in
a club...
Parallel to my enjoyment of music but increasingly surpassing it
was my experience of walking with Jesus Christ as my King and
Saviour. At seventeen I started to write songs about Him with
the purpose of communicating something more radical and
revolutionary than simply a good vibe.
Friends unable to talk about such close-to-the-heart subjects
would listen, enquire, cry, laugh and question the deepest
themes when they came out of a song... some coming right to
that place of responding to Jesus and experiencing that ultimate
of homecomings.
Jazz saxophonist Nick Beston's melodic solos complemented my
compositions and his friendship and creativity inspired me to
push the music further...
In the Balkans musicians such as keyboardist Stanislav Majerski
encouraged me to record and in 2003, "Dreams of a Homecoming"
was released on the "Turquoise Tracks Label.
WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE SONG?
I wrote "Coming Home" after a girl, her life apparently
destroyed by the violence around us, turned to the Father "whose
arms had long been held open" and experienced that ultimate of
homecomings. Her life was turned around by that encounter...
WHY GOSPEL MUSIC AND NOT SECULAR?
I write songs about the things I feel most passionate about.
What is more amazing, awe-inspiring than a relationship with the
Creator of the Universe who has proved that He loves me?
I pray that this will be the Gospel Message in a secular
language.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
The music recorded on "Dreams of a Homecoming" has been written
played and honed in places ranging from train stations to TV
stations, theatres to beach bars...
The highlights are not necessarily the "Big" moments but those
times when it is clear that the Prince of Peace has been able to
communicate through this music: a song and a conversation on a
train or a busked line piercing a hard heart in a crowded
street.
PRESENT FAMILY?
I am married to Faye: an amazing companion, artist and source of
inspiration. We have two boys: Elliot (4 years) Lukas (9
months)
HOW DO MEASURE SUCCESS IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING?
Great question. The nub of this is how much is God able to use
the music to share about His Love with those searching for
peace, for a homecoming...
HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD EXISTS?
I see evidence of His craftsmanship each direction that I turn.
As I read the Bible, and meet the person of Jesus Christ
revealed there, I see a coherent revelation of a God who chooses
to make Himself known... As I walk with Him, I experience a
confirmation of these truths by His Spirit - the Spirit of God
Himself - echoing "Father" with my inmost person. And in the
day to day drive forward to see the world touched by His Love, I
see Him opening doors, working miracles, transforming lives and
circumstances that leave me with no other option than to know
that He exists and that He is awesome.
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