Colm Fitzpatrick
Personal Profile
Colm Fitzpatrick talks to an Irish band that worships God through music
Pope Benedict XVI once remarked that music’s origins lie in the experience of love, sadness, and the encounter with the Divine. Through music, we can, in some way, hear God speaking.
One Northern-Irish band has taken on the challenge of spreading the message of the Gospel globally, so the voice of God can be heard and praised.
‘I AM’ is a Derry-based worship band exploring faith, life and harmonies. Formed in 2016, their unique style of music has captured the attention of audiences throughout Ireland.
Describing the origins of the band, Marie-Therese Martin said: “I went travelling to Australia when I was 28, and explored my beliefs. I wanted to make sure that I hadn’t been programmed or conditioned.”
When there, she attended Hillsong, a Sydney-based mega-Church which welcomed different religions, cultures and ages, which contrasted with her experience of attending church in Northern Ireland.
With a dynamic atmosphere of praise and worship, alongside emotive music, Martine had a burning desire to bring this type of service back to the North.
“Derry is a musical city, it’s part of our culture,” she explained, adding that we are all able to express our faith through music.
Motivation
Equipped with this musical environment, the band was initially formed with six singers, and five other band members, all of whom perform voluntarily.
Martine explained that the band’s motivation is their love for God, and their aim is to bring people back to Jesus, especially in a time when many young people are frightened by the Church. By engaging in worship through innovative ways, the band hope to reach out to those on the margins.
“Music is simple and approachable. Through music, people are worshipping, praying and dancing,” she said.
“The key is to meet people where they’re at and that can bring about spiritual growth. Be open to where people are in their own spiritual journey.”
The band itself reflects this attitude, which has a multi-denominational composition including those with no belief. Although we may all have different beliefs, Martine believes love connects us all and music is one of the ways in which this fundamental essence is revealed.
“Music is a gift from God. It’s the language of love. It’s how international people can communicate and it’s what we all have in common,” she said, adding that God created our hands and voice so that we could clap and sing in worship.
Although worship bands are popular in America and Australia, some in Ireland have found it strange. The biggest battle, Martine said, was trying to get into the doors of the Catholic Church, due to the band’s ecumenical ethos. In spite of these setbacks, they have been able to perform in areas of religious conflict, transforming fragmentation into unity.
“It’s pretty ground-breaking, especially with the Catholic and Protestant divide in Derry. We’re praising and worshipping together.”
Although this type of music can make audiences rekindle their relationship with God and reshape their lives in a faith-filled way, the band, too, experience development in their faith.
“The band members are voluntary for the greater good and for the love of Jesus. We always have to remember who we’re doing this for,” said Martine.
“I literally believe we can move mountains, and I don’t believe we should approach this half-heartedly. An unshakeable faith makes all things possible.”
Travelling together in a band and spreading the message of God’s love is rewarding for all of the band members, but it still comes with many challenges that are difficult to face. Maintaining a sense of humility, ameliorating conflict between one another and remaining steadfast with a strong work ethic are just some of the battles that the band encounter.
“You have to take the ego out of the equation. Also, there are personality clashes, and so decisions need to be made for the development of the group. If people aren’t on the same wavelength or journey, we have to let them go.
“Some people are more lackadaisical. It’s hard work and you have to stand your ground.”
Although it can be difficult working with multiple people in a creative atmosphere, the band have been successful in not only singing worship songs, but also writing them. In Martine’s experience, most people are drawn to the more sombre songs which can have a visceral effect on the listener.
“You can literally change people’s lives,” she said, adding that some people approach the band after a worship performance to explain the impact it has had on their lives.
With the journey of the band still in its infancy, Martine lives by a faith-inspired lyric to keep pushing her and the band in the right direction: “Burn in me your desire. A passion worthy of your name.”
For more information about “I AM”, see https://www.facebook.com/IAMWORSHIPBAND/.