Today we are releasing videos of the remaining tracks from our new album, ‘Acoustic Sessions’. These include new versions of ‘The Stone is Rolled Away’ and ‘Come to the Cross’, slightly reinvented and remastered, a new acoustic version of ‘Grace is not earned’ and this brand-new track, ‘Just as I am (Jesus, Lamb of God)’. https://youtu.be/K3ttZJTnqsE
This classic hymn, written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835, with music by William Bradbury, was instrumental in my own journey of faith. As an unbeliever who loved gospel music, I went along to a church in Notting Hill in London and asked if I could join their choir. Invited to come to rehearsals, I was given a 'mix tape' that included The Winans Family and Friends Choir singing an arrangement of this hymn. Coming to faith soon after, with my friend Mark Edwards, I performed that arrangement all over Brighton and beyond as an outreach appeal. You may already be aware that the evangelist Billy Graham often used this hymn in his crusades, believing it to be the most effective hymn when inviting people to make a commitment to Christ.
Some years later, during the lockdowns of 2020, I was out walking my dog as part of our 'allowed exercise', singing this hymn as I walked, when I started to sing this chorus response, and out it came, just like this. I know there is always an argument for not 'messing with the classics' but, for me, this was a sincere response to a dearly loved hymn that has played a significant part in my life. I do hope it is a blessing to you.
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