Louder Than The Music

RCL Praise is the resident worship band of Rhema Church London. Formed in 1991, the group has grown and developed into a dynamic and anointed worship team. RCL Praise is known for lively contemporary music reflecting a multicultural congregation. Many of the songs sung at Rhema Church London have been written by the band members themselves, songs birthed from the hearts of people who have committed themselves to a lifestyle of worship and dedication to God. Louder Than The Music talked to RCL's Michele Avery...


How long have you been involved in music and how did you get first into it?

I've been involved in Praise and worship for the past eighteen years. I joined Rhema church London at the very beginning so saw the need for workers in this area, I only intended to stay a little while but God had other plans. As the weeks went by I began to realise that praise and worship and RCL Praise was the place God wanted me to be, the rest is history.

Tell us a little bit about your new Album?

The songs are uplifting, encouraging and very personal, each song testifies of the goodness of God. Many of the song writers had been through some really hard times, these songs catalogue how God brought them out and turned their situations around.

What was the inspiration behind the Album?

This project was initially started to bless the people from our church, they wanted to be able to take a little bit of Rhema home with them and be able to sing and enjoy our music whenever they wanted. Before this demand was placed on us we never dreamt that we could ever write our own material we always relied on the good music that was already available. But with some encouraging words from our producer Ian Green and Pastors Martin and Sandy Phelps we realised through God we could do this.

The songs on this album are very personal, birthed from the hearts of song writers who have been through trials and hard times but have seen the goodness of God and his grace turn things around. "Awesome God" can be best described as a project containing songs of victory and strength, songs that proclaim what God has done for us.

What's your song writing process?

There were times when band members would just meet up and share their ideas with each other, someone would have the music and another person help out on the lyrics. But most of the time and the easiest way we found to get a song was to just worship together and allow the songs to just flow out of that time of being in God's presence together. For example the song "Thank You Jesus" came during a time of intimate worship during a church service, one of our vocalists , Myles Gaisie, spontaneously started to sing from his heart and this was the result.

Tell us a bit about Rhema Church London?

The church was founded in 1991 by Pastors Martin and Sandy Phelps from the ministry of pastor Ray McCauley in South Africa. The church started with eight on the first Sunday and has now grown to a congregation of over two thousand members and just like the city of London the church is cosmopolitan and lively.
At Rhema there is a strong emphasis placed on Praise and worship, caring for people and most importantly the preaching of the Word of God.

If you could work with any other artist, who would it be and why?

Each one of our band members would answer this question differently but personally, I would like to work with an artist called Michael Battersby from Metro Church in Perth, Australia. His worship songs always leave me rather emotional, the music is so anointed and the lyrics reflect his love and deep walk with God. His songs aren't about entertainment but about getting you into Gods presence.

What advice would you give to any young musicians or songwriters out there?

Always put God first and give him all your talents. Seek him and rely on him, as you put his kingdom first everything else will be added unto you.

You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your mp3 player. What track is it?

It would be 'My Deliverer' from our album. If God can save my soul surely he can deliver me of this island!!!!! lol

What does the next year hold for you?

We will continue to serve our Pastor and church, strive to be what God wants us to be and fulfil his purpose.