INTERVIEW – IAN YATES

Here is the second interview with my good friend and co-writer Ian Yates.

Please can you tell us about yourself and what do you do?
I’m 27, based in Liverpool. My full time job is a Process Improvement manager for the Home Office that basically means I improve business processes. In the rest of my time I’m singer/songwriter I lead worship at Bootle Elim Church and various conferences and Events mainly around the North West of England

How and when did you become a Christian?
I made a commitment when I was 5 at a holiday club, but when I was about 13 I went to the national Elim conference we’re God completely changed my life! I was filled with the Holy Spirit and had an awesome experience of the love of God and how much He loved me, things changed from there.

What song personally means the most to you and why?
Good question… There are so many I think it would have to be “Did you feel the mountains tremble” – written by Martin Smith (Delirious) This song was a huge inspiration for me, it defiantly inspired me to write worship songs and I think it’s one of those songs that brings down the tangible presence of God. I love the line do you feel the darkness tremble? When all the saints join in one song and all the streams flow as one river to wash away our brokenness. For me it brings the picture of the bride joining together, an unstoppable force and darkness trembles. That’s the power of praise and worship, it shakes the darkness, and it breaks open the prison chains.

What books would you recommend as ‘must reads’?
Destined to reign by Joseph Prince
Facedown by Matt Redman
Jesus Wants to Save Christians, by Rob Bell and Don Golden,

What are the most important things you think every worship Leader should know?
We are here to serve Remember it’s all about Him and not us Submit to leaders, (this is a hard one especially if you think they are completely wrong) Persevere! (Never give up on your dreams and what you feel God has called you to do)

Any other words of wisdom?
Trust in God, Rest in what He has done for us. (We don’t need to strive) God’s ways are so much higher than ours and His timing is not like ours His timing is perfect.

To find out more about Ian check out www.ianyates.net