Tim Hughes Chats with Hallels About His New Worship Album "Pocketful of Faith"

By Timothy Yap Jun 29, 2015 08:50 PM EDT

British worship leader Tim Hughes will release his new solo worship album, 'Pocketful of Faith' on 17th July 2015. The twelve-track album includes the track 'Set Apart', previously recorded by Worship Central on their album of the same name. Hughes is best known for worship anthems such as 'Here I Am to Worship', 'Happy Day' and 'Counting On Your Name'.

Hallels: Thank you Tim for this interview. Recently, you have made the move to plant a church in Birmingham. How is the church plant now? Will you continue to sing and write with members of Worship Central for their future projects?

Yes, my family and I moved to Birmingham a couple of months ago. We're slowly settling in, building a team and working on a huge building project. It all feels crazy, exciting and daunting. We are loving it!! Encountering God in worship is at the heart of this church plant and I pray we will see explosions of creativity in the church. I'm excited about continuing to lead worship and write songs. I'm not hanging up the guitar yet!

Hallels: Congratulations on the release of "Pocketful of Faith." Did you approach this solo album any differently than your work with Worship Central?

This feels like a very personal project, even though it was hugely collaborative. This captures much of the journey of the last eighteen months - stepping out into the adventure of planting a church. The album feels more focused thematically than many other projects I've been involved in before. It was fun to be back in the studio. I love the freedom and creativity that brings. That in itself made it feel different to the recent Worship Central albums I've been involved in.

Hallels: What's the inspiration behind the title "Pocketful of Faith"?

Jesus says in Luke 17:6, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." That's an unreal thought! My friend Nick Herbert bought the phrase to a writing session. I loved it. What's in my pocket? Not much - a plectrum, a crumpled receipt, a couple of coins; it's not going to change the world. But if we offer it up to God and allow him to use the limited offering and faith that we have, He can do truly do amazing things. I'm banking on it!! As I sit here, now living in Birmingham at the start of a church plant, stepping into the unknown, feeling overwhelmed and out of my depth, that verse comes into sharp reality. The songs on this record grapple with that theme - faith, hope, vulnerability and raw trust.

Hallels: On this album you've got to work with many notable songwriters including Phil Wickham, Matt Redman, Reuben Morgan, Martin Smith, Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin and Nick Herbert. How were those experiences. Being someone who grew up with Hillsong Church, what was it like to write with Reuben Morgan?

It was fantastic writing with so many friends. What a joy to spend time doing something you love with people you love! It's always great to see how different people work. You keep learning and getting inspired. These collaborations have brought a richness to the record.

Hallels: Tell us more about your latest single "Hope and Glory."

Hope & Glory is a prayer - it's a cry for a nation! Written with Martin Smith and Nick Herbert, we wanted to pen a song that captured a cry for God to move in power once again. The stories that fill our daily news are heartbreaking - murder, war, abuse, neglect .... We can end up feeling so helpless. But in Christ we can have confidence; He can move mountains and He can heal our land. He is our hope and glory! It's been special leading this song.

Hallels: Of all the songs you have written for the church over the years, if you have to name two, which two songs are the most memorable to you?

Obviously 'Here I Am To Worship' as it opened up so many doors and surprised me more than any other song I've written. I was at University when I wrote the song and had no clue that in less than two years time it would be sung all over the world. I love the song 'Everything.' For me it captures finding and worshiping God at all times and in every moment of life.

Hallels: For our readers who would like to find out more about you,where can they go?

worshipcentral.org / Twitter - timhughes77 / Instagram - thughes77