Heart for the needy, heart for God.

COC Perth, host to this latest live recording has a variety of ministries operating from its 650 membership base. Two of them particularly stand out.

The first is called simply "HOPE", a massive Community Care program. Through it, last year more than 50,000 food parcels were distributed amongst needy people in Perth. In addition to this a clothing Op Shop and a furniture store distribute these items free. Their programs are funded almost entirely by the church.

The site has now moved - go to -
http://www.resource.com.au

A counselling centre provides financial advice and other counselling services and many people come to a knowledge of Christian faith through them so that physical, social and spiritual needs are met through the program.

The Hope program has one full-time staff member, and about 20 volunteer assistants. It operates out of an old house beside the church building which was once a factory manufacturing Nevarda shirts. The name "Nevarda" can still be seen embossed in the glass entrance doors.

The church rents the old property, valued at several million dollars for a very small sum. Eventually the property will be redeveloped by the owners and the congregation will seek a permanent home.

The second major focus of the church is worship. Eight years ago they decided to organise a Worship Summit to serve the needs of churches in the region. 150 attended this first event.

Each year it has increased and this year around 4500 attended the powerful Friday night event. Phil Driscoll was the keynote speaker/musician. At the age of 54 he inspires young and old. The area at the front of the stadium filled with jumping and praising youth.

Phil Driscoll is a passionate worshipper. Some of his gems included:

• "Polite applause is illegal praise."
• "Praise is not an artform, it's about an attitude of heart."
• "Praise is not a request, it is a command."
• "At a ball game you shout when you score. But for God - who calls things that are not as though they are - you shout before you hear the score!"
• "Musicians should never adopt the mentality 'I am only a sidesman'. No! You are a minister of Jesus Christ. Look at David the harpist."
• "Musical instruments were created for one purpose - to announce God. It is not performance. It is announcing God's presence. That's where the action is."
• "Pursue heavenly sounds."

For those who may not know, Phil Driscoll is a brilliant trumpeter/singer from the USA. He has played for the American president, ministered in many high places and produced numerous CDs.

The COC Perth music team led the opening worship at the Worship Summit on Friday night and again on Saturday morning. The Saturday rehearsals began at 6am, a significant indicator of their commitment.

Michael Battersby is the assistant pastor and Creative Arts Director at COC Perth. He has a wide musical background - Tina Arena, Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Don McLean and Dizzy Gillespie are among the artists he has worked with. His passion now is to make available vibrant and anointed worship resources for the church. The team released their fifth CD "Faithful" at the Worship Summit (contact COC Perth for orders on +61 8 9221 4260).

Michael also led the worship for the Perth combined Jesus March and for "Church Together", which draws 10-15,000 people in Perth. He has hosted the Creative Ministries Faculty at Hillsong for the last three years.

For this Resource live recording of "Lift Up Your Eyes" Michael drew on the talents of his worship team and choir which was supplemented by people from many churches around Perth. The Sunday night was devoted to the recording - an exciting time of dynamic praise and passionate worship.

Three of the songs on the album were written by Michael Battersby and Dawn Hannell from the host church.