Hi Nikki, thanks for chatting with us here on the Women In Worship Network!
Let’s start with a question about your early years. You grew up in Australia – how did you get involved in leading worship over there ?
I started leading worship in the youth ministry at my church when I was about 17 years old. It was never something I wanted to get involved in - actually quite the opposite. I had grown-up as a “pastors kid”, and loved God but had a real resentment towards the church. The one vow I had made to God was – “Lord I’ll do anything EXCEPT be in ministry or marry a pastor!”
We’ll its funny that our decision to follow Christ isn’t lived out on our own terms, He wants us to surrender everything and serve wholeheartedly – being faithful with WHATEVER He puts in our hands to do.
So when I was given the opportunity to lead worship I reluctantly agreed (I must of had such a bad attitude) but over the next few years, as I began to surrender and lay down my own dreams and desires, God completely did a number on my heart – transforming me, restoring me, and bringing me to complete adoration of Him… I haven’t stopped singing about Jesus since.
Now you’re based in London, England. And you’re part of “Worship Central“. Tell us about your role at Worship Central.
I’m one of the team at “Worship Central” which is a School of Worship from Alpha International that trains worship Leaders. There are 6 worship leaders that make up the ministry team, and I am the only girl (at this stage!!!!).
We all lead worship regularly at our local church (Holy Trinity Brompton) and at the events we do. We also write songs and are involved in teaching on worship as well as mentoring and raising up worship leaders. As well that, the six of us have individual roles that we focus on during our week – mine being inputting into the girls on the team; raising up and mentoring worship leaders (particularly young girls – there seems to be a bit of an imbalance in the UK); also Luke and myself are working on the Worship Central “Worship Academy” which be launched September 2011 (watch this space…!)
I must say I feel really blessed to be part of this team that God has placed me in. I constantly feel strengthened, encouraged, challenged, released, inspired and excited being amongst and working with all the guys. I haven’t stopped learning since coming onboard. It’s also a wonderful thing to work with all your friends!
I also am a new mum, so spend a lot of time chasing my 9 month old baby boy around London!
(Here’s a photo of Nikki, her husband and their adorable baby Jones!)
In your songwriting, how do you approach writing? Is it lyrics first, melody first, or both together?
Hmmm… This is a tricky one. I have been mulling over in my mind different approaches to songwriting the last few months. To be honest after about 13 years of songwriting I have landed in a place where I still don’t know exactly how it works and who to listen too, as everyone seems to have a different opinion and a differing approaches that works for them.
So my understanding of how I do it is to just sing – to sing out from what is in my heart, to try and dig deep and be truthful, try to access what is real and let it come from the overflow. Sometimes what comes out never gets sung again – but other times I’ll remember it – it will stick in my mind or I’ll record it and then try and work it into something that can be crafted into a song. Sometimes these melodies end up being sung in church – and sometimes they were just for the bedroom – for me and God.
The more I TRY and complicate it the more frustrated I get about it – so I’ve resolved to just sing out from my heart and believed that if there is a song in me it will arise sooner or later.
Any closing words of advice or encouragement for the community here at Women In Worship?
I would just say, keep going. Keep on seeking God, worshipping Him with your life and being faithful with the smallest of things. Trust Him and know that whatever He has called you to do or be is irrevocable – all we have to do is be faithful with TODAY and serve him wholeheartedly.
Wherever you stand today worship Him – if you are at the front or the back, with a guitar in your hands or just a mop to clean the floors, if you have much to celebrate, or something to mourn, in frustration and also in abundance lift High the name of JESUS – be the biggest worshipper you know – even when NOBODY can see you or hear you. Then the sound of your voice will rise and reach the heavens – God loves us!!!!!
Thanks Nikki! It’s great to hear from you. We’ll be praying for Worship Central and the great stuff that you guys are doing! You can check out the website at http://worshipcentral.org
