Dave Markee: The veteran rock man

Tuesday 1st April 1997

From playing stadium gigs with Eric Clapton to leading worship in settings large and humble, DAVE MARKEE has done it all. The rock industry veteran spoke to Stuart Dearsley.



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Why the market place?
"I feel that God chose to have this church in the market place. It's an amazing place. I speak to so many people and am beginning to build up relationships with them. I don't want to preach the gospel straight away. You have to gain a trust first and believe me the market place has a lot of potential. I've learnt things and we're having a Christmas party here for them as well."

How has Folly's End developed?
"It all started in January 1984 when we used to hold meetings in our house, but after a while we moved out and in September of this year we moved into our premises in Surrey Street. The Americans say there are three important things about a building; location, location and location! We're now in the heart of Croydon which has the largest number of workers outside the West End! I have a staff of 30 and we have a big vision here. We have plans on education, counselling, children, Bible School, a Christian Training Institute, schools of prophecy, of the Spirit and also music."

Education seems to be proving a success already.
"Back in 1990 we started a school in borrowed premises and the number of pupils has doubled in the last two years and we now have over 50 attending. We are at present looking for a new building and I am hoping to progress into secondary education as well. We currently have a long waiting list and over the next 10 years we expect to have over 300."

You've also taken the rather unusual step of instigating a Research And Development department.
"When most churches aim at growth they look to evangelists, but I felt that God was pointing me in a different direction. The leader of the R&D department is a top London research manager and she works for me two days a week. It's still in the early stages at the moment and is part of a five-year plan.

"As a church we are currently taking time to find out God's will and we are looking to push the boundaries out. People today are searching and if we don't reach them, they will find something else."

I believe you're quite involved with Toronto?
"It all started a couple of years ago in March '94 when a friend of mine, Dan Cutrona, rang me to tell me about the Toronto Blessing and wanted to know what I thought about it. I said I couldn't tell him without seeing it myself and it was June '94 when I finally got over there.

"I found it an incredible blessing and experience. One of the most valuable things is being intimate with God and here were a group of people prepared to be intimate with God.

"It was a great challenge to decide if God was there. I was impacted by the Spirit and it smelt like God, it felt like God and it looked like God! I talked to the worship leaders and started friendships, one of whom was Jeremy Sinnott, the worship leader and assistant pastor. After that, I studied and got the theology together and decided it was definitely a Biblical manifestation.

"During that first weekend I was blown away by the power of God and attended a Brian Doerkson concert and after being prayed for I spent the next four hours on the floor! I led worship at their January celebration in front of 2,500 people and I've just come back from their Festival Of Joy which was a worship conference attended by such people as Bob Fitts, Larry Norman, Graham Kendrick, Kevin Prosch and there were over 5,000 people there."

What gigs stand out in your memory?
"On a negative side, one I played in Warsaw with Eric in the early '80s. The fans were getting excited and the police started beating them up in front of us! On a positive side I've had lots of amazing ones, in fact probably too many to mention. The recent few at the conference were excellent and some of the most anointing times ever. When the power of God is flowing over that many people it really is an awesome sight. It feels like Heaven and it's a great sensation to play music and be yourself."

What are your hopes, ambitions and plans for the future?
"Ultimately, I want to fulfil the destiny God has for my life and to do the work he has for me here at Folly's End and its associated projects. I want to lay the foundations for the future generations and I want to see my music affecting a wider audience." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
 
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Reader Comments

Posted by Joan Tully in Essex @ 12:13 on Sep 13 2017

I'm just re-typing your 'Sometimes when I feel out on my own' to use at a Cafe Church - great song and timeless



Posted by Doreen and Terry Goo in London @ 11:29 on Nov 25 2014

We met Dave recently whilst on holiday and perceived Dave to be an extremely spiritual, genuine, caring gentleman. It was our pleasure to add Dave to our list of acquaintances.



Posted by Jo-Ann in Las Vegas @ 22:27 on May 4 2013

I heard about Dave through an article by Sheila Walsh. I think it's great how the Lord changed your life. Stay strong in the Lord!



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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