Dave Pope: The Jesus Music, Spring Harvest, Saltmine Trust veteran

Sunday 9th February 2014

Tony Cummings charts the five-decade history of Christian music pioneer DAVE POPE



Continued from page 2

In the latter part of the '80s and through the '90s Dave seemed to have taken up residence at the Butlin's holiday camp. He explained, "I think I've done 26 Spring Harvests in all. In one year, because of Spring Harvest and other conferences that use Butlins, I spent a sixth of my time on a Butlins holiday site. I watched the evolution. Don't forget that in the '70s Filey was held at the Butlins holiday camp so they were really the hi-de-hi days. Whereas at the end of 26 years of Spring Harvest we were into something a little different."

Dave Pope 1994
Dave Pope 1994

In 1993 Word Records released a compilation 'The Best Of David Pope'. As it turned out it was his last release before Pope/Daniels' unexpected return with 'Still Waters'. Said the veteran, "I'm still very much involved in the music thing but I like to respond to invitations when there's a band already in place, when they know my stuff and they are fairly well rehearsed and where you don't have to go through all the trials and tribulations of broken down vans on the motorway. Yes, ok. I've got lazy. But I really enjoy that kind of opportunity and over the past year I've done a concert over in Belfast, Praise Gathering in October. But I'm very much involved in mission. I'm on a number of mission boards. I'm involved in a work in South Africa amongst Aids victims in an orphanage in Johannesburg. I'm involved with a home for disabled children in Thailand that I helped to set up in 1992.

"I suppose one of my major involvements is with an Academy. Six years ago I was invited to take an initiative forward to change a failing school. I was challenged by the government, the then Prime Minister, to take the opportunity of looking for people who would support me in taking this school and putting in a new style of governance and also a Christian ethos and of turning it around. That's been my joy over the past six years. I found a sponsor and very gently we began to think through the design, we began to plan. The government built a brand new school - it was a 33 million pound investment - and even as of two nights ago I was at the Bright Stars Awards with children who probably six years ago wouldn't have achieved anything. The results have gone up, the Christian ethos is there. I love the opportunity of mentoring and counselling, I take assemblies. But more than that, I'm around when children are eating, when staff have got questions and I'm loving it. What's more it is just 12 miles from my home - in Great Bar in Birmingham. It's called Q3 Academy. It's been very exciting. It's a secondary school and I've loved that opportunity because although I do love the performance thing I actually like the one to one encounters too. And it's funny. . . we mentioned the accident a little while ago. It was that that reminded me we should never try to work round our sensitive side because it's often our sensitivity to hurt, to pain, to emotion that draws us alongside people who are possibly on a similar kind of journey. The performance thing is great because you can say praise the lord, there's power in praise. There may be 2,000 people out there [in the audience] but there's not that contact, whereas you've got a mum who's just lost a baby and you're sitting talking to her and then you can say things without the crowds. Very important."

Dave continued, 'I'm very much at peace with myself and I think that's very important to say that. I love doing what I'm doing. I'm a person who's always looking for a new challenge and as I look back - I mean, just this opportunity tonight when you've reminded me of stuff that quite frankly my grey matter had discarded or put to one side, is actually a reminder of God's faithfulness. What I'm deeply aware of is that we are all very weak people really and without God's strength taking us on - I could have come off the rails very easily many, many times. And I'm thankful. I'm 65 years of age and God has looked after me. He hasn't given me everything that I want but I've got what I need and he's given me great opportunities to communicate why I do what I do. So I do look back with a sense of thankfulness, probably not achievement but a sense of yes, I've enjoyed what's come my way but tomorrow is a new day. I'm going to do another year with the Academy. If the opportunity comes to do a bit more music as is coming with Praise Gathering and Ian Watson up there in Glasgow I'll take that. If it means having a bit of input into mission stations in India and Thailand and South Africa, I love to be there and encourage people who are just setting out in being of service. So it's that whole tapestry of opportunity that I love but at the same time I also want time by myself, to catch up on a lot of reading, maybe to write a little bit. And just to take the foot off the accelerator and enjoy life as well." 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.
About Tony Cummings
Tony CummingsTony Cummings is the music editor for Cross Rhythms website and attends Grace Church in Stoke-on-Trent.


 
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Reader Comments

Posted by Pauline hall in Wednesbury West Midlands uk @ 23:49 on Feb 10 2020

I first saw Dave Pope and John Daniels at a rally in Dudley at Bishop Milner school ( I think that’s the name) they were brilliant and I think saves brother Maurice was there also. Then I went to Filey quite a few times until they closed it down. We used to have the most amazing times there. Sheila Walsh was just starting her career. She was amazing. Also Ray and Nancy Goudie such lovely people. We were one of the gangs that always got you to visit our chalet after the night shows. Such amazing times. So glad you’ve started recording again.



Posted by Martyn Dury in Bristol @ 08:03 on Nov 24 2019

Hi Dave, I am a friend of Derek Cleave. My friend and myself first met you at Worthing college in 1993. We had a wonderful time. The pianist for the week was Esther Brooks. What a great encouragement you were. I have gone on to serve the Lord. Thank you Martyn



Posted by Kevin Palau in Oregon, USA @ 00:21 on Jul 22 2019

Some of my best teenage memories are spending several Summers' hearing Dave sing and lead worship (often with John Pantry) in the late '70's and early '80's as my Dad, evangelist, Luis Palau, toured around the UK. I still remember so many of those awesome worship songs...




Posted by Leif Andersen in Denmark @ 10:59 on Apr 1 2019

Your music in the early days had a great impact on my life. in the early 70s I was a young man. Loving the music, friends listing to all sorts. I wanted Jesus there too. I found Writing On The Wall and loved it, it has played many times every years since (now Ive digitized it), especially Do You Believe Hes Coming is still really getting to me.

Thank you, your music helped me.



Posted by Jean Bishop-Greentre in Londonderry @ 10:15 on Mar 11 2019

It's been a while since hearing of Dave. Wow, I've learnt so much reading this. God bless you Dave in all that you are doing now for The Lord 🙏



Posted by Paul Watson in London @ 07:14 on Feb 18 2019

Dave Pope, ministry in song and Christian music had a great impact upon me in the early years of of my Christian life not long after my conversion to Christ in 1973, but then listing to Dave for the first time in 1975 at the Filey Christian convention when Dave was part of the MWE the movment for world evangelisation. I'm grateful to God for those early days and for the way the Lord used Dave to spear on and encourage young Christians in their daily walk with Jesus. Thank you Dave the Lord bless and keep you always.



Posted by Chris Morison in SW (Bristol) @ 23:09 on Feb 12 2019

Hi Dave
For some reason you came into my mind! It’s now about 60yeats since we met when represented our Methodist fDisyricts in Vienna at the European youth conference . What a time that was! What a lot has happened since too - for both of us. We lost touch after a few years . I’m still active in church life . I had the privilege of serving as National MAYC President in the early 80’s and a lot of water has gone under the bridge . It would be wonderful to catch up properly ?
Blessings and love
ChrisF




Posted by Chrissie O’Brien in Jersey @ 21:38 on Jan 26 2019

I am so thrilled to read Dave Popes story. So moving and so wonderfully honest. I doubt you remember me from years gone by in Jersey. A silly misguided teenager but I always remember your wonderful voice and kindness to me at Filey letting me sing ( I was terrible). You are an inspiration to many. Chrissie O’Brien nee Measday



Posted by Fred spurrier in Knaresborough @ 16:40 on Jul 1 2018

I really enjoyed hearing Dave Pope singing so meaningfully at times when some Christians could derive encouragement from him. I remember a record on which I think that he sang with the Alethians. My favourite song was called One Way Jesus Christ. Or is my memory bad as I am now 88 and all that must have been in the 1950's. Does any one have the words to,that song?Ro




Posted by Sudeep Sonawane in SURAT @ 14:15 on Nov 28 2017

I cannot say 'I visited this website by chance,' because God works in ways we do not understand! I met with Dave Pope and Rev Ian Coffey in 1982. For three Bombay boys, in the early 20s and an older guy in his late 20s, on their maiden visit to the Himalayan town of Musoorie, the winter cold hit them hard. Dave's praise and worship sessions and Rev Coffey's warm Bible exposition over three days at an event called Ventures 82 that drew Christian youth from all over India, dissipatedthat cold. Those three days changed my life forever. Dave's singing, acoustic guitar and piano renditions touched all youth. Dave's singing apart, Rev Coffey's messages and Bible study sessions left a lasting legacy on me. Thirty years later I again met with Dave in Doha, Qatar. He was a panel speaker at a business conference I attended as reporter for Qatar News Agency. I did not know till today that Dave went through the ordeal of a tragic accident a few months after the high of Ventures '82 event. Life throws good and bad experiences. We take the good memories and move on in life. It was nice to read Dave's life and times and his work for the Saltmine Trust. God bless all. Sudeep Sonawane, Surat, Gujarat, India.+919920438616.



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