One of the leaders of the 'new wave of worship' effecting Britain's churches, MATT REDMAN, spoke at length to Steve Cox.

"At Christmas, we had between 2,500-3,000 at a secular rave venue in Milton Keynes. It was a really special time and about 200 people became Christians. But, more than anything, our hearts are for the Soul Survivor church in Watford which we planted a couple of years ago. Basically, we just want to get on with doing the work of the Kingdom at grass roots instead of at conferences. We bought a warehouse last year, which includes the offices for the Soul Survivor conferences but, more importantly, the church for Soul Survivor in Watford."

When I suggested that some Christians might see this as a Youth Church, Matt wasn't too enthralled with that particular title.

"We probably wouldn't be 100 per cent comfortable with that term. We might call it a church where that age group feel comfortable. Although the majority might be in their teens and 20s, we do have a lot of people who are older but our evangelistic emphasis is definitely in reaching teens and 20s. All the Soul Survivor stuff is coming from here and the Soul Survivor team is based right here in Watford."

As the Soul Survivor bandwagon gathers pace, there are plans to take the roadshow to Norway and, in 1998, a Soul Survivor in South Africa. As Matt reeled off a great list of dates, it was impossible to separate the ministry of Matt Redman, the worship leader, from the local, national and international work of Soul Survivor. As a full time worship leader, I asked him what a typical Matt Redman day might involve.

"A whole lot of things really - replying to letters, sending someone a PA specification list for an event, getting bands together, talking to different worship leaders. Once a week I allocate a day for music, practising songs, playing the guitar and just trying to get something together for worship. I'm also involved with the leadership at Soul Survivor in Watford which means staff meetings. One of my main jobs is to try and build a team of worshippers."

There must be days when Matt Redman gets sick and tired of leading worship, when he would rather let someone else take the responsibility and just be part of the crowd.

"No, I don't really. People always say you're so busy but I don't really do anything else. Some days you might feel you've done it too much, but you have to remember the Lord is always worthy. You have to make a sacrifice and, so often, when you get up you meet with the Lord. I get up in the morning and feel it is a privilege to get paid to do it. More and more people are finding a wage for someone to pastor a worship team. It's such an important part of what we do at church. It's the first calling to worship and come near to the Lord. Everything flows out of that."

This desire to bring people to worship is reflected in Matt's new album, 'The Friendship And The Fear'. I wondered what inspired the title and whether the album revealed something of God's heart for the thousands of young Christians who look to a Matt Redman song to express their worship to God.

"The title comes from Psalm 25:14 where it says in the NIV, 'The Lord confides in those who fear him.' In the New Revised Standard version it says, 'The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him.' It explores the whole intimacy thing which, in a sense, has to be rooted in reverence and fear. Songs on the new album like 'Pure, Pure Heart', 'Bowing Down' and 'Show Me The Way Of The Cross' are really about holiness. I guess the Lord's been doing a similar thing with us at Soul Survivor, Watford.

"Most of the songs on the album seem to flow out of what is happening in the Church. 'Show Me The Way Of The Cross' is the result of something that's been stirring in me for ages. I've been reading a few quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and one says, 'When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.' It's the other side of the invitation to come and live. We have to die to self when we approach Christ."

Behind the fresh-faced, innocent image is a passion for all kinds of music from Joan Osborne and Alanis Morrisette to Ocean Colour Scene, Radiohead and Oasis. But Matt's real desire is to get back to basics.

"I've been trying to learn my craft as a musician, and I know I need to do that, but it mustn't become too high a priority. I'm listening to music all the time and many singers and musicians do inspire me but, in the end, what's going to make me a better worship leader is knowing the Lord more.

"Sometimes the simple things in Scripture are the most powerful like the widow's mite and how, in worldly terms, she didn't give much but gave everything she had, and when David fought Goliath without any armour, just a sling and the Lord. I know I've got to learn the music, but I think I've been spending too much time on that. The Lord's been telling me to get back to basics and to touch the heart of the person not just their ears."

Matt's father died when he was just seven years old and his mother remarried when he was 10. Things didn't quite work out with Matt's stepfather but the Lord turned these trying times into a real blessing. The young Matt Redman chose to get to know the Lord better and turn to him and I, for one, praise God that he chose the way of the Lord.

As we came to an end, I asked what ambitions the young Matt Redman has and felt mightily reassured that God is raising up young men to serve in his Kingdom; men with a real passion for the Lord which is birthed in reverence, fear and, above all, genuine humility.

"There is a song on the album called 'Believer' where I dream of tongues of fire resting on young people. I dream of more miracles to come. I hope to see the coming healing of the nations. I long to see the prodigals return. We long to see the Church, nationally and internationally, waking up and being passionate about God. But, more than anything, I'm passionate about seeing Watford saved. I don't care how I'm involved. I just want to see the people of Watford come to the Lord. That's the kind of thing I dream about."