Graham Kendrick and Steve Thompson-March for Jesus in Poland

July 4, 2013 Artur Pawlowski

When we started to use the music of Graham Kendrick in 2006 during our Calgary Stampede Parade and again in the March for Jesus Calgary in 2010, we were not aware that this particular music was given to Graham for the very purpose of people making a public declaration for Jesus and worshiping on the streets of their own cities. When we marched singing songs like “Shine Jesus Shine” and “We Believe”, we felt the Holy Spirit. A few years later we discovered that behind this wonderful praise and worship music is a man who led millions of people to the streets to celebrate what Jesus Christ did for all of us. Little did we know that a few years later, we would have the privileged of participating in another March for Jesus with him and his music director Steve Thompson.

Artur Pawlowski, Graham Kendrick and Steve Thompson (Our first meeting)

Graham and Steve arrived in Poland just few days before the march in Warsaw. What struck me the most about those two gentlemen was their humble spirits and a sense of ever present joy. Despite being featured in the media hundreds if not thousands of times in documentaries and in T.V and Radio interviews, they were able to keep their focus not on themselves but rather on the One who equips and empowers them to do what they are doing. It was very refreshing. Many times I have met with lots of so-called leaders, either in the political arena or in the church itself, and many times those encounters have left a bad taste in my mouth due to arrogance, pride or self-satisfaction. It drives me crazy. I believe that we are called to be servants and even more so when we have received an important position with the ability to impact many lives. With Graham and Steve, that is exactly what I felt. They came to serve not with their own agendas but that of the Kingdom of the Living God. Together we had opportunity to film them for a few documentary programs. They shared their passion for Jesus Christ and talked about their experiences in different countries. Graham showed us a t-shirt that he brought with him and told us a story of how in 24 hours they were able to start a March for Jesus at sun rise in one time zone and then get on a plane and travel all the way to another part of the world and finish another March for Jesus as the sun set. The name of Jesus was proclaimed in every time zone in the whole world. Amazing. I will personally cherish those moments that I had with those men. It is a great encouragement to be able to be around men who are passionate about Jesus Christ not just with words but with their lifestyle.

Member of Parliament John Godson, delegates from Nigeria and Graham Kendrick during the opening of the march in Warsaw.

Graham did the official opening of March for Jesus in Poland by cutting the red ribbon, representing the blood of Jesus. As he prayed and shared some of the stories from around the world, thousands were impacted with the love of God. When we finished the March for Jesus, Graham Kendrick and Steve Thompson along with local musicians from Poland blessed all with a concert in front of the royal castle. People had a fantastic time dancing and singing along. When Graham led people in a prayer for their nation, you could see hundreds holding hands and declaring the blessing of the living God upon their own country.

The March for Jesus and concert was shown on national television and was broadcast on national radio. The name of Jesus was lifted high not only in the capital city Warsaw during the march on the streets but also to millions of Poles who could not make it that day. God is absolutely amazing!

Graham and Steve during concert

On Sunday we had two more concerts in the church with Graham and Steve. This time we were taught a new song about Caleb and his desire to take the high hills. That was right on! It is my kind of a song. God give us the high hills. Give us the spirit of courage and power. Let us go for the Anakites! If God is for us who can be against us!

“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” Joshua 1:3

Graham Kendrick has been described as a ‘father of modern worship music’. For more than 30 years he has been at the forefront of Christian music in the UK having written and recorded hundreds of songs, many of which are well known around the world, including Shine Jesus Shine, Knowing You, The Servant King and Amazing Love.

Graham was one of the founders and the songwriter behind the global phenomenon March for Jesus, which has mobilized millions of Christians to ‘take the walls of the church’ and bring praise, prayer and acts of goodwill and reconciliation on to the streets. (Taken from Graham Kendrick’s official website:http://www.grahamkendrick.co.uk/about )

Here are the picture from our time together.