Introducing Joseph Perry

Introducing Joseph Perry

Let us introduce Joseph Perry. Joseph is based at City Gates Church in Ilford. He is a very talented young man. We caught up with Joseph to find out a bit more about him and his role at church.

Tell us about yourself?

I'm a follower of Jesus who loves to worship God with the musical ability he's gifted me with! I'm competitive, I love to travel, I enjoy reading books and am extremely passionate about the red side of Manchester (Man United).

You are based at City Gates Church Ilford tell us a bit about your role?

I'm the Creative Director at City Gates Church. I love the role so much. It's a joy that I get to use my giftings to build the local church and serve the people of Ilford and the surrounding areas. I lead the worship team and generally oversee all creative aspects within the life of Church. I work with such an incredible group of people that really makes the role super easy if I'm honest!

You’ve been leading musical worship for a number of years, what would be your advice to someone who is starting out leading worship in there local church?

Yes, I've probably been leading worship for about 7 or 8 years now! It's crazy, I didn't want to ever lead worship. I was adamant, I was just happy playing keys, no way would you find me singing. Until one day I said yes, as John asked if I'd be up for leading! I've kept saying yes ever since. For someone starting out, I would say explore the breadth and the diversity of the church.

Every church is distinct, there are so many ways of expressing worship through music, and a lot of time it boils down to preference. Never see one way of doing it as better than the other. The church is beautiful in it's diversity, embrace all of it! It will help you encounter Jesus in whichever environment you find yourself in!

You were apart of the Gathering 100 recently - how did that go?

The Gathering 100 was phenomenal. I nearly didn't make it! I'd been having some severe throat problems and had actually told the team I'd have to pull out. To be honest, I didn't fully recover but still went ahead and lead with the team. We had an amazing time, it's always fun worshipping with those guys! I did have to stop singing for a good few weeks after that, but it was worth it!!

What inspires you at the moment?

As I mentioned earlier, the diversity of the church is inspiring me at the moment! I'm really loving what's coming out of Elevation Church at the moment, and equally all that Bethel Church and IHOP are doing! I'm equally inspired by the simplicity of church's that embrace hymns and old choruses. So yes, I'm inspired by seeing people do what I do, differently!

What’s next for Joseph Perry?

What's next for me? Well, we're in the middle of recording a City Gates Worship album, which will be released in the middle of the new year, to coincide with the opening of our brand new worship facility, which we're all very excited about. So yes, we’re in the studio at the moment with the band and singers, and it's all coming along very well!