Bethel Church, where Bill Johnson is Senior Pastor, has been training young worship leaders and songwriters for 10 years, and from this Jesus Culture has emerged. Jesus Culture’s Encounter events have now captured the attention of the church worldwide.

Tours throughout the US, Australia and the now the UK have seen word spread fast. Australian songwriter and worship leader Darlene Zschech is a notable supporter, recently Twittering: “Jesus Culture…a must have for all those who love worship. My soul is inspired, my spirit is soaring. Jesus is everything."

Jesus Culture reached the UK in September with a six city tour that featured Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala. Several thousand people attended the dates, which ended in Harrogate on 11 October, through little more than word of mouth!

Songs written by Jesus Culture worship leaders are also attracting international attention. Kim Walker-Smith’s song How He Loves has received over 1.2 million hits on YouTube, and is being picked up by churches throughout the UK.

Elevation released the first seven albums from Jesus Culture Music immediately, with an official launch on 1 February. They include four live recordings of the Jesus Culture Encounter events featuring Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala and Melissa How (formerly Wise), plus solo worship albums from Walker-Smith and other Jesus Culture worship leaders Kristene Mueller and Jake Hamilton.

Of the Encounter recordings, the latest, Consumed, as well as We Cry Out (featuring How He Loves) and Your Love Never Fails feature the full album on CD and DVD.

Said Jesus Culture’s Managing Director, Jerry Niswander; "Jesus Culture is really excited to partner with Elevation Music. They were more than a distribution company to partner with, we believed our hearts were linked together with the same passion and vision to reach a world through Christ-centred worship music.

"I recently met with Phil Loose and his team while in the UK and was even more convinced that Jesus Culture made the right decision as I learned more about the people running Elevation and their desire and heart for God. I look forward to see how this relationship continues to unfold as we partner together to connect the world through worshipping God."

Director of Elevation, Phil Loose, described the partnership with Jesus Culture as about seeing lives radically transformed. “Jesus Culture is a unique and special ministry-focused team of God’s extraordinary people. We’re excited to share their journey, and committed to seeing Jesus touch people and equip His church through their music and ministry.”

In the summer of 1999, the youth group led by Banning Liebscher at Bethel Church in Redding, California, launched the first Jesus Culture conference. The heart of these gatherings was to serve other churches and lead young people to experience the radical love of God. At each conference there was a strong presence of the Lord, and the youth and young adults were going back to their homes, schools, work places and churches, completely impassioned and transformed.

It soon became very clear to us that worship was to be a significant part of our movement. Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala, and Melissa How were worship leaders at our local youth group, and the Lord began to use them to bring an entire generation into whole-hearted worship.

On the web: www.elevationmusic.com