Pastor Lee was my guest this evening for his radio début. Lee is the new Elim Pastor in Ingatestone, having previously been at the church in Epping for ten years. Lee told us that after going to a C. of E. church as a child and being in the choir and enjoying that, he decided to go the local Free Methodist Church in Preston, Lancashire. Here he discovered a lot of other young people and he felt his faith grow. Lee was only fifteen when he felt that God wanted him to be a pastor. This was so strong that he decided not to go to college but get some experience of life. He got a job repairing sewing machines, a skill that he continues to find useful. He went to training college to study for a degree in theology before going at a young age as a pastor to Epping. Here he came involved in youth work and chaplaincy work at a local Secondary School. He still works there a day a week having moved to Ingatestone. Here Lee has been thrilled by the welcome he has received and looks to develop the work of the church so it can be a blessing to the community. He said that in the 1930s the church was “at the cutting edge” and he wants to help lead it to be there again.
Thursday would have been Elvis Presley’s 80th birthday and we marked that in the second hour both musically and with a story about the sale on Thursday of the very first disc Elvis ever cut as a demo to hear his voice. It had never been up for sale before and sold for $300,000. Lee in the chatroom told us that when Elvis was conscripted into the U. S. Army he gave all his salary to charity and bought extra uniforms for all those in the unit. He also told us it was Jimmy Page’s 71st birthday. When Brad arrived he was astounded to think Jimmy was that age. We also heard about Luke Cameron who completed 365 good deeds in 2014. It would be great if he inspired others during this year.
Tonight’s playlist
Booker T & MG’s – Crazy – show theme
Lady Antebellum – Down South
Elvis Presley – In the ghetto – Elvis did not want to record this track as he thought it was too political.
Bon Jovi – Living on a prayer – chosen by Lee as ideal driving music. We all imagined driving up the A1 to Scotland with in playing. Chris e-mailed in to say how much she loved this track and was dancing around the kitchen.
Katherine Jenkins – Rejoice – chosen by Lee and associated with the birth of his first child Martha in January 2008. He played this track every time he got up in the night getting her back to sleep.
Rend Collective Experiment – Love Divine – chosen by Lee and a very interesting modern take on a traditional hymn. The last verse was used as part of a medley at the commissioning service at Regents Theological College.
Pharrel Williams – Happy
Elvis Presley – Wooden heart – requested by Phyl
Elvis Presley – Crying in the chapel – when did you last hear this track?
Led Zeppelin – Misty Mountain Hop – Happy Birthday Jimmy Page and requested on the show blog by Lee in Ingatestone.
Chris Rea – Let’s dance – requested by Michael
Troggs – Love is all around – requested by Patrick
Jamie Cullum & Gregory Porter – Don’t let me be misunderstood
Walker Brothers – The sun ain’t gonna shine and more – for Susan who is, and always has been, a big Walker Brothers fan.
Dolly Parton – If I had wings
Madness – NW5 – do you remember this track released in January 2008?
Rumer – Aretha.
Join me next week for another edition of Friday Night Extra, live from Brentwood.
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