Worship Central

Tim Hughes and Al Gordon, both contemporary Christian songwriters, launched Worship Central in 2006 as a Birmingham, U.K.-based outfit dedicated to supplying resources that would spread the worship movement throughout England and beyond. Additional musicians such as Ben Cantelon, Josh Gauton, Nick Herbert, and Luke and Anna Hellebronth participate, allowing the organization to operate simultaneously as a widely followed worship band whose members share songwriting and vocal responsibilities. A 2009 compilation titled Lifting High appeared first, yet the 2011 release Spirit Break Out, blending contemporary pop with anthemic rock, propelled the collective into broader visibility by reaching the U.K. Top 75; at the same time the group issued a Mandarin-language album recorded with worship leaders drawn from across Asia. Momentum built from Spirit Break Out’s chart performance led to the 2013 live album Let It Be Known, which also entered the U.K. Top 75, followed a year later by Set Apart. In 2017 Worship Central delivered the studio album Mercy Road, incorporating further writing input from Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham.