Ken Reynolds | 1 W 1 G

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Ken Reynolds – 1 W 1 G (One World One God)

 

As a worship pastor observing the various world cultures that encompassed various churches, Ken Reynolds sensed a stronger sense of urgency about what his role in ministry would be.  Taking into account his diverse interest in music and his desire to unify others in worship, he has positioned himself to write, arrange and sing songs about God while serving with cross-cultural churches in his own backyard.  Currently the pastor at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, Michigan, Reynolds was introduced to the national scene with the 2005 release, Great Things.  With different genres from jazz to Latin to pop, his independent debut easily flowed into a refreshing praise and worship experience that eventually caught the attention of the worldwide gospel company Integrity Music.  Three years later, Great Things was re-released; one year after Integrity presented For You I Live,featuring the talent from Resurrection Life’s worship team. Staying true to his previous recordings, Reynolds joins forces with Resurrection Life and other church choirs who have influenced his distinct inspirational journey on 1 W 1 G (One World One God).  

 

Along with Integrity Music, Reynolds along with Israel Houghton, Martha Munizzi and Australian based Hillsongs Worship have intensified the global praise territory.  Even high profile urban worship leaders like Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond are extremely conscientious about unifying different faiths and cultures.   Throughout his musical ministry, crossing cultural boundaries always seemed natural to Reynolds considering his appreciation for music in general. 

 

Reynolds soaked up a wide array of influences during his childhood from R&B/funk band The Gap Band to symphonies composed by Tchaikovsky.   The Michigan native first broke into the music business with contemporary gospel group His Image, who recorded on Detroit-based Inner Court Music.  His Image hit their stride during a period in the nineties when male vocal groups were dominant like The Winans and Commissioned.  As the principal songwriter for His Image, Reynolds realized the groups’ overall sound reached many cultures.

 

Yet as Reynolds was balancing the priorities of leading worship for his church at the time another cross-cultural church, Madison Square Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his eventual calling was coming to fruition.   From that point on, the floodgates opened for Reynolds to concentrate on his ultimate heart’s desire by reaching multitudes around the world.   There was also a confirmation in his heart as church visitors from different countries including Korea who immediately started grasping his praise and worship compositions.   

 

Inspired by the scripture Ephesians 4:6 that states there is only one God and one faith, Reynolds once again stresses musical diversity and a unified purpose in worship for 1 W 1 G (One World One God).  One World One God is also a special reunion for Reynolds as he joins with the mass choirs from his close associations with Madison Square, New Hope Baptist and host Resurrection Life congregations. 

 

With a lengthier than usual listening session of almost one hour and fifteen  minutes, there were several moments that immediately caught my attention.  The Broadway music angle of “Not Ashamed” and “Stand Up” lights up this praise and worship setting.  Fellow Michigan native Darick Rutley injects a subtle soulful touch with “Your Will.”   The‘I Am’ Medley segues two original pieces topped with a unique arrangement by Reynolds of “I Give You My Heart” by Rueben Morgan.  Finally,I dub my ‘get up and dance praise’ award (as well as my favorite track by far) to the sizzling Latin induced “La Buena Vida,” anchored by an electrifying lead by El Salvador resident Lucia Parker in both English and Spanish. 

 

As a whole, the three mass choirs’ passion level is constantly spirited and their vocal presentation is always exquisite.  However, Reynolds’ lead vocal approach on One World One God can be slightly subdued at times compa
red to his previous work Great Things.  In the long run though, that factor is not usually a major distraction.  If anything, Reynolds’ observations about connecting with people with different musical languages for the sake of worship is his strongest musical suit.   

 

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene