You are the song

|PIC1|If you ask Hannah Franklin where she came from, she'd tell you herself: "from out of nowhere." Aged just 23, Hannah Franklin is a powerfully anointed speaker and singer, worshipper and dreamer of dreams. Pastoring young people in rural Lincolnshire, she lives to see revival locally and to reach a generation for Christ.

Her deep desire is manifest in her ministry of the word, her singing and in an extraordinary and radical testimony. Hannah's performance ministry was transformed three years ago, when Ray Goudie, of NGM Ministries cast her as the lead in his hit musical 'Luv Esther' now approaching its 5th year on the road.

Hannah has loved her time in the show, "We are doing something that is breaking boundaries and we are doing what God wants us to do, so it is cool. It's everything I've ever dreamed about."

Then Ray approached Hannah with some more exciting news. Hannah explains "God had reminded Ray of a project he hadn't touched for years, to create an album inspired by the women of the Bible. I mean the Scripture is what makes me come alive!"

For both parties You Are the Song is literally a dream come true. Ray combines his considerable songwriting expertise with the skills of Phil Barlow, and with the fresh edge and big sound which writers/co-producers Tom Mills and Dan Goudie serve up.

The title track opens proceedings with a victory-cry. 'You Are The Song' is Miriam's shout, straight out of Exodus 15: a song of praise for His deliverance, for magnitude of who God is. Hot on its heels, 'If Only' is an angsty riff-driven pop gem, taking us into Martha's blame game over the death of her brother Lazarus.

Other songs explore the situation of Hagar ('Just One Look'), the mother of the Prodigal Son ('Come Home') Mary's Magnificat ('I Am Blessed'), Hannah, the mother of Samuel ('You Lift My Head') and Ruth ('This is Forever').

You are the Song declares the message of the Gospel, through both the biblical and modern stories it tells. Hannah will now be taking her songs on the road, uniting it with her gifts as preacher, with the faith to see God move. From contemporary pop blazing with praise, to ballads which sweep towards the throne, Hannah Franklin leads people into a place of transforming intimacy with Jesus.

You are the Song is released by Integrity Music in October.