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a new season for israel houghton
by George Martinez (George's bio)

After speaking to so many national Christian artists, I have come to believe that they all have an intriguing story to tell about their life. But every once in a while I'll hear about someone whose life is totally unique. This time it will be Israel Houghton. When I first read his story I couldn't help but think about God's Providence in life. I guess to understand clearly you would have to know his story.

First of all Israel is his real name. It's his birth name. It was given to him by his mother, whose story is just as remarkable. From the beginning, it was apparent that Israel was going to have to struggle to achieve any kind of success, if it were even possible. Here is the story as he tells it: "I come from a cross-cultural background, which is just a nice way of saying my father was black and my mother is white. My mother became pregnant at the age of 17 in Waterloo, Iowa. You can imagine how this is shaping up. She was given the choice of a back-alley abortion or being disowned by her family. Thank God she chose the latter. Ultimately, she was disowned, abandoned by my biological father, and ended up in San Diego, California."

As the story unfolds in 1971, Israel's mother was walking down the street when, "a lady pulled up in her Volkswagen Bug, got out, and respectfully yet boldly, began to share the Gospel with her." Isreal continues, "Words of life and hope began to overtake the words of rejection and abandonment she had grown accustomed to. There on a street corner, she ended up on her knees and cried out to God - committing her life to Jesus Christ. The lady gave her a Bible and that's how I got my name. My mother started reading at page one and well, you know - you have a Bible, my name is on every page!"

He explains: "In this age of disposable relationships, I could have easily become a statistic ... Instead, a Sovereign God rescued my mother and me and gave us hope, a future, and a testimony of the providence of God. The very least I can do is enter into His gates with fresh thanksgiving, His courts with a passionate praise, and eventually bow before His throne in intimate worship."

A life of trouble captured by God has created a music that Israel calls "New Breed Worship". Which brings us to his new CD titled "New Season With Israel And New Breed". It's a worship CD from Hosanna! Music, recorded live at Cornerstone Church in Toledo Ohio.

The music comes across with a different perspective than most worship CD's simply because of Israel and his mother's story. The music itself is beautiful, but after knowing the story, the lyrics have a deeper more personal meaning. Lines like "It's a new season it's a new day, a fresh anointing is flowing my way, It's a season of power and prosperity, It's a new season coming to me." And my personal favorite from this CD, Your Latter Will Be Greater "Your latter will be greater than your past, And you will be blessed more than you could ask, Despite all that has been done the best is yet to come."

Israel may be a Worship Leader, but let me add that he can preach a full message with each song. This is because he is so passionate about it all. When I hear him sing the lyrics of each song I am convinced that he means every word from the bottom of his heart. In fact, he sings his version of Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord) with an interlude. After singing "His joy comes with the morning", he calls on the congregation to shake the person next to them saying "Listen now! Joy comes in the morning! Wake up! The joy is here". He explains it something like this: morning doesn't necessarily have an "AM" after it. Morning happens when you "Wake Up!". It's nice to be waken up and experiencing the "Joy".

His new CD "New Season" from Hosanna! Music, is in Christian book stores now.

About George Martinez: George Martinez is the founder of Christian Songwriters Resource and Manager of several local Christian Artists. Look for the new Altared Records web site coming in January 2002 at www.altaredrecords.com. Phone 480-964-0710.