John Francis & The Ruach Choir - Welcome In This Place

By Peggy Oliver

From the U.K. to the U.S., armed with a no-holds barred, no-nonsense mission for the Body of Christ, this pastor/author oversees a growing church amongst his duties. 

Many have seen Bishop John Francis on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) administering in word and song, the latter being demonstrated by his home church’s choir, The Ruach Choir on their debut, Welcome In This Place.  Ruach Ministries, in South London, started with just a handful but developed into one of the U.K.’s largest congregations. 

They are best known for backing Pastor Donnie McClurkin on his Live In London (Verity Records) project.  Francis hosts an extremely popular “Order My Steps” TV program, broadcasting with an audience stretching into the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.  He has also performed before various royalty and works together in tandem for conferences and guest appearances with wife and Ruach co-pastor, Penny.

Available as the lead and bonus remix, Where Everybody Is Somebody takes everybody into account, as far as the Lord is concerned: “this is the house of grace.”  Watchman (David Williams), who has a stellar testimony, handles rugged reggae business on the remix: “God is the Principal, He loves you more than is thinkable.”

A Caribbean breeze sweeps Sing Unto The Lord, one of many favorites at Ruach Ministries: “If you lift Him higher, He will draw us” (James 4:8).  Praise buster The Lion Of Judah, plunges into a Francis mini-sermon about acquiring victory citing Job’s predicament (Job 23:8-10).

Ready to fight the fire?  Imagine being in the middle of a lingering trial but there’s a valuable lesson on the other side: “My strength it perished, it died, but You brought me back to life.”  This track flows with some sixties Motown.

The invitation can’t be refused as the title track finds the Ruach voices melting into His presence.  Worthy strikes with a pleasing African flow, climaxing into an acappella African praise chorus.  Like the previous piece, zig-zagging harmonies invigorate the atmosphere for I Will Sing Praises: “we will exhalt Your name together” (Psalm 34:3).