Ian ClarkeInternational worship leader and composer Dave Bilbrough and his band are heading for Gorleston and will be aiming to inspire the next generation of worship songwriters.Ian Clarke

International worship leader and composer Dave Bilbrough and his band are heading for Gorleston and will be aiming to inspire the next generation of worship songwriters.

Dave and his team will be giving a concert on February 7 and leading a series of workshops.

He became a Christian as a teen-ager and one of his first compositions was "Abba Father", which went on to be popular around the world and is still used regularly today.

Over the years Dave added several more classics including "I am a New Creation" and "All Hail the Lamb."

He first led worship at the Royal Albert Hall at the age of 19 and since then has gone on to be greatly in demand, including at the Spring Harvest events at Butlins.

His ministry takes him all over the world and he has special links with Africa.

Dave has also appeared regularly on television and been involved as a judge of the new hymn writers competition jointly run by Radio Two and BBC local stations, including Radio Norfolk.

The workshops and concerts are being jointly organised by Gorleston and Bradwell Churches Together and the local East Norfolk branch of Youth for Christ, Unite.

The theme of Dave's latest CD "People of Promise" is bringing people together.

Unite's Matt Gooch said: "We're very fortunate to have Dave and his band, not just to bring a great celebration concert of his music, but to share their skills with others. It's a real opportunity for people to learn from their experience."

Dave will be leading a workshop on composition as well as another for worship leaders. There will also be a practical session from his wife Pat on using simple percussion for fun in worship for both adults and in children's work.

There are also workshops for those who want to be more confident in reading the Bible and leading pray-ers in public, and on how to get more publicity for church events. These two events will be run by broadcaster and journalist Tony Mallion.

Dave said he is looking forward to visiting the area and promised the concert would be a mixture of old and new songs to appeal to all ages.

The events are at St Andrew's Church, Gorleston, with workshops from 2pm and the concert at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the workshops and concerts are �5 each and bookings and more details can be obtained on 01493 662263 or 07733 143660.