Fans of good gospel music will visit Indianapolis this weekend to see an event that is sure to be unforgettable.
Pastor A. Thomas Hill, pastor of Healing Streams Word & Worship Center and a longtime fixture of the national gospel music scene, will hold a live recording concert for his first solo album, “Uncensored Worship, Unrestricted Praise.”
The concert, which will feature guest appearances from several popular gospel artists, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. at Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Rd. $15 tickets are still available for the public, and proceeds will benefit the Drive-By Prayer Vigil anti-violence ministry.
“I knew I wanted to do this someday and always had the dream to release a solo project, I just didn’t know when it would happen,” Hill said. “Years after receiving the call to move into ministry, music is still a significant part of my life, and God has now given me the release to do the project.”
Hill will sing several songs from the new album, and will have a reunion performance with the Pentecostal Ambassadors, the 1980s group he released several hit songs with, most famously “Hold On” and “Don’t Take It Away.”
Hill will join fellow original members Bishop Donald Golder and Pastor Remus Wright in a rendition of “Hold On,” as well as a new song.
Golder is now pastor of Temple of Praise Assembly in Indianapolis and Wright is currently pastor of Fountain of Praise Church in Houston.
Also scheduled to appear is vocalist Lisa Page-Brooks of the group Witness.
The concert is being produced by Michael Brooks, original keyboardist and songwriter with the legendary gospel band Commissioned, best known for classics like “I’m Going On,” “Running Back To You” and “Ordinary Just Won’t Do.”
Brooks said he first became familiar with Hill while both were very active in the recording industry during the 80s, but the two became friends after meeting during a church conference in Pittsburgh a few years ago.
“I’m really honored to participate in this project because Pastor Hill and his wife Carol are good friends of Lisa and I,” said Brooks.
Brooks has given special arrangements to several of Hill’s songs for live performance, and co-wrote three songs for the new album.
“I don’t really think people are ready for the scale and magnitude that we are doing this on,” said Brooks. “It is definitely going to be a wonderful worship experience.”
Hill established Healing Streams Word & Worship Center in 2003, after serving six years as associate pastor of outreach and foreign affairs for Eastern Star Church.
Hill accepted his call to full-time ministry in 1991 after a 20-year career with IBM. He has become well known as a frequent speaker during rallies for the Promise Keepers Men’s Ministry, and co-founder of the Drive-By Prayer Vigil ministry, whose members offer prayer and encouragement to families impacted by homicides.
He is also managing director of Upon This Rock Productions, which produces a popular passion play each year.
Hill said the new recording project will embrace a variety of gospel styles.
“It will be a mix of the traditional and the contemporary, but it is all uplifting praise and worship,” Hill said. “This is a very exciting season and I’m looking forward to what God has planned.”
Note: Free tickets to this event are no longer available, but special V.I.P. seating is still available for $15. For more information about ticket outlets call (317) 280-8077 or visit utrpro.com.
