Alan Hoare is one of the most devoted students of Scripture I’ve been blessed to know, not just for his learning’s sake but for his passionate belief in its power to effect godly change in our lives. As a long-time friend and colleague, few men that I’ve known have so consistently put aside time to ‘mine’ Scripture for all its worth. The result is a disciple of Christ who can unpeel Scripture in layers, revealing God’s imminent presence through His Spirit-breathed Word.

Johnny Markin
Johnny is Emeritus Pastor of Worship Ministries at Northview Community Church, Abbottsford BC, overseeing the development of worship leaders and team training, and leading worship at various venues. He is also seconded to Trinity Western University, where he is an adjunct Instructor in the Worship Arts Department, developing leaders and instructing in worship theology.

My own spiritual journey benefited enormously from Alan’s enthusiastic passion for explaining the Scriptures to me as a friend. I wholeheartedly recommend his daily devotional: bite-sized nuggets of easy-to-understand yet challenging and life-changing theology.
Great stuff!

Andy Piercy
After his conversion, Andy spent three years with Ishmael as a musical duo working as full-time evangelists around the UK. He then spent many years touring and recording as lead singer and songwriter with a professional rock band, ‘After The Fire’. Afterwards, he became part of the worship leading team at Holy Trinity Brompton in London from 1993 to 2006. As well as writing and recording many of the songs used on Alpha and at HTB he has also produced records for Delirious, Matt Redman, Soul Survivor and Graham Kendrick. He is now a worship consultant, sharing his deep wisdom with worship teams both here in the UK and in the USA.

Alan and I have a long history together. We went to school together, played music together, and even went to Bible College together. This being the case, I think I know my old friend pretty well! Alan was always the studious one of the two of us. Whilst I would be reading music magazines, he would be reading Thomas à Kempis. Whilst I would be writing songs, he would be writing Bible studies. And whilst I would be singing to children, he would be sharing theological thoughts with fellow church leaders. So it comes as no surprise that my very learned and godly friend has now put some of his studies into print. With all the research, prayer and time that I know Alan has put into this book, I’m convinced that all who read it will be encouraged, spiritually fed and, most important of all, be brought closer to the God we love and serve. Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest!

Ishmael
Ishmael is well known for his children’s ministry over several decades and has written and recorded over 400 songs (including ‘Father God I Wonder’) and released around 40 albums of his own and other writers’ songs, having produced 15 of these. He has also released 5 music DVDs. Ishmael was ordained into the Anglican Church in 2007 and is now licensed to Chichester Cathedral as their non-stipendiary ‘Missioner Deacon’ and is affectionately known to the Bishop, Dean and Chapter, and congregation as ‘Deacon Ish!’

Alan’s one focus in ministry is God’s word. He loves teaching and particularly loves digging into the meaning of words. Alan is eager to find as much as possible in every verse he studies and wants that which he finds to be passed on to as many people as possible. The Song in the Gate is an example of how we begin our week at Alive Church Lincoln. Studying God’s word with help from dedicated and informed teachers opens the gate into God’s presence. Set a plan to use this material and be blessed.

Stuart Bell
Stuart Bell is the Senior Pastor of Alive Church, a growing multi-site church with several locations in the UK. He also leads the Ground Level Network, a network of around 90 churches and heads up ‘Partners for Influence UK’, a group of leaders representing influential churches and ministries across the UK. Stuart is actively involved in a number of national leadership forums and is an international speaker and teacher often working into both America and South Africa. Stuart has written four books.

I first met Alan over forty years ago. We worked closely together for two years on a church planting team in the South of France. His keen questioning spirit coupled with a deep desire to know the Lord impressed me then. The meditations contained in ‘The Song in the Gate’ demonstrate clearly that his thinking has matured and deepened. The unhurried reading of God’s Word has always been, and will always be, the source of effective Christian living. I’m sure that many will be blessed as they read this book.

Chris Short
Chris has a long history of mission. He led teams at Operation Mobilisation in France in the 70’s, before becoming the founding pastor of a Baptist church in Pontault-Combault, Paris. Over the years, this church has seen remarkable growth, and now meets in three locations. Since retirement, Chris has visited a number of countries sharing his deep experience of church planting and leadership principles.

Alan’s love of Scripture and his desire to live in the light of the Word is infectious and deeply inspiring. Having sat under Alan’s teaching for many years, I can honestly say that his considered study and application of the Word has challenged, inspired and encouraged me on countless occasions. My own personal love of Scripture is down in no small part to the depth and quality of Alan’s Bible teaching. As a worship leader I am continually drawn to the great songbook of Scripture and therefore I am thrilled that Alan has drawn together his teachings on the book of Psalms. These comprehensive studies encourage the reader to know in greater depth the beauty of the Psalms and their relevance to the twenty-first century Christian. Alan’s writing style is rich yet accessible to all, and I am certain that all who engage in these studies will be developed and discipled into a greater love for God and his Word.

Howard Williams
Over the years, Howard has led several worship teams, has written, recorded and produced worship songs and albums. For many years, he was the worship pastor at the New Life Christian Fellowship (now Alive Lincoln). He now is the executive pastor of Alive church, which meets in several locations. Howard is well known for his musical creativity and skills in directing big musical productions. Howard is married to Clare, one of the pastors at Alive Lincoln.