name=Welcome to Wellspring
__Wellspring__ is an interdenominational worship group based in the north of England who have a special interest in bringing fresh vision to worship and encouraging the rediscovery of the creative arts within the wider church.

[pic\home_01\square]
We believe God still wants us all to draw on the deep 'wells' of God's refreshing water/Spirit //(John 4)//, to minister his love, grace and compassion as we ‘walk the ancient pathways' //(Jeremiah 6:16)// to the ancient meeting places and to cry out to God to ‘bestow crowns of beauty instead of ashes’ //(Isaiah 61:3)//.

It is a missional call to musicians & artists to continue to serve their Lord, wherever He may have need of us and through that worship share good news with the church and the world in this rapidly changing world.

name=A Brief History
[pic\biog_00][pic\biog_01]
Wellspring began in 1984 as a collaboration of friends, mainly from the professional classical music world, who were called to work together to bring fresh vision to worship. Many of those involved in the group are professional musicians playing regularly with well-known orchestras and ensembles around the UK and in Europe.

During the first years of our ministry, Wellspring was involved in many teaching weekends and days on worship throughout the UK. Since then the ministry has expanded and is now involved in many worship events, classical and jazz concerts. The group has led worship for large conferences run by Spring Harvest, Anglican Renewal Ministries and others, and has made several trips abroad, visiting Pakistan, Germany, USA, France, Switzerland, China, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Jersey, Hungary and Singapore!

The group has performed over 100 times on BBC radio and television including the //Daily Service// on Radio 4 and //Songs of Praise// on BBC1.

name=Our Calling
God has called us to teach what He has given to us as a group, and also to model worship that is acceptable to a wide cross-section of the church. Our desire has been to broaden people's understanding of worship so that it isn't just a narrow spectrum of likes and dislikes. We have sought to help people to see the value of different forms of music in worship, from contemporary choruses to traditional hymns, classical music, jazz, improvised music, and linking prayer and worship together. God has given us the opportunity and privilege to minister in many parts of the church, from charismatic house-churches through to formal cathedrals, from those which have been closed to contemporary worship to those who'd rejected anything more than 10 years old!

Although the outworking of our ministry has changed over time, our basic calling has remained the same. Using the gifts that God has given us, we've been able to build bridges between those of different churchmanship (charismatic, evangelical, high church etc.) and between the different generations in the church. We also want to release gifts that are often left unused in many churches; too often instrumentalists and singers sit in church with no outlet for their God-given skills.

[pic\biog_02]
One of God's main giftings to the group has been the use of the instruments in ministry situations. Improvising with our instruments has become a hallmark, not only within the context of worship but also in situations where prayer or ministry is being offered. We have found that as we offer our instruments to the Lord, He can speak very deeply to people, ministering His love, healing, hope, faith and more in ways that words would be unable to do.

name=Wellspring Today
Wellspring has always been a bridge between the old and the new, between classical and contemporary musicians and styles, and between churches of every hue. It is with confidence we sense God will continue to lead them in all that unifies God’s people.

[pic\news_02\square]

Wellspring has made a number of recordings; see our |recordings| page for further details and CD ordering. We also produce a quarterly prayer letter. Please go to our |contact| page to let us know if you'd like to receive this regularly via email.

Wellspring is headed up by Mike and Sally Thornton, based in Manchester, England.

Wellspring is also a registered charity, number 1105245. The trustees are Peter Adams and Mike Thornton.