Brief History
Noel has been involved in the UK Christian Music scene since the age of 15. In the early years, he worked full time, as an associate with British Youth for Christ. Since 1980, he and his family have been based in Cobham, England. During this time, he has worked closely with Gerald Coates, leader of the Pioneer church network.
During the last 20 years, he has mainly been involved in leading worship and together with his wife Tricia and others, has written many worship songs. Perhaps the best known of these is "All Heaven Declares"
Noel has led worship at major events in the UK and elsewhere, such as Parachute Festival (NZ), March for Jesus (UK), Spring Harvest (UK), Worship Together (Canada, UK), Easter People (UK), This is the day (Hungary), Jesus Tag (Germany). He was also involved with The Call England, taking place in July 2002 and The Call New York City in June 2002 and San Francisco 2003.
Stadium Worship
In 1986, Noel began to get envisioned about large worship events taking place in football stadiums. This resulted in him organising "Champion of the World" at London"s Wembley Arena in 1996, which sold all 11,500 seats.
This was followed in 1997 with "Champion of the World" at London"s Wembley Stadium, with an attendance of almost 45,000, making it the biggest contemporary worship event ever staged in that venue.
In January 2000, Noel and his band had the privilege of playing at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, to a crowd of 66,000 people. This event was organised by BBC Television and was broadcast live to an audience of at least 5 million in the UK. HRH The Prince of Wales also attended this event.
Noel has played at smaller UK stadiums in Reading, Crewe, Gillingham, Bolton and Sheffield.
Calling All Nations
Berlin, Germany: Since 1997, Noel and his team have set their sights on Stadium events in other nations. The Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany has been a major focus since then. After a planning and preparation process of almost 9 years, the event 'Calling All nations' took place there on July 15th 2006. The vision for this event was to "summon the youth of the world and the young at heart" to worship and pray in that stadium. Around 25,000 people gathered there, from more than 42 different nations. It was a fantastic day! More on that event can be found at www.callingallnations.com
Budapest, Hungary: Noel is also working closely with a team in Budapest, who have a similar vision for the Peoples" Stadium (Nepstadion). This venue holds 70,000 people.
In June 2001, Noel and his band played at the Pioneer Stadium in Budapest at an event, which was attended by 10,000 people. On June 22nd 2002, the organisers filled the Kisstadion, which holds 15,000. Noel participated in this event and the next one in the grounds surrounding the Nepstadion on June 28th 2003. (www.ezazanap.hu)
Smaller Events
Having seen Noel in action in these large arenas, people could be forgiven for thinking that he is no longer available for smaller events. However, Noel is very much committed to working with local churches and the gatherings they organise. He is available for worship meetings/concerts and worship teaching events of any size. He is also keen to encourage emerging worship leaders, songwriters and musicians.
International
Noel has played in the following countries outside the UK:
Albania, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, USA, Zimbabwe.
Recording
As well as the albums listed on his discography, Noel has also appeared on numerous "live" worship event/compilation albums. The most successful of these is Sparrow records "I could sing of your love forever" on which Noel is featured singing a live version of "We want to see Jesus lifted high". This album has sold in excess of 500,000 units.
The Hudson Taylors
Noel has also collaborated with two other worship leaders, Wayne Drain (USA) and Brian Houston (Ireland). Together they recorded and toured under the band name of The Hudson Taylors. Their album - Hurricane - was released in the spring of 2002 on the Kingsway label. The album featured mainly new worship songs written by all three. The Hudson Taylors have toured in Canada, USA, Germany, Holland and the UK.
Noel has been involved in the UK Christian Music scene since the age of 15. In the early years, he worked full time, as an associate with British Youth for Christ. Since 1980, he and his family have been based in Cobham, England. During this time, he has worked closely with Gerald Coates, leader of the Pioneer church network.
During the last 20 years, he has mainly been involved in leading worship and together with his wife Tricia and others, has written many worship songs. Perhaps the best known of these is "All Heaven Declares"
Noel has led worship at major events in the UK and elsewhere, such as Parachute Festival (NZ), March for Jesus (UK), Spring Harvest (UK), Worship Together (Canada, UK), Easter People (UK), This is the day (Hungary), Jesus Tag (Germany). He was also involved with The Call England, taking place in July 2002 and The Call New York City in June 2002 and San Francisco 2003.
Stadium Worship
In 1986, Noel began to get envisioned about large worship events taking place in football stadiums. This resulted in him organising "Champion of the World" at London"s Wembley Arena in 1996, which sold all 11,500 seats.
This was followed in 1997 with "Champion of the World" at London"s Wembley Stadium, with an attendance of almost 45,000, making it the biggest contemporary worship event ever staged in that venue.
In January 2000, Noel and his band had the privilege of playing at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, to a crowd of 66,000 people. This event was organised by BBC Television and was broadcast live to an audience of at least 5 million in the UK. HRH The Prince of Wales also attended this event.
Noel has played at smaller UK stadiums in Reading, Crewe, Gillingham, Bolton and Sheffield.
Calling All Nations
Berlin, Germany: Since 1997, Noel and his team have set their sights on Stadium events in other nations. The Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany has been a major focus since then. After a planning and preparation process of almost 9 years, the event 'Calling All nations' took place there on July 15th 2006. The vision for this event was to "summon the youth of the world and the young at heart" to worship and pray in that stadium. Around 25,000 people gathered there, from more than 42 different nations. It was a fantastic day! More on that event can be found at www.callingallnations.com
Budapest, Hungary: Noel is also working closely with a team in Budapest, who have a similar vision for the Peoples" Stadium (Nepstadion). This venue holds 70,000 people.
In June 2001, Noel and his band played at the Pioneer Stadium in Budapest at an event, which was attended by 10,000 people. On June 22nd 2002, the organisers filled the Kisstadion, which holds 15,000. Noel participated in this event and the next one in the grounds surrounding the Nepstadion on June 28th 2003. (www.ezazanap.hu)
Smaller Events
Having seen Noel in action in these large arenas, people could be forgiven for thinking that he is no longer available for smaller events. However, Noel is very much committed to working with local churches and the gatherings they organise. He is available for worship meetings/concerts and worship teaching events of any size. He is also keen to encourage emerging worship leaders, songwriters and musicians.
International
Noel has played in the following countries outside the UK:
Albania, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, USA, Zimbabwe.
Recording
As well as the albums listed on his discography, Noel has also appeared on numerous "live" worship event/compilation albums. The most successful of these is Sparrow records "I could sing of your love forever" on which Noel is featured singing a live version of "We want to see Jesus lifted high". This album has sold in excess of 500,000 units.
The Hudson Taylors
Noel has also collaborated with two other worship leaders, Wayne Drain (USA) and Brian Houston (Ireland). Together they recorded and toured under the band name of The Hudson Taylors. Their album - Hurricane - was released in the spring of 2002 on the Kingsway label. The album featured mainly new worship songs written by all three. The Hudson Taylors have toured in Canada, USA, Germany, Holland and the UK.
