By Sheba Devaraj
June 29, 2009 | 23:57:37

HE was a worship leader way back in the ‘70s long before worship music became attained its popularity, starting off with a small group of 20 people. Bob Fitts, as a worship leader, has seen three decades of music and more. Today, he and his wife Kathy travel around the world to sing about God’s faithfulness. Bob Fitts has written many songs of which the most popular are ‘He Will Come And Save You’, ‘Blessed Be The Lord God Almighty’, ‘Glory Lord’, and ‘He Is Lovely’. The couple started a small worship group during their high school times in California. Their earnest pursuit to serve God has brought them thus far. They now live in Hawaii where they’ve been settled for the past 18 years. Bob and Kathy have four children - Andy, Ryan, Garratt, and Mikella.

 

The couple were recently in Chennai for their music concert ‘Restore ‘09’, organized exclusively for IT professionals and other corporate members to encourage and build them up during these times of recession and economic downturn. THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER met up with Bob Fitts and his wife Kathy, before the concert to find out more about their love for music and God. Excerpts from the interview:

 

You loved music and took to writing and singing, but how did you know that this was God’s calling?

 

My father was a pastor and so I grew in a Christian environment. Since I was born in Texas, country music played an important role in our lives. My father used to lay my songs in cowboy style. I always had an urge to do something with music, but it was in high school that I felt the power of God. People called it the move of God, especially when the hippies got saved. I didn’t pursue music as a career, but began singing for the Lord and even today, we sing only by invitation. For me, my life’s call is to honor Jesus and my meeting with Jesus brought forth music.

 

Tell us about your trip to India

 

My wife and I have been to India quite a number of times; this is her fourth visit and mine’s the fifth. This is my second trip to Chennai after 1999.

 

You’ve seen many genres and ages of music. Has yours changed over the years?

 

Trends have changed over the years, but not to a very large extent. The gift (of music) has to speak for itself and I never try to be something that I’m not. I was surprised to hear that country music is the most popular genre of music in the world. I wondered whatever happened to the other seemingly popular rock and roll or pop. Country music is closer to common man and everyone can relate to it. Take any gospel song over the years. Their music might vary, but the essence of them all is the same.

 

How do you write your songs? Do you wait for heavenly inspiration?

 

I used to love writing songs even as a kid. I realize over the years that the longer we are believers, the simpler it is to find how God releases his gifts with ease. According to me, creativity comes from being connected with the creator and inspiration itself is loving God. You don’t think of writing a song and then write it. There’s a point when it’s supernatural and natural and you almost feel the lyrics flowing. As worship leaders, we encourage others to write songs.

 

On his song ‘He will come and save you’.

 

The song came from where I was – broken and looking for God to come and save me. At that time, I thought that we as Christians should not have any problems. But, God the ever-faithful, came and saved me during those difficult times. The lyrics are from Isaiah 35:4, the very verses that touched me.

 

What are your tips for aspiring song writers?

 

Good songs have good hooks. When you write a good song, you’ll invariably keep coming back to it and that helps you recognize its potential.

 

What qualities should a good worship leader have?

 

A good worship leader should be a person who loves the people of God. The more I lead worship, the more I love God. You must remember that you’re out there not to promote your music, but God. You must love people.

 

Bob Fitt’s wife Kathy added: “As a worship leader, one must display the beauty of Jesus to people.”

 

What’s your favorite song, from your work and others’?

 

I like the song Gethsemane, a song that I wrote but don’t sing on stage too often. I like Darlene Zschech’s songs. I know her personally and her songs are very genuine.

 

On his life being restored.

 

There are phases in life were there are many ups and downs. I’ve been through many and have seen for myself how faithful Jesus is. Between the period 2004 and 2006, I went away from ministry work and was cleaning carpets. Can you imagine, from leading worship sessions to cleaning people’s carpets? But that’s what happened. But God has a way of taking everything in our lives and restoring it. He brought me back to continue singing and glorifying His name.

 

What do you have to say about the moral and value changes in the youth?

 

These changes have always been there, even when I was a kid. Many think that Christianity is to do with ‘don’t dos’. All we have to do is to lead the children to God and He will tell what they should do. As we know, youngsters don’t like to hear negative answers, so let them find the answers in God. Moreover, Jesus is a God of all generations and He binds all generations with His love.

 

What do you think of India’s prospects in Gospel music?

 

India and China, in my opinion, are ready to blossom in music.

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