Tony Cummings spoke to Irish worship leader EOGHAN HEASLIP about his latest album and his life in ministry

Eoghan: This has often been a real surprise to me. I think songs I have written have been more of a resource to churches in places like South Africa, Australia, America and Canada, than here in Ireland and England. To boil it down to one song is hard but, "Arise, King Of Kings" is a song that has really been used a lot. This is a song that was written in response to Revelation 1 v8 "The Lord God who was, and who is and who is to come, the Almighty." The God of all time, all seasons of life, of every situation and circumstance in time. Worship is about responding in right ways to God. And the first thing we must grasp is that worship is primarily about God. Something this song I think possesses and articulates.

Tony: Who have been your major musical and spiritual influences?

Eoghan: My major musical influences are U2, Peter Gabriel, The 4 Of Us, Matt Redman, Kevin Prosch, Brian Doerksen, Radiohead, Keane and Coldplay. My spiritual influences would be John Wimber, my Mum and Dad and Rev Willi Stewart.

Tony: What were the last two Christian books you've read, other than the Bible?

Eoghan: The last two books I've read are Jonah: The God Of The Second Chances by Selwyn Hughes, probably the best book I've read in a long time. And a small book called Explaining Worship by the author Jack Hayford. Undoubtedly the best book I've read on worship ever. It explores the basics, leaving no stones unturned.

Tony: Have you seen The Passion Of The Christ and if so, what did you think of the film?

Eoghan: I did see the film. Initially I was very moved by the film, I think I cried my way through, much to the confusion of the people sitting in the same row of seats I was in. It took great courage on Mel Gibson's behalf to do the movie and in my humble opinion I felt it was sensitively portrayed and well made too. I guess it just drives home the reality and incredible mystery of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. It sent me back to the Gospels to re-read the accounts of his last moments, the things he said, the things he chose to leave with the disciples. Amazing stuff really.