“It’s took me 40 years to realise I’m not strong enough, God I need You”, says Ian Yates as he announces the brand new first single ‘40 Years’ from his sixth studio album “Between The Joy And The Sorrow”. Ian is a UK Christian Charts-topping worship leader and songwriter from Liverpool, UK. He leads musical worship at his home church Bootle Elim and is part of Elim Sound, the national worship department for the Elim movement.

Born out of a difficult season, Yates sings that over the years he’s weathered many storms but one particular storm hit him really hard, this brought on panic attacks and anxiety. Yates says “I felt like I was falling apart, I. couldn’t sleep, I had palpitations, I couldn’t eat, I was full of anxiety. My prayer was God hold me. I was reminding myself of the times when I’ve gone through storms in the past and when I’ve seen Gods hand carry me through. I needed that again. I needed the one who has never let me go to hold me tight again.” 

He continues, “My prayer is that this song connects with many who have experienced situations where they feel like they are falling apart. I hope that it can remind us that in every situation we are held by a God that never lets us.”

The “Between The Joy And The Sorrow” studio album will release in 2 parts. Part 1 release date is June 24th 2022 and Part 2 will follow September 30th 2022. Ian has once again teamed up with 7Core Music producer Trevor Michael (Snow Patrol, Matt Redman, The UK Blessing, Martin Smith) for what looks to be not only a stunning collection of well crafted songs, but presented as two exceptional albums that fit together as a single work of art. Ian is not afraid to ask the big questions many of this generation have found themselves asking over the last few years with a maturity and honesty many of us lack, proving himself to be one of the finest artists and songwriters in the present UK Christian and Gospel music scene.

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