Essential Worship's newest release comes out of a barn in Kentucky. But there's more life than livestock in Iron Bell Music's latest project, God That Saves, and there's definitely more Holy Spirit moments than hay.
 
After a few touching, goosebump-inducing listens through the new project, I had to learn more about this anointed, unexpected force coming out of the Bluegrass state. Here are six questions with one of the tree worship leaders at Iron Bell, Joel Gerdis.
 
1. Where'd the name Iron Bell come from? 
 
When Shelley Dedrick, one of the founders of the ministry, was praying about purchasing the property for the ministry she asked the Lord to give her a sign that it was the right property. She asked to see an iron bell on the property. When they toured the property, that is now our base of gatherings and ministry operations, she saw an iron bell prominently displayed right by the barn. As she toured the rest of the property, to her amazement she found a second iron bell on the perimeter of the property. She knew that this was the right place and God was giving us a green light to proceed. 
 
The meaning behind the iron bell is similar to its original purpose for agricultural communities to call the workers in from the field to a meal and to break from the work. The iron bell symbolizes for us an invitation to the table with The Lord; to enjoy Him and know Him intimately.
 
2. Your worship movement came out of a super informal, spirit-led series of gatherings in a barn in Kentucky. How did these barn meetings start? 
 
In 2009, Gregg and Shelley Dedrick felt led of the Lord to start a prayer and worship time in their home. What began with only 15-20 people the first few gatherings blossomed into larger gatherings of people hungry to worship God. A few years later they felt led to purchase the current ministry location we call The Iron Bell, a small farm and barn tucked away on 7 acres. 
 
3. Share one memory of God showing up at these gatherings.  
 
The absolute best moments are when God gets you off your plan and you get to participate in something He is doing in a moment. Learning how to discern this in your everyday life makes it that much more fun in corporate gatherings. There was one specific time when we felt like God wanted to call the prodigals home. Several people were sensing this in the middle of a worship set and someone on our team grabbed a microphone and said, "if you are a prodigal--you were once close to God but you've been far off--it is time to come home." As a result, several people immediately returned to the Lord and recommitted their lives to Him. Following God's lead in these environments is the most satisfying and rewarding experience. Creating an atmosphere where you can wait on Him and see Him get exactly what He wants. 
 
4. Are you all involved in churches as well as this ministry? What capacities? 
 
We are not a church but we do see dozens and hundreds of local and regional churches and ministries impacted through what God is doing at the Iron Bell. Whether at our lively worship nights or our weekly Wednesday prayer and devotional settings, people are refreshed by the Lord in an environment dedicated solely to pursuing and loving Him. The heart of our ministry is to teach people how to grow in intimacy with the Lord, discover their purpose, and how to partner with God in that purpose.
 
5. What is your heart to help and resource worship leaders? What are some of the needs you hope to meet? 
 
Worship leaders have a unique responsibility to not only lead people in growing in spirit and truth through song and worship, but they also can arm their congregations with songs that become prayers that become banners, stakes in the ground for God's promises, contending for his purpose in their lives, and warfare against the enemies schemes. We love to write songs that come from places of actual encounter with God so the content of the song is not crafted from information about God but from intimate knowledge of a Living God who has revealed Himself to us in the way we are writing about.

We love teaching worship leaders how to lead from a place of intimacy and encounter with the Lord. We also love pouring into worship leaders; not more musical techniques but calling us all back to the place of refreshing available in His presence because so worship pastors do not need new trends, gadgets, or catchy songs. We love to point worship leaders to the ancient path of the secret place, waiting on Him, getting know Him intimately so they can operate from a place that is full of Him. 

6. What gets you excited about the future? 
 
We don't have it all figured out so we are not just excited to share what we have learned but also to learn from others. God is doing so many amazing things in so many places and we are excited to listen and learn.