Lara Martin

Lara Martin is a musician, songwriter and former worship pastor of the Christian Abundant Life Church in Bradford, England.

Her songs are featured on the church's albums, DVDs, music books and television programmes. The albums and DVDs are distributed in the UK by the Christian label Authentic Media, although the church previously used Kingsway Music. The albums "Higher", "Divine Exchange", "God Is Here", "Sing", "How Loved" and "Send Me" all feature tracks written by her. She also led worship and sang on "Let the World See Jesus".

Some of Martin's more popular songs have been included on Christian compilation albums such as Virgin's "The Best Worship Songs... Ever!" and are frequently covered live by other artists.

Martin was born in Belfast but relocated to Bradford with her parents in the 1970s. [Martin, Lara. [http://www.myspace.com/laramartinmusic "My Space - Lara Martin"] , "MySpace", October 2, 2008. Accessed October 1, 2008] Prior to becoming worship pastor, she worked in a jewellers and then became a receptionist at the church. The leaders became aware of her music skills as she would often sing around the office. When the previous worship leader left the church in 1999, Paul Scanlon, the senior pastor, offered her the job of Worship Pastor. [McCabe, Helen. [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Abundant_Worship/16013/p1/ "Abundant Worship - Abundant Life"] , "Cross Rhythms", May 1, 2002. Accessed October 1, 2008]

Martin is a mezzo-soprano singer and guitarist. She is also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

She is married with one son.

Albums

* "Higher" (2000)
* "Divine Exchange" (2002)
* "God Is Here" (2003)
* "How Loved" (2004)
* "Sing" (2004)
* "Let the World See Jesus" (2005)
* "Send Me" (2007)

ongs

* "Always"
* "As for Me/I Have Decided", co-written with Mark Stevens
* "Best Thing", co-written with Jock James
* "Blessed to Be a Blessing"
* "Forever Faithful", co-written with Dan Brummitt
* "God is Here"
* "He's Real", co-written with Dan Brummitt
* "How Amazing"
* "How Loved Am I"
* "Incredible"
* "I Trust in You"
* "Joined by Angels"
* "Miracle of Life"
* "More of You"
* "My Inspiration"
* "On Earth As in Heaven"
* "Peace", co-written with Mark Stevens
* "The Voice of Hope"
* "We Crown You Now", co-written with Mark Stevens
* "You Are My God"
* "You Are There"
* "You Never Fail Me"
* "You Take Up All of Me"
* "Your Grace Covers Me"