A Spiritual Journey in Poetry and Song; Commissioners Keith and Pauline Banks

'CD's can take days, weeks, even months to produce. But not this one. This took a lifetime.

My wife Pauline was born to sing. I fell in love with her voice long before I spoke to her, and long before I fell in love with the amazing person that she is.

In the sixties, Pauline sang as a member of The Salvation Army's Internationally famous 'Joystrings', a pop group that made it into the national charts with two singles.

Her 43 years as a SA Officer have provided opportunities for her voice to be heard around the world: London, Tokyo, Port Moresby, Melbourne, Moscow, Copenhagen and Amsterdam being just a representative selection of the numerous capital cities of the world she has visited.

I was born with a deep love for music. Some of my earliest memories are of conducting famous Salvation Army bands and Songster brigades. They were recordings, of course! But I could always hear music in my head. I could hear a full band, orchestra or choir. Although I had no formal music lessons, I taught myself, in my thirties, to write simple music. I also developed a love of words and out of that came somelyrics which I began to set to music. We would often use these choruses and songs when leading worship in the course of our ministry as SA Officers - I would play the piano and Pauline would sing.

Pauline has long nurtured a dream to put some of these songs onto a CD, but we never got round to it. That is such a bland, weak explanation for lack of action on our part, but at least it is accurate! Since the end of 1999, Pauline has had many serious health problems to contend with, all of which pushed the idea of a CD further down the list of 'things to do'. But the desire to make a CD persisted. And so, against incredible odds, we achieved the dream on Friday, 28 December 2007.

Before you start listening, you need to know that this is not a perfect performance. Pauline is chronically fatigued due to the effects of an abdominal cancer, two brain tumours and resultant surgery, endless months of treatment, and the sudden total loss of her sight. She had to sing relying on her memory. She was sitting down throughout and experienced considerable discomfort. This project made demands on her that were far beyond the strength she had to give. But she did it - she fulfilled her dream - and it is a testimony to her faith, her strong spirit and her cast iron will.

So this CD is not about pleasing perfection. It is not about perfect tuning. But it is about the determination of one quite remarkable woman and the enabling grace of God. Its strength lies in its weakness.

My part in this is small. I accompanied Pauline, then recorded my poems once Pauline was back in bed asleep.

We made this recording less than a month after our retirement from active SA Officership. Our life together in the Lord's service has been a great adventure. It has taken us to ministy and service in England, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Japan, with the privilege of visiting numerous other countries in the course of our work. We hope what you hear will convey something of the fulfillement we have found in our great adventure.

This is not a CD to be used as a background to some other task. It needs to be listened to thoughtfully and carefully. It is our hope and prayer that as you listen, the Holy Spirit will minster to you.

The proceeds from the sale of this album will benefit Ayrshire Hospice which gives such valuable support to Pauline and me, and to The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea - a country whose spirit runs in our veins.

The recording was done in a very small box room in our home, with all the technical equipment set up in the kitchen. It took only a few hours. But no - it actually took a lifetime.'

Commissioner Keith Banks
January 2008

For further information and additional copies of this recording contact:
Keith Banks at k&p@uwclub.net
----------

Many UK 'Former' Officers will know and love Keith & Pauline as DC's and as members of the Training College staff. Others will know the Commissioner's name due the many songs composed and published in his name.

I have not had the privilege of knowing the Banks personally, however, I have visited Papua New Guinea and some years ago set up a small library in the Training College there in memory of my father on his PTG. And having served as an officer away from family and home comforts know too the hardships endured to serve He who sacrificed and gave His all. I'm certain you join me in saluting this exemplary team of loyal and faithful servants; "Heroes of the Faith" and "Proclaimers of the Faith". (Training College sessions)

The above information was provided by an active officer in the UK.

Blessings, Sven Ljungholm