BY EDMUND SMITH-ASANTE
Australian born international gospel music icon Darlene Zschech
has been diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram check
on December 11, 2013.
Revealing this herself on her blog, Darlene, acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter, worship leader and speaker, said “On Wednesday, December 11, at a routine mammogram, the doctors discovered that I had developed breast cancer. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of appointments, scans and surgery.”
She was however home from hospital on Christmas Eve and was able to watch her church’s (Hope Unlimited Church) Christmas Eve service streamed live into their lounge room.
Sounding very optimistic of her total healing, the songstress, who has touched many lives, not only with her music such as “Shout to the Lord” but a life commitment together with husband Mark made to do whatever they could to bring answer and relief to human suffering, said “I have seen two absolute miracles in my body thus far and I know there will be many more to come.”
Admitting the past days have been very tough at times, she said the Holy Spirit had brought her endless comfort while the Word of God was literally holding her moment by moment.
“My husband and children have been heroic and I can’t thank my family enough for their love and support through this. Our church leadership team have anointed me with oil and prayed with unity and authority; a band of trusted friends have helped me prayerfully and practically, and it is only now that I have felt able to share this with you,” Darlene said.
Thanking her surgeon Dr Trevor Currer, the incredible nursing team at the SAN hospital where she was admitted and the Central Coast APAC nursing staff who she said had extended so much kindness towards her, Darlene said, “Through all of this, my heart is overwhelmed with God’s love and goodness. Psalm 1, Eph 3, Jeremiah 30, Psalm 66:12 … ‘we went through fire, and through water, but YOU brought us out to rich fulfillment’”.
She urged all Christians to stand together and pray for all of those walking through such challenges at this time. “Praise God that His name is GREATER than anything we are facing,” Darlene said.
Even while she waits for total healing of the cancer, Darlene Zschech expressed so much optimism for the New Year. “I do know that 2014 is going to be AMAZING. I pray you are rested up and refreshed in this season and ready for all that God has planned for us TOGETHER to achieve for His glory! Just keep bringing thanksgiving because this is the entry point to His courts, where our hearts are fuelled and our souls find peace.”
Darlene’s ministry
Darlene Zschech is most noted for her involvement in the music from Hillsong Church, Sydney over many years. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success simply stands as a testimony to her life’s passion to serve God and people with all her heart.
Darlene and her husband Mark are both Senior Pastors of Hope Unlimited Church on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
As a songwriter, Darlene is most noted for the chorus “Shout to the Lord,” a song that is sung by millions of churchgoers every week and has been sung by many other artists.
“Shout to the Lord” was nominated as Album of the Year for the 1997 Dove Awards and was nominated as Song of the Year for the 1998 Dove Awards. In 2000 Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and received the International Award for influence in praise and worship.
In addition to “Shout to the Lord,” Darlene has written many songs that have been published worldwide, which apart from Hillsong Music worship projects also include solo projects : “Kiss of Heaven”, “Extravagant Worship”, “Change Your World”, “Simply Darlene”, “You Are Love” and “Revealing Jesus” a live worship album recorded with Grammy award winning Israel Houghton.
Compassion project and trip
Through the Compassionart project 2008, Darlene together with some of the most generous-hearted worship writers and leaders wrote an album where all the monies raised went to others in less fortunate circumstances.
Darlene is also passionate about raising and training other worship pastor, leaders, teams and writers and has written four books – “Extravagant Worship”, “The Kiss of Heaven”, “The Art of Mentoring” and the new “Revealing Jesus” devotional. These titles combined have been translated into over 20 different languages.
Mark and Darlene currently work with Compassion International, serving the world’s poorest of the poor children.
It was during a Compassion trip to Central Africa in 2004 that Mark and Darlene were prompted to initiate Hope: Rwanda, a global endeavour designed to bring hope to a nation seemingly forgotten since the horrific genocide of 1994. The 100 Days of Hope (April 6 – July 15, 2006) project was strategically coordinated to cover the same 100 days that saw approximately one million people viciously slaughtered. Now HOPE: Global continues to bring hope and healing to Rwanda, and a new ‘HOPE’ has spread into Cambodia, Vanuatu, and India.
Darlene and Mark live in the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales with their three daughters, Chloe and Zoe, Amy and son-in-law Andrew and beautiful grand-daughter Ava Pearl, grandson Roman Emmanuel Mark and brand new grand-daughter Ruthie Feather.
Writer’s email: Edmund.Asante@graphic.com.gh
This was first published by Graphiconline on Wednesday, January 1, 2014
 |
| Darlene in full flight on stage |
Revealing this herself on her blog, Darlene, acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter, worship leader and speaker, said “On Wednesday, December 11, at a routine mammogram, the doctors discovered that I had developed breast cancer. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of appointments, scans and surgery.”
She was however home from hospital on Christmas Eve and was able to watch her church’s (Hope Unlimited Church) Christmas Eve service streamed live into their lounge room.
Sounding very optimistic of her total healing, the songstress, who has touched many lives, not only with her music such as “Shout to the Lord” but a life commitment together with husband Mark made to do whatever they could to bring answer and relief to human suffering, said “I have seen two absolute miracles in my body thus far and I know there will be many more to come.”
Admitting the past days have been very tough at times, she said the Holy Spirit had brought her endless comfort while the Word of God was literally holding her moment by moment.
“My husband and children have been heroic and I can’t thank my family enough for their love and support through this. Our church leadership team have anointed me with oil and prayed with unity and authority; a band of trusted friends have helped me prayerfully and practically, and it is only now that I have felt able to share this with you,” Darlene said.
Thanking her surgeon Dr Trevor Currer, the incredible nursing team at the SAN hospital where she was admitted and the Central Coast APAC nursing staff who she said had extended so much kindness towards her, Darlene said, “Through all of this, my heart is overwhelmed with God’s love and goodness. Psalm 1, Eph 3, Jeremiah 30, Psalm 66:12 … ‘we went through fire, and through water, but YOU brought us out to rich fulfillment’”.
She urged all Christians to stand together and pray for all of those walking through such challenges at this time. “Praise God that His name is GREATER than anything we are facing,” Darlene said.
Even while she waits for total healing of the cancer, Darlene Zschech expressed so much optimism for the New Year. “I do know that 2014 is going to be AMAZING. I pray you are rested up and refreshed in this season and ready for all that God has planned for us TOGETHER to achieve for His glory! Just keep bringing thanksgiving because this is the entry point to His courts, where our hearts are fuelled and our souls find peace.”
Darlene’s ministry
Darlene Zschech is most noted for her involvement in the music from Hillsong Church, Sydney over many years. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success simply stands as a testimony to her life’s passion to serve God and people with all her heart.
Darlene and her husband Mark are both Senior Pastors of Hope Unlimited Church on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
As a songwriter, Darlene is most noted for the chorus “Shout to the Lord,” a song that is sung by millions of churchgoers every week and has been sung by many other artists.
“Shout to the Lord” was nominated as Album of the Year for the 1997 Dove Awards and was nominated as Song of the Year for the 1998 Dove Awards. In 2000 Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and received the International Award for influence in praise and worship.
 |
| Darlene Zschech and husband Mark |
In addition to “Shout to the Lord,” Darlene has written many songs that have been published worldwide, which apart from Hillsong Music worship projects also include solo projects : “Kiss of Heaven”, “Extravagant Worship”, “Change Your World”, “Simply Darlene”, “You Are Love” and “Revealing Jesus” a live worship album recorded with Grammy award winning Israel Houghton.
Compassion project and trip
Through the Compassionart project 2008, Darlene together with some of the most generous-hearted worship writers and leaders wrote an album where all the monies raised went to others in less fortunate circumstances.
Darlene is also passionate about raising and training other worship pastor, leaders, teams and writers and has written four books – “Extravagant Worship”, “The Kiss of Heaven”, “The Art of Mentoring” and the new “Revealing Jesus” devotional. These titles combined have been translated into over 20 different languages.
Mark and Darlene currently work with Compassion International, serving the world’s poorest of the poor children.
It was during a Compassion trip to Central Africa in 2004 that Mark and Darlene were prompted to initiate Hope: Rwanda, a global endeavour designed to bring hope to a nation seemingly forgotten since the horrific genocide of 1994. The 100 Days of Hope (April 6 – July 15, 2006) project was strategically coordinated to cover the same 100 days that saw approximately one million people viciously slaughtered. Now HOPE: Global continues to bring hope and healing to Rwanda, and a new ‘HOPE’ has spread into Cambodia, Vanuatu, and India.
Darlene and Mark live in the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales with their three daughters, Chloe and Zoe, Amy and son-in-law Andrew and beautiful grand-daughter Ava Pearl, grandson Roman Emmanuel Mark and brand new grand-daughter Ruthie Feather.
Writer’s email: Edmund.Asante@graphic.com.gh
This was first published by Graphiconline on Wednesday, January 1, 2014
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