Watermark concert: peaceful worship
By Becky Castle

On Saturday, Nov. 17, Watermark performed at Fellowship Bible Church in Tulsa. Watermark is made up of Nathan and Christy Nockels, a husband and wife team who have been making music together for years.

Fellowship Bible Church is a beautiful venue. The walls in the large sanctuary are decorated with lots of stone and wood. The vaulted ceilings reach toward heaven. On the platform where the band was set up, fat white candles were clustered on wrought iron stands, lending an intimate feel to the cavernous room.

The audience had a very "family-esque" dynamic, and ranged from small children to retired parents.

Nathan and Christy weren't the only ones on stage. A drummer, a bassist and a back-up guitarist joined them. So did Jill Phillips, a young musician and a friend of the Nockels.

Near the beginning of the concert, Christy said, "Our prayer is that tonight would be a time for you to communicate with God...that these songs would become prayers."

Christy sang while Nathan played his beautiful Taylor guitar and offered supporting vocals. Their style is original acoustic worship. They did songs from their first album, Watermark, as well as their more recent album, All Things New. Their songs come from personal experiences and are very honest communications with God, each other and friends.

One of their most touching songs, "Glory Baby," is about the two babies the couple lost to miscarriages. Christy said they have gotten more letters about that song than about any other. The story has a happy ending for Nathan and Christy; their beautiful baby Noah is living proof. They brought him out on stage and introduced them to the audience.

Christy has a smooth voice, almost chocolate-y, like the soft brown velvet jacket she wore. The audience sat for the entire concert and just enjoyed the music. Both factors contributed to the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere of the night. This was the only concert I've ever attended about which I could say, "Ahhh...that was restful." After the rushed evening I had had before I got to the church, I needed that atmosphere to unwind. Watermark's music has a distinctive peace about it, which is one reason I recommend it.

I also recommend their music because it is what Christy said they want it to be: a tool listeners can use to talk to God. All the songs are exhorting and uplifting, and not in a cheesy way. Watermark's music is creative, heartfelt and powerful.

Nathan and Christy made Phillips a part of their concert. She sang several songs with them, and they gave her a section of time in the middle of the show just like Point of Grace did for Watermark when they toured with the quartet.

Phillips performed some of her songs with her husband, Andy, the amazingly talented guitarist who played back-up for Watermark. She managed to play her own guitar even though her pregnancy made the placing of the instrument a bit awkward. She sounds a lot like a soprano Jennifer Knapp and has a heart-touching, peace-bringing acoustic style that meshes well with Watermark's.

Nathan and Christy have extensive experience as worship leaders. When newly married, they led worship for the large Metro Bible Study in Houston. They have also worked with Charlie Hall on the Passion collegiate worship CDs. The "inner worship leaders" came out and the Nockels ended the concert with a time of praise. Christy closed with a prayer: "Jesus, may you have all the glory and honor. May you have the last refrain."

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