The Father's Hand, new British worship

Welcome, glad to see you here checking out what's new in the world of Hilltop City Life Christian worship music...oh wait, wrong page.  This is my blog. Hi!  I'm Joseph Cheetham-Wilkinson.

Anyway, I've recently upgraded from the free version of Ableton which I got on a disc with a midi keyboard, to a far more flexible paid-for version.  In case you're wondering, Ableton is the music software I use to create all my music.  I'm not really a musician in the sense that I don't read music or play any instruments.  However, I have always been able to compose by hearing the music in my mind, and modern software gives me the ability to compose what I imagine note by note on a computer screen.  It's a laborious process, but utterly immersive and engrossing.

It gives me complete control over every sound. This is my latest Christian song, with the words on-screen, The Father's Hand.  I hope you enjoy it!  If you want to download the MP3 you can use the Paypal button below and you'll be redirected to a download page. Thanks for your support!

 'The Father's Hand' Christian worship song download.

Christian inspirational Video, THE SECRETS OF HEAVEN, your identity in C...

Join with Ellie as she shares about our common experience of the struggles of the Christian faith, and overcoming through the knowledge of our true identity in Christ.

Christian kids Bible videos for the USA - Hilltop City Life

At last!  The whole series of Jovis Bon-Hovis is available to buy! We have brought together every episode of all three seasons into one digital download.  That's over 16 hours of great fun Christian kids Bible centred videos. Order from our website!  Christian kids Bible videos for the USA - Hilltop City Life

Sharing the Gospel with children

SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH CHILDREN

Is it important to share the Gospel with children?  I think so, in fact in these dark and dangerous times I think it's critical.  Did you know that now, children are watching more video online through YouTube than they are on traditional TV?  It is our responsibility as the Body of Christ to ensure that the Gospel message is available to them, and that there is a quantity and quality of video available to support them and educate them.

I am at the beginning of a journey, I will be creating a new YouTube channel dedicated to offering free, Christ-centred video to children around the world.  This is important, this is where kids are going for entertainment.  Not only that, the poorest children in the world can't afford paid subscriptions to Jelly Telly and Pureflix, and most children won't be watching religious TV networks. There is a vast audience out there, and we can reach it with the good news of Jesus.

Will you help me move this vision forward?  I am at the start of a new project called Scripture Seekers, and I need your support.  Please dig deep and spare me whatever you can to get this new puppet comedy adventure off the ground. It's the start of something important and effective.  We know that our videos have a genuine impact in the lives of children, we have feedback from children and parents who testify to the meaningful difference it makes in their lives.  Brothers and Sisters, this is the great commission and this is my calling, so please give today, and make a real difference in the lives of children in the hardest to reach places on earth. Click here to donate:  https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ScriptureSeekers

Eighties Night Stone Staffordshire

We're having an 80's night at Aston Village Hall on August 20th 2016, there will be a school disco, fancy dress competition, Headmaster's Naughtiness Award, Karaoke, proper 80's school dinner and pudding, and Lymestone Brewery will be serving on site. Click the link to order tickets: www.EightiesNight.co.uk 

Praying together for the UK

Serious praying people wanted. That's you. 

By sharing this post I am committing to daily prayer for Britain in our time of great need. This is not a ploy to get more Facebook likes, I want this shared so that we can mobilise Christians across the UK to commit to a time of serious prayer for our country. 

Beautiful Britain is in a time of great crisis, our government is struggling, we are involved in numerous military campaigns and faith around the UK is at a low ebb. But please, this is not a political post. This is about a country which desperately needs its Father. 

The one true hope for the UK is an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. We need anointed ministers to stand up and speak the good news into people's lives like never before. We need churches overflowing, standing room only. 

We need hearts and souls crying out for God, a God who is present and ready to hear our prayers. The Lord does not lie, he loves the world, Acts 2:17 says "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." I am ready for change in our country, I am ready to love our youth, to care for our poor, to celebrate the Lord for all to see. And we are most certainly called to pray in ALL things. 

Will you commit to this with me? Will you commit to praying for the UK every day until we see the churches full again? Until we see a country transformed by the love of Christ? Do you believe in God's power and his promises? Then say yes, and join me. Share this post until every faithful soul in the UK has seen it and made the commitment to pray for dramatic, radical change, because you know that God loves his people and he desires that none should be lost. 

Through prayer, which pleases God and mobilises the angels of heaven, we can make a huge difference to this country, and make it one we are very proud to live in. Join me, say yes, and share this post.www.facebook.com/ChristiansTogetherWorldwide

New electronic Christian praise and worship music video

Check out my newest electronic Christian praise and worship song, all done electronically on the PC.  Hope you like it! Not really sure if it's dance music so it probably doesn't count as EDM...

I produce all my music on a computer, with a midi keyboard input.  So it's not all completely programmed in, I do actually play the notes, but I get them so far wrong and out of place that they virtually all have to be re-arranged and tweaked on-screen.

Importantly, I don't use any loops or samples, all of the composition is completely original.

Jovis Bon-Hovis DVDs

Christian kids TV show favourite 'Jovis Bon-Hovis' DVDs are best ordered directly from our distributor Vision Video!

There are a number of people attempting to sell the Jovis Bon-Hovis DVDs for a very high price on other platforms such as Amazon, but the legitimate distributor who I (the writer and creator of the show) deal with directly are Vision Video, and their prices are far more sensible!

Vision Video not only offer DVDs for season one of Jovis Bon-Hovis, but also MP4 digital downloads of the whole of seasons one and two of Jovis Bon-Hovis, meaning that unlike DVDs your kids can watch them on smartphones and tablets etc. Making them convenient and mobile!

Order Jovis Bon-Hovis DVDs by clicking HERE.

Also, very soon Vision Video will be making season 3 available (anytime in the next few weeks from today, 07/07/16, making them the first place you'll be able to download without subscription.  If you don't want to order Jovis Bon-Hovis DVDs or purchase the entire set of Jovis Bon-Hovis on MP4 then there are subscription options available on Jelly Telly which is all Christian Kids' videos, or Pureflix which has Christian kids' TV and films for grown-ups too!

In the meantime, here's a full episode for you to enjoy on the house!

Living positively as a Christian

Join Ellie as she explores the Bible and looks at the power of positive thinking and choosing positivity as a Christian.

Matthew chapter 15 full video reading with thoughts and discussion

Join Ellie and I as we read through the whole of chapter 15 of Matthew, reading from the NIV and NLT, followed by a chat about some interesting points which stood out to us, good for discussion!

New releases original British Christian worship music

It's here at last, and I do hope you enjoy my Christian worship song, Your Way Yahweh.  

It's all about giving the glory to God and gladly serving him, it's about him being the hope and purpose in our lives and the best thing a person could ever dream of! I hope you enjoy it, and of course please do feel free to share. For professional distribution information please e-mail me (Joe) at ChristianMoviesUK@gmail.com

Guests wanted for Christian chat show

My name is Joseph Cheetham-Wilkinson, and I am the host of a UCB TV chat show called 'Faith in Action'.

On the 9th-12^th May we will be filming 13 new episodes of the show, which will be looking at Vocations, and navigating a career as a follower of Christ. I am looking for guests to come on the show and share their experience of being a Christian in the workplace, both in Christian and secular careers, and to share stories, advice and guidance.

The show is intended to be light and fun, breezy and entertaining, whilst tackling some quite important subject matter.

We must make it clear at the start that UCB are a charity, and as such there is no payment available for guests, we are looking for devoted Christians who feel they have something to offer as encouragers and experienced mentors. A light lunch will of course be provided if required.

UCB is watched by many viewers around the world, and this offers an opportunity to share something of real value to young people who may be struggling to make an informed career choice, or who are having difficulty keeping the faith in the workplace.

I would like to ask if you or any people in your network or congregation meet the following criteria, and if so would you please put them in touch with me with some urgency? We are keen to talk with people from any career background from teacher to priest, businessman or woman to Doctor. We are looking for guests who:

• Are committed and passionate Christians with a genuine heart for the Lord.
• Have a keen sense of humour and a taste for banter.
• Have a developed career with a path of stories to tell.
• Are available to come to UCB Hanchurch at 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm or 3pm between Mon-Thurs 9th-12^th May 2016.

We genuinely appreciate your support in helping make this show work, and encouraging young Christians that there is a path which is right for them, and that they can remain strong and uncompromising in God's truth as they develop their career.

Please pass on my information to any parties you feel may be interested, and ask them to contact me as soon as possible. Thank you very much and many blessings to you, Joe Cheetham-Wilkinson.

Tel: 07528 007872

Email: ChristianMoviesUK@gmail.com

Guests wanted for Christian chat show in the UK

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN WITH A CAREER YOU ENJOY? In partnership with UCB TV we are filming season two of our chat show 'Faith in Action' during the week beginning May 9^th. In season 2 we will be focussing on vocations, with the purpose of encouraging people not to compromise their Christian faith in the workplace, and to help them consider how to navigate the career ladder in an often secular environment. We are looking for people to represent all kinds of careers, from musicians to teachers, artists to clergy, lawyers to military. We want you to tell your story. The feel of the show will be very light and fun, we are looking for people with energy and a developed sense of humour to help lift the show. We aren't looking for serious, down-to-earth conversation, although the heart of the show is a sincere one. Can you make it to UCB Broadcast Centre in Hanchurch, Stoke-on-Trent for a morning or afternoon between 9th-13^th May? We'd love to hear from you. Please be aware, UCB are a charity, many of the people who work with us are volunteers so there is no payment available and you will need to come under your own steam. It's a lot to ask but a light lunch can be provided, we hope that like many of us you will join in because what we are doing is worthwhile; encouraging and inspiring people to walk the walk with confidence and assurance. If you would like to join us please e-mail Joe at ChristianMoviesUK@gmail.com to move forward.  

Hilltop City Life with Joe and Ellie, Christian TV chat show, What is Hi...

Welcome to Hilltop City Life, our brand new Christian Youtube channel!

The importance of YouTube in a modern media environment

YouTube as a viable alternative to linear cable, satellite and other on-demand broadcast.

YouTube IS the Mission Field.

The importance of YouTube in a  modern media consumption environment, and YouTube as a viable alternative to network, cable and satellite broadcast.

By Joseph Cheetham-Wilkinson.

YouTube's power and potential for spreading your message should be harnessed with the utmost urgency. Here's why:


YouTube is no longer a poor cousin to elite streaming platforms.

In mid 2015 a study of more than 2000 young people by the research agency Childwise reported a tipping point in the way the new generation of consumers are watching videos. Described as a 'Landmark change', marked by an increase in tablet ownership by under sixteens of more than 50% compared with 2014, in 2015 60% of 15-16 year olds watched television on demand on phones and tablets, a statistic which includes access to YouTube:

“The study reveals that however young people are accessing the internet, YouTube is the dominant destination. The video-sharing website is used every day by almost half of all five to sixteen-year-olds.”(article here: BBC.co.uk)
However there is a notion among adults who have witnessed the rise of YouTube that it represents a tacky alternative to quality programming solely for those interested in funny cat videos or 'epic fails'. This is dangerous thinking for anybody involved in media production which must be abandoned with haste.  Increasingly, the most watched channels and videos are those with clear vision and production values.

For the purposes of the delivering your message, YouTube offers the largest audience across the broadest geography. YouTube offers a completely free service, allowing broadcasters to provide 4K HD content to one billion unique viewers globally per month, including under sixteens who watch up to 30 billion hours of YouTube per month on a fully branded, customisable content-manageable platform, integrated with your website, social media and even your shop. It presents an opportunity to reach new audiences in otherwise inaccessible countries, and its ever-growing user-base are searching for high quality and engaging content

Engaging and retaining the audience:

YouTube is a modern High-Street of ideas.  It is not simply a video sharing platform, it has one billion active users every month who engage, socialise and share the content.  YouTube are very keen to connect their users as communities.

Connecting with an audience instantly with comments, replies, 'likes', subscriptions and discussion topics offers forward thinking media producers the opportunity to develop relationship and brand loyalty with viewers in a unique way.

Adapting brand identity (meeting the new generation where they're at):

The younger generation arrive at YouTube with a certain expectation, and they need to be met where they're at.  Transplanting a brand created for a different platform, audience behaviour and generation into a pop-culture environment will only serve to negatively impact perception.

Transplanting existing brands onto YouTube which are dull and unappealing goes against the great deal of evidence available which shows how users are attracted to content, and such evidence is acted upon by the most successful channels.

You want your message to sit very comfortably in the pop-chat marketplace, and generate the most heated and enthusiastic debates and conversations. The number one priority for any genuine producer is to connect with your audience.  YouTube provides the environment in which to achieve this far beyond any other tool.

Spearheading with YouTube as a Hub:

The next generation of producers understand that YouTube is no longer just a gateway to the mainstream, YouTube is the mainstream.  Content creators are recognised in the street, have huge fan-bases, merchandise, and revenue generated from their channels.

For any media producer wanting to have an impact on the world stage, YouTube must be seen as the hub, core, and starting point, with everything else growing out from it.  Gone are the days when a media producer advertised a website and used YouTube to host some videos for the showreel page. Now, YouTube advertises the website.  And the iTunes account, and the app, and the shop, and the social media accounts...and the reason is simple, as of last year it is now where the majority of young people go to look for video content, and it cannot be treated as supplementary.

Examples:

The examples below represent YouTube Channels which consistently get views from a loyal fanbase who regularly watch and share, as opposed to one-off viral hits like Gangnam Style.  I have chosen channels which did not start with an abundance of high production values.

KSI is a 22 year old independent British entertainer with over 12 million subscribers. His videos have been viewed over 2 billion times.

Little Baby Bum make cute nursery rhyme videos for babies and have over 5 million subscribers and nearly 7 billion views.

Seven Super Girls are a group of pre-teens who make funny videos about life and being a kid, they have 4 million subscribers and nearly 5 billion views.


Big business examples:

Red Bull specialise in beautifully shot videos of extreme sports and have over 5 million subscribers.

Ellen DeGeneres has 15 million subscribers to her chat show.

Justin Bieber has 19 million subscribers to his VEVO channel.

Analytics:

YouTube offer channel owners significant insights into their audience.  We are provided with information such as the geographical location of our viewers, their gender and age.  We are given statistics on individual videos such as where they were the most popular and how long they were watched for, comparisons with other similar videos, and personal information about individual subscribers and the ability to contact them.

Harnessing the technical potential:

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about YouTube is that it offers access to the largest audience across the globe in 4k, for no charge. Indeed, they now offer live streaming, meaning that if the content is available channels can broadcast in a traditional linear format in HD 24/7, for no charge.

The largest Christian YouTube channels are investing heavily.

YouTube encourage links to your social media pages, links to associated websites, links to merchandise partners such as iTunes and Amazon, in fact everything necessary to make YouTube an incomparable hub for a producer's community.

Integration and the bigger picture:

Since Google bought YouTube in 2006 they have been working hard to achieve integration and compatibility. YouTube are interested in synergy, and the whole YouTube experience is designed to make your entire online presence become something which is more than the sum of its parts.

Fundamentally integrating every area of of your organisation with a top-notch YouTube channel will create a complete user experience far superior to a website with a live-stream alone.  The purpose of the exercise is to reach more people. That can be done better on YouTube than any other platform.

The opportunity:

Young people are not looking for your website for answers, they are going to YouTube for what they think they need, and it is your job to provide it for them.

Financially, it is by far the best option compared with linear Network broadcasting.  YouTube viewers expect punchy vlogs, vox-pops, witty testimonies, kids songs and Bible stories, music videos and comedians, all of which can be produced quickly and inexpensively.

You must immediately take the opportunity to set up a dedicated studio and production house solely for the purposes of producing content for YouTube.

You would reach many more viewers for far less outlay within 2 years when compared with traditional network broadcast.

Costs:

A bespoke strategy can be provided for a fee which will present the course of action required to bring you to the forefront of your field on YouTube, and consequently worldwide, strengthening your brand, its core products and values and its authority in the international arena.  Things are moving very fast, and with swift implementation of my plan, and investment, you can be well ahead of the game.

I am confident that within 2 years you can achieve far more viewers on YouTube than on your current platforms.


Conclusion:

There is a huge hunger for video content in the world, and YouTube is where the people are.  We need to go to them with the same resources, sincerity and effort that we invest into other means of communication.  Failure to fully appreciate and harness the power of YouTube and the impact it is having on young lives now is a failure to fulfil your mission as a video producer.

British actor voice over artist cartoon puppet voices

I am now offering voice-overs on Fiver! Have a look at my profile for voice-overs for cartoons and animation, puppets, narration and documentary by a British actor in an English accent: https://uk.fiverr.com/s2/55c955dc6c

Christian children's television online free

Further down this page you can find free, totally free Christian TV for kids.

Media is changing, we can all see that.  Maybe it's not so obvious to the very young, the very people who will be watching out wonderful new Christian kids' TV show Jovis Bon-Hovis, (formerly Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew) but to anybody over ten it's clear it's changing rapidly.

Until very recently there hasn't been much in the way of truly free Christian content, even less Christian children's content. With terrestrial TV in the UK, even if we wanted to watch ITV, channel 4 or 5, we still had to pay a license fee.  If we use 'freeview', we still have to pay a license fee for the BBC's content.

Now for those of us who get internet bundled with our phone and TV subscription, we might finally be able to say that watching Christian kids' shows like Jovis Bon-Hovis is truly free for the first time.

Earlier this year, UCB, who partner with us to produce our show, removed themselves from SKY altogether, moving to an entirely online streaming format.  Since that happened I have had more people come to me and say they have discovered UCB than previously when they were on SKY! Now you can watch UCB, with all it's wonderful content (including Jovis Bon-Hovis of course) on any number of devices from your XBox or Playstation, mobile phone, tablet, PC, Apple TV, smart TV, Freeview HD, Chromecast...the list goes on!

So why not join the fun with Jovis Bon-Hovis and his pals the Creation Crew?  The show encourages children that a relationship with God belongs to them, it's relevant and interesting to them in the context of a normal child's experience.  Covering topics children relate to like bullying, kindness, stealing, friendship, Christmas and so much more, Jovis always uses the good advice of his friends and of course the Bible to discover the right way to solve his problems with Jesus' guidance.

Kids just love Jovis Bon-Hovis, and season 3, which is airing now, has all-new sets as well as some brand new friends in the garden! With a new episode each week, you can watch Jovis at these times:

Monday at 4.30

Wednesday at 8am

Thursday at 4pm

Friday at 7.30pm

Saturday at 8.30am.

Visit UCB on the link HERE and watch TV live!

Jovis Bon-Hovis season 3 air dates and how to view

We are delighted to announce that we have air dates for the shiny new season of Jovis Bon-Hovis!  With all new sets and characters, season 3 promises to be a real step forward in Christian kids entertainment.

You may notice we have dropped 'and the Creation Crew' from the title.  Don't worry!  All your favourite characters are still here, we just thought it was a bit of a mouthful and we wanted to differentiate between the new and old seasons.

So, if you're ready for a big barrel of laughs (and Monkeys!) then here's when and how to watch:

How can I watch UCB TV?

You can watch UCB TV live through UCB Player on your computer or mobile devices, or through TV Player on Freeview HD and other devices. You can do that easily by just clicking right here for the live stream: http://www.ucb.co.uk/player/live  

If you want to watch it on your TV and you have a smart there are a few ways you can watch, check here to see how: http://www.ucb.co.uk/tv

And now the important bit: the air times!!!!

Starting from December 2nd 2015 with the Christmas episode, you can watch every week.

Monday at 4.30

Wednesday at 8am

Thursday at 4pm

Friday at 7.30pm

Saturday at 8.30am.

Prime kids' viewing times they are indeed!

The first week will be the Christmas episode, and then there will be a new episode each week until the Christmas episode is repeated again at Christmas. After Christmas we will start the cycle again, so you'll see the first couple repeated and then going into all new episodes up until the Easter special.  So there are a total of 14 new episodes on the way!

Here's a little treat for you, an episode from season 2 never before given away on-demand.  Mr Bon-Hovis is struggling with jealousy!  And it's very very funny.

Matthew chapter 9 video Bible reading for study groups

Here we are folks, Matthew chapter 9.  I hope you enjoy reading along with me or just listening, don't forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel for loads more original and unique Christian videos and songs.

This is a video of me, Joseph Cheetham-Wilkinson reading chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew from the New International Version. It's ideal for just listening along and I throw in a few thoughts and questions at the end which might be helpful for study or conversation starters!  Join the conversation and 'like' our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ChristiansTogetherWorldwide .

ENJOY!

Illustrators wanted for children's TV show

Would you enjoy helping us out?  We need your help!

This is an unpaid opportunity, UCB are a Christian charity and I am currently involved in a co-production with them on our third season of kids' TV, it's a show called 'Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew'.  Previous seasons air in numerous countries including on KICC in the UK, The Dove in the USA, in Australia, New Zealand, across Scandinavia, the Philippines and India, as well as on Satellite across North, South and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Contact Joe at ChristianMoviesUK@gmail.com

Phew!  There you go, so the show gets seen and season 3 is going to be MUCH bigger.  In each episode, there is a story time featuring a short story of about 3 minutes or so, during which six illustrations appear on screen.

Until now, I have personally been illustrating each story, but in consideration of the steps forward we've made with season 3 including all new sets and characters, I would dearly love to see more variety in the illustrations.  Truth be told, I'm not that great!

I really need a few helpful souls to jump on board and take one or two episodes each, and produce six big, bold colourful illustrations for them.

You would have a great deal of creative freedom, you can choose how to go about it, which medium, how to create the characters, which parts to illustrate etc.  And of course your name would appear in the credits of the show as illustrator!

I know 'exposure' is not a fair reason to do this.  I'm just asking for your help, what we do is a good thing, a quality, entertaining show for kids which teaches good wholesome Christian values.  We don't do it for the money, we do it because it's the right thing to do.

However being a published illustrator for TV does look good on the CV!

Below is an example of one of our earlier episodes of the show, bear in mind the new show has all new sets since then (picture below)!  Also, you can see an example of the kind of work I've been doing.  If you can work to this standard (which I'm sure a gibbon with a Biro probably could!), I would dearly love and appreciate your help. We need these illustrations complete by Nov 20th at the latest, however as you can see we are aiming the show at 3-7yrs so we're not looking for time-consuming intricately detailed work, just fun, bold, bright images which fit the story.

NEW SET ABOVE

Below is an episode from season 2 with the old cut-out sets:


Here is an example of the kind of simple, bright illustrations I have produced so far:

If would would enjoy helping out, please send some examples of your work or a link to Joe at ChristianMoviesUK@gmail.com

Thanks so much for your support!