Mike Rimmer spoke to ALVARO LOPEZ via an interpreter.

Alvaro Lopez

Mike: Has it been a desire to do an album in English?

Alvaro: Definitely it was a dream. Overall I've been influenced by American musicians since I was a child. This time I had a band of great musicians bringing the message of Jesus Christ.

Mike: Why share Jesus through the music?

Alvaro: I accepted the Lord at a critical time in my life. I was at the point of death and I received the greatest gift of my life which was salvation and that was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I am very grateful. I believe that Jesus Christ is the greatest and biggest thing there is and I dedicate my whole life to him. It's hardly anything in comparison to what Jesus did for me.

Mike: How did you become a Christian?

Alvaro: I come from working with very famous secular artists in Latin America and I found fame. There was drugs, alcohol and everything you could think of. I was looking for love so that people could love me for me and not for what I do. When I hit the bottom that was when I realised there was a God. I thought Christians needed a crutch to lean on and that I didn't need Jesus because I was a great musician. I had money. I had fame. I had it all but then I realised I was the crutch, torn to pieces and God lifted me. Now everything I do is in gratitude to the Lord but I want to do it with everything that I have. I dedicate my life and soul to serving him.

Mike: How has that changed how you feel when you play?

Alvaro: Definitely there's a new song every time I play. That is something I experience every time I play live. When I play I really feel the Lord's presence. There's something that happens with the audience and that's the calling that maintains me. When you talk to people about coming to know the Lord it's an incomparable experience because we have the honour to announce the evangelism of the Lord. If you go and see top jazz musicians play, you come out the same but when you see someone who has the Spirit of the Lord you come out different. That is priceless.

Mike: What are your goals in making music?

Alvaro: I want to make music that goes beyond cool so that the people see Jesus. We hide behind the cross. That's my goal. There are two parts to achieving that. Firstly. I produce music and my dream is that Christian music will go beyond secular music and that comes with discipline and practice. Secondly. I want to be the same way I am at home as I am on stage. If I don't practice what I preach then I am a hypocrite and my children are going to say, 'That man is an actor, he's a liar!' Those are the two things I strive for. Personal integrity and musical integrity.