The Climb Podcast

Noel Robinson: Trusting God in Hidden Seasons

Introduction (00:00–02:00)

Teko Bailey: Noel, it’s such a pleasure having you here on The Climb Podcast. Welcome, welcome! I know you’re joining us all the way from the UK.

Noel Robinson: Thank you, Teko. Yes, we’re right across the pond — though it’s a bit bigger than a pond! But I get it. We’re across the waters. Brilliant.

Teko: (laughs) Absolutely. I know a lot’s been happening your way with your new album Change the Atmosphere, which dropped in February. I’ve been listening to “Breaker of Chains” — powerful song!

Noel: Thank you so much. Yes, it came out at the end of February. I really see it as my Jesus album. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s a call for the church to remember who we serve — especially in this new season and generation.

The Heart Behind Change the Atmosphere (02:00–05:00)

Noel: I wanted to remind believers that Jesus is still breaking chains. As long as there’s sin, He’s still delivering people. Coming out of lockdown, I felt God say He’s moving us into an end-time revival.

The sound of revival in the church is worship. But the sound of revival in the world is the gospel. We are the revival people will see before they ever read the Word.

Teko: That’s powerful — reminding us that revival starts with us.

Early Life & Calling to Worship (05:00–07:30)

Teko: Take me back to where it began. What inspired you to get into music?

Noel: My father. At five or six, he put a guitar in my hands because I wanted to play like him. We’re from a Jamaican immigrant family in the UK — strong community, strong faith. Back then, people only knew two things: work and church.

It was passionate worship. Maybe not theologically deep, but full of faith. That passion never left me.

Later, I studied classical and jazz, became a session musician, even played for pop artists. But when God called me back and commissioned me as a worship leader, I said yes.

Because when you’re called, you’re not tested in your music — you’re tested in your life.

When God Says “No” (07:30–13:30)

Teko: You’ve talked before about testing seasons. What’s one defining moment that shaped your faith?

Noel: I’ll never forget when I was offered a major music opportunity — a life-changing gig with a huge artist. Everything in me said, This is it! But the Holy Spirit said, No.

At first, I thought I misheard. “Surely this can’t be God — this is what I’ve worked for my whole life.” But a few days later, my father called me and repeated, word for word, what the Spirit had said. That’s when I knew God was speaking.

I obeyed — reluctantly — and turned down the offer. It was painful. I was frustrated. But a month later, I got a call to play for Graham Kendrick, and later became Ron Kenoly’s musical director across Europe.

That’s when I realized obedience opens doors talent never could.

When God says “no,” it’s not rejection — it’s redirection.

Faith That’s Refined (13:30–17:00)

Teko: That’s such a powerful story of refining.

Noel: Faith in God doesn’t mean you always win on earth. The Western narrative of blessing often equates wealth or success with favor — but blessing isn’t about material things. You’re blessed because you belong to Him.

There were seasons I thought, God, this should have happened twenty years ago. But He reminded me — you weren’t ready then.

Sometimes, God withholds what you want until you can carry what you’re called to.

Revival and Obedience (17:00–24:30)

Teko: You’ve mentioned being a bridge between generations — carrying the sound of revival. What does that look like?

Noel: Revival is birthed in obedience. Worship isn’t just songs — it’s lifestyle. Every encounter with God in Scripture carried an instruction.

We often worship worship — but God wants us to worship Him. Encounters are meant to transform us.

In Acts 2, Peter heard a sound like a rushing wind. It wasn’t about the sound — it was about the change it produced. God is still doing that today.

The sound of revival in the church is worship. The sound of revival in the earth is the gospel. And He’s still the God of the online — using digital spaces like this to awaken people across the world.

The Breaker of Chains (24:30–27:30)

Noel: The song “Breaker of Chains” came from Acts 12, where Peter was imprisoned — chained at his hands and feet. The church prayed, and God set him free.

We’re in that same season — where God is breaking spiritual chains. Families are being restored. People you thought were too far gone are coming home.

Don’t be surprised when your neighbor knocks and says, “I know you’re a believer. Will you pray for me?”

That’s the revival we’re stepping into.

Finding Purpose and Obedience (27:30–33:00)

Teko: How would you speak to someone sensing a call from God but feeling afraid to step out?

Noel: It’s natural to feel hesitant. God rarely gives the full picture — He leads us step by step.

Your gift is the tool God uses to unpack your calling. You might be gifted in music but called to business — or gifted in business but called to ministry.

Don’t run ahead of His timing. Sometimes the Spirit says, “Go outside the door and wait.” Just wait — don’t make it up.

Faith means obeying before you have clarity. When you do, He reveals the blueprint piece by piece — like a car being assembled. Eventually, the finished work becomes the glory of the Maker.

Kingdom Influence and Diversity (33:00–36:00)

Teko: That’s so good. And I love your perspective on Kingdom influence.

Noel: The church is the house you live in; the Kingdom is the street you live on.

Too often we operate in preference — if something doesn’t look or sound like us, we reject it. But God’s Kingdom is bigger than culture.

Peter had to learn that in Acts — when God showed him a vision of food he considered unclean. God was breaking prejudice so the gospel could go global.

Kingdom living means loving beyond our preferences.

Fatherhood and Legacy (36:00–39:30)

Teko: How have you stayed grounded as a father while leading in ministry?

Noel: It’s a prayer. Anyone who works or travels knows the tension — you’re away a lot. But when you’re doing God’s will, you can trust Him to cover what you miss.

I’ve prayed, “Lord, I’m following Your call — take care of my children where I can’t.” And He has.

Now my kids are grown, and they’re proud of what God’s done. Every man’s situation is different, but I’ll say this: God always pays His bills. If you work for Him, He’ll take care of what matters most.

The Change the Atmosphere Tour (39:30–46:00)

Teko: Tell us about the tour and what’s next.

Noel: We’re taking Change the Atmosphere across the UK — seven cities this fall, then more next year, including Europe, Canada, and the U.S.

It’s more than a worship tour — it’s a salvation tour. The new revival is about redemption.

The album itself was birthed supernaturally — God-inspired, sweat-applied. Every song carries the message of His power to restore.

Teko: Do you have a favorite track?

Noel: Hard to pick, but “I’m Taking My Praise Back” stands out. It’s about reclaiming what the enemy has stolen — joy, faith, hope.

There’s also “Yeshua,” a song I played while in Jamaica for my father’s funeral. It became worship in the middle of grief. The album is dedicated to him — he’s the one who put a guitar in my hand.

Closing Prayer (46:00–50:00)

Teko: Noel, would you close us in prayer? Many of our listeners are in need of breakthrough.

Noel: Absolutely.
Father God, You are the great Creator of the heavens and the earth. Yet Your greatest creation is us — Your people. Thank You for sending Your Son so we could be redeemed.
Lord, for every listener, I ask that Your Holy Spirit meet them where they are. Heal emotions, renew minds, restore faith. Let the balm of Gilead flow. We come against every thought of despair or suicide. Replace it with Your peace and Your presence.
Father, change the atmosphere in their homes, in their hearts, and in their minds. Let miracles, signs, and wonders be their portion. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Teko: Amen. Thank you, Noel — what an honor to have you on The Climb.

Noel: Thank you, brother. God bless you.

Final Reflection

“Faith doesn’t always look like winning.
Sometimes it looks like waiting.
But in the waiting, God is still working.”