Canadian teacher Stephen Spencer had hands that wanted to play the drums but feet that had other ideas.

"I bought a traditional drumming kit, but I wasn't coordinated enough to make my feet work with my hands," he said.

Six or seven years ago he picked up a traditional African hand drum called a djembe and it was full speed ahead. "Hand drumming was something that came more naturally to me."

Mr. Spencer will be performing tonight with a popular Canadian praise band called The Message, at the Wesley Methodist Church on Church Street in Hamilton.

As part of the band he plays guitar and African drums, and also teaches African drumming workshops. "I have been involved with The Message, for several years," said Mr. Spencer. "We started as a praise band for The United Church Maritime Youth Conference."

"We loved playing together. We loved creating music together. We decided let's start travelling around the Maritimes and see where it goes."

The Message now performs about 15 times a year. "So we have a lot of opportunities to play and write music and offer our ministry," said Mr. Spencer.

They have two albums out, 'In Constant Awe' and 'Miracles'.

The band's visit was arranged by Wesley member David Campbell, who first heard them at a conference.

"They did the music there at the Maritime Conference Youth Forum," said Mr. Campbell. "I thought the music was fantastic. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard. It was different from down here. It sparked my love for youth forum and more involvement in the church."

This week, members of The Message have been conducting African hand drumming workshops at the church, and also a vocal choral workshop.

Part of The Message's message is about incorporating the music of different cultures into typically traditional church services.

"One of our biggest goals is to help churches incorporate some of the more contemporary styles with the traditional," Mr. Spencer said. "We have a huge love of music in the band. We know there are a lot of people who attend church that also have that same love of music. This is also a way to enjoy the more traditional music, putting a more contemporary spin on it."

He said ultimately, the group was about keeping the Methodist Church growing.

"It is a difficult time for every church," he said.

Mr. Campbell said that The Message's music could be classified as contemporary Christian.

"I was so used to the traditional type of music that we play at Wesley," he said. "When I first heard the kind of stuff they were playing I thought 'this is it'. It appeals to the young adult crowd, and that is what attracted me to it."

However, Mr. Spencer said their music is not contemporary Christian rock.

"We do very contemplative music," he said. "We do some upbeat music and we try to incorporate some of the world music.

"The United Church of Canada has just put out a new hymn book called 'More Voices' which incorporates Spanish music and African music, and music from different cultures. We try to touch on all aspects. We love some of the traditional music. We also love the contemporary style which is more upbeat."

Some of the new songs and music they have learned will be sung at a special combined synod service on Sunday at Wesley along with members from Emmanuel and Ebenezer Methodist churches at 11 a.m.

Last night (Thursday) members of Ebenezer, Wesley and Emmanuel took a choral and vocal workshop with The Message.

"We wanted this to be a celebration of music," said Mr. Campbell. "We are very fortunate at Wesley to have great music groups. We will try and have all the music groups at Wesley perform at least one song.

"We had the opportunity this past Sunday to play in church. Wesley is already incorporating some of the other instruments mandolin, guitar, piano, sometimes bass player.

I know that Ebenezer also has a praise band. A lot of churches are starting to incorporate those. We try to give some more resources and more ideas."

Other members of The Message include Nathan Beeler, Sara Wilson, and Vikki Reid.

The Message can be found on the social networking site Facebook. Tonight's concert will be held at Wesley at 7.30 p.m. Entry is free although a freewill offering to the church is appreciated.

The group will also perform during the Sunday service at Wesley at 11 a.m.