From the start, he looked to overcome cultural and denominational barriers. With this idea as a centerpiece, Israel formed his New Breed Ministries in 1995 with his wife, Meleasa, and a group of world-class musicians and singers. Touring extensively brought the Ministries' powerful and diverse sound to churches around the U.S., while Israel's two 1997 releases -- Whisper It Loud and Way of the World -- kicked off his recording career. New Season from 2001 became the first Israel & New Breed release and their first release on Sony. That label also issued Real in 2002 and Live from Another Level (on both CD and DVD) in 2004. Alive in South Africa from 2005 featured a performance in Cape Town in front of 8,000 attendees. The holiday album Timeless Christmas appeared a year later, followed by Love God. Love People. The London Sessions in 2010. In 2012 Integrity issued Decade, a two-disc, 26-track career overview, as well as Jesus at the Center: Live. Houghton and his group continued to document their travels with 2015's Covered: Alive in Asia. ~ David Jeffries