Robert York’s Concert Rambling’s: Hope’s Journey’s Homecoming
I recently found four great reasons to return to Alabama. One was Hope’s Journey annual Homecoming.Â
Vonda Easley founded Hope’s Journey in 2003 along with her daughter Ashley Easley and Chris Clay. Starting out as a trio, Â after two years they added a bass singer, Trent Adams, to become a quartet. When Trent departed from the group in 2008, they returned to a trio.Vonda and Chris had said many times they would like to go back to a quartet and finally a few months ago, they hired Jordan Wilson as their bass singer. Lauren Miller-Huckabee was added just a few weeks before Jordan as they lost a member of the group.
Then the third reason was that former Hope’s Journey member Ashley, who left the group in 2007 to marry Josh Franks, was there. When Ashley married Josh they started singing as a duet and traveled almost every where to share the gospel. Josh, also being a preacher, often held revivals. These two together are a dynamic duet with Ashley’s great voice and Josh’s energy.
The final reason was The Browders from Hinton, VA, were there. This great family group with Dad Tommy and his testimony will give you one of the greatest uplifting you can receive.
Vonda introduced Rob, making sure that everything was in line for the door prizes and then Chris had the opening prayer. Rob introduced Josh and Ashley Franks who got the evening off with an up beat song. During their set they brought up their children Priscilla and Eli. You could just see the sparkle in Grandma Vonda’s eyes when these two were singing.
The Browders came on the stage with “Lift Up His Name” and “He’s Alive.” Following Tommy’s testimony he sang “I Am Blessed,” saying, “God has blessed and been so good to me.†What a time we all had!
Just prior to the concert beginning, I got a text from Penny Shelnut saying her group Sacred Calling was going to be at a church in Powder Springs the following morning. If you know me, I had to make that event as it was on my way home. Got up early to hear them.Â
Sacred Calling has been singing for five years and current members are Nicole Buchanan, Penny Shelnut, Rachel Elkins and Andrew Alder on the piano. Rev. Snyder Turner sang “My Brand New Home” for their 41st Annual Homecoming. He made a comment after the service how he liked Scared Calling. He said he was not much on jokes and appreciated a group that doesn’t tell jokes but sings the message. I thoroughly enjoyed Sacred Calling and their Homecoming.Â
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Until next time…………. Â
