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Beyond the Song: New Ground sings Let’s Carry On

New Ground

Beyond the Song by Jantina Baksteen

It was the song “Let’s Carry On,” from the group New Ground, that caught my attention for this edition of Beyond the Song. I got in contact with Robbie Fortner Maxwell, who is one of the founders of New Ground, and she agreed to join me in this interview. Robbie is joined by Dale Maxwell and David Owens to form this exciting trio. Read on.

Jantina Baksteen: Please share a little background on how you got started with New Ground.

Robbie Fortner Maxwell: On June 19, 1993, we started our group New Ground as a quartet with a full band. Our first singing was held at our home church, and needless to say, we (were) a bunch of scared individuals on a new journey to share our music. After just singing where we were called locally, we began to venture out a little further with our message. During this time, we saw our group go from a quartet to a trio, and full band, to piano and tracks. We have been traveling this way for the past 23 years.

JB: Who are your music influences?

RM: The McGruders, Hinsons

JB: Do you have a testimony to share?

RM:  My testimony was when Dale was traveling with the groups, I wanted to be a part of a group – I just wanted to sing. I couldn’t carry a tune, but I loved the music. I was reading my Bible one day and read the verse Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee desires of thine heart.” (KJV). Wow. I got ahold of that verse and began to believe that the Lord would do that for me, and at 26 years old, I just began to sing! What an awesome God we serve.

JB: How is it like to travel as a couple and with ýour longtime friend David Owens?

RM: David is on year 23 (of) traveling with Dale and I. He has been a part of our family for many years. We love David and his entire family (wife – Stacy, children – Brandon, Chelsea and Celeste). David is an only child and he says that if he had ever had a sister it would have been me!

JB: You have Mickey Bell back on board again?

RM: Mickey has been a friend since New Ground first got started in 1993. He has been with us on three different stints. Mickey still plays piano for us on special occasions but he has embarked on a Christian Comedian Tour and is doing great. Check him out at www.themickeybell.com.

JB: You already celebrated 25 years of singing. Can you share a little about that?

RM: Well we are working on year 27 now. When Dale and I started the group many years ago, we had said that we were gonna sing as long as the Lord allowed (and He) is with this group. I’d never dreamed that it would have been going this long, with no breaks. He keeps blessing us more each day to sing His songs. Who knows where I’ll be at age 80. I hope it is still singing for Him!

JB: You have a single put out to radio that’s called ‘Let’s Carry On’ that caught my attention, and I’ve requested it almost every day. Can you share the message of that song?

RM: The message actually tells us that the path was paved before us through the Word of God that we received by the many pastors/preachers/instructors – and we should be found faithful carrying on what we were taught to a lost and dying world.

JB: Who is the writer? What does this song mean to you personally?

RM: A great friend of ours by the name of Tim Fugatt, co-wrote the song with Regina Walden. We were at Tim’s church a little over a year ago and he sat down and sang the song to us and we knew then we wanted to record the song. We have known Tim for probably 20 years. He was a 13-year-old young man and he was at our studio and told Dale that he wanted to be able to work in music when he grew up, and at 20 years later he has written some phenomenal songs (as a matter of fact, we have recorded four of them) and is an unbelievably talented musician. He is a music minister in a church near Mobile, Alabama sharing his talents. The song encourages us to keep singing and carrying His message!

JB: You travel all over the country and made it even to Scotland. Is there a difference in how the audience receives the message or in how they respond?

RM: We have been so blessed to travel to many different places to sing. One of the biggest events in our lives was to be a part of the Scotland Music Convention. We were chosen to come and share our ministry with fellow Christians in Scotland. When fellow Christians unite to worship, it is the same no matter where you are. We had so much in common being His children and just inviting Him in with us. Everyone has a common connection – no matter where we are at.

JB: What is on top of your bucket list?

RM: My bucket list: Just continue to sing, sing, sing wherever He sends us!

JB: What is your favorite Bible quote to hold on to?

RM: Like I already mentioned, it is Psalm 37:4 – that’s my promise.

JB: What is ahead for you?

RM: Every singing is a special time for us! Just looking at many more great days in the Lord.

JB: Where can we find you on the web?

RM: You can find us at www.newgroundministries.com on the web and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewGroundMinistries

We hope you enjoy New Ground singing “Let’s Carry On.” You can hear it on Facebook HERE.

Thank you Robbie for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your wonderful ministry. Hope God keeps blessing you and New Ground to “Carry On” and reach out to those who are lost and share the Gospel with them.

Jantina Baksteen

By Jantina Baksteen

Jantina Baksteen is a gospel music writer and a regular contributor to SGNScoops magazine and website.

Jantina Baksteen – biography:

I live all the way overseas in the Netherlands. I’m married and I have three adult children. I grew up in a Christian home and knew in my early years that I wanted to belong to Him. I surrendered my life to Christ was baptized one day before I turned 11 years old. Somehow, the seed of loving gospel music was planted by the style of music my parents played at home. Around 2006/2007, I was listening to Gaither homecoming music that I found on the internet. The song, “Oh, What A Savior,” by Ernie Haase hit me with the so-called Southern gospel bug. From there, I’ve been reading /studying all I can find. I found the digital SGNScoops Magazine. I started praying for God to please give me a job in the Southern gospel industry. Now I do the “Beyond the Song” article that really has my heart as I am reaching out to artists, asking about a current song and having a sneak peak behind the scenes.

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11th Hour releases “I Know It’s Mine,” a powerful declaration of faith

Arden, North Carolina (October 23, 2020) — For their first single following their acclaimed 2019 release A Lot With A Little, Southern Gospel trio 11th Hour’s “I Know It’s Mine” (Website HERE) proclaims a message of surviving life’s trials — one that’s especially meaningful during these trying times.

“‘I Know It’s Mine’ is a declaration,” says the trio’s Amber Eppinette, who is the featured lead vocalist. “When Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, and I wrote this song, we had that sentiment in mind. There are many battles out there, but when we follow Jesus Christ, we always have the victory over anything that comes our way.”

From the opening line that speaks of a time when “there are so many battles around us, pressing on every side,” the song is perfectly attuned to the moment, adds Eppinette. “If there ever was a time that we needed to realize we have victory over everything when we stand with Christ, it is now.”

In keeping with the song’s theme of a faith that overcomes every obstacle, “I Know It’s Mine” builds in strength and power. Starting from a sparse, almost intimate opening, it rises to a soulful, dramatic crescendo that delivers the lyric’s triumphant statement of certainty in spiritual victory through powerful harmonies from group members Jaquita Lindsey and Logan Smith, as they affirm:

“I’m going to sing, gonna lift up His name,
my weapon of worship is my song of praise.”

With four #1 songs and a growing number of top 10 singles to their credit, 11th Hour has moved quickly to make its mark as a leading member of a new generation of Southern Gospel artists whose musical ministry is built on a foundation of personal faith and compelling music.

Listen to “I Know It’s Mine” HERE.

About 11th Hour
Over the last ten years of traveling on the road, 11th Hour has seen God do some incredible things. With musical influences such as Karen Peck and New River, The Martins, Gold City, and The Kingsmen, 11th Hour has stayed fresh and relevant while maintaining a versatile sound, able to lead congregations in moving times of worship. After reaching high acclaim, in 2012, 11th Hour signed a recording contract with Crossroads Music. They’ve had five #1 songs on the Singing News chart and been nominated for numerous awards in Southern Gospel music such as Singing News Trio of the Year and AGM Album of the Year, while Amber Eppinette was nominated for Soprano of the Year. 11th Hour features Eppinette, alto singer Jaquita Lindsey and tenor singer Logan Smith.

About Crossroads:
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ music.

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Beyond the Song: Chronicle sings “City of Gold”

Chronicle

Beyond the Song by Jantina Baksteen

For this interview, we step into the lives of Tim and Missy Kinchen, who we know as Chronicle. They met each other at a very young age at a revival service. Missy shares she was around 12 or 13 years of age, and Tim must have been 15 – 16 years old when the first saw each other. Little did they know, they would actually meet again five years later at a revival in Watson, Louisiana, beginning a romance that continues today.

The Kinchens are the proud parents of Tim, Jr., and Christie, their daughter-in-law, and are also proud grandparents of Kolson. Missy and Tim reside in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

Jantina Baksteen: So Missy, lets get started.You are a singing couple that form the Chronicle ministry. When did this come to life and why the name Chronicle? 

Missy Kinchen: We have been Chronicle the past 11 years since April, 2009, and have been in ministry approximately 24 years. The name Chronicle came from a gospel group Greg knew of from the 80’s that had disbanded. He called one of the members and asked if we could have permission to use the name and they agreed.

Chronicle started in 2009 with six people. Over the years, (we) went down to five, four, then a trio in 2013 made up of Tim Kinchen, Greg Sullivan and Missy Kinchen. We share many happy memories of (traveling) on the road, sharing the gospel with many. Chronicle became a duo in October of 2016 after Greg had to leave due to unforeseen circumstances.

JB: Who are your musical influences?

MK: Tim’s musical influences as a child was his uncle that lived next door, Hilary Turner, and his older brother, James L. Kinchen, Jr., (Bubba). (I) wasn’t in music much as a child, but would sing gospel songs with (my) grandmothers, Eva McDonald, and Martha McLin.

JB: When we hear Chronicle, we also hear that unmistakable, smooth sax sound. How long has Tim played the saxophone and does he play other instruments?  

MK: Tim has been playing the saxophone 40 years. He started in school. (Tim) also plays lead guitar, bass guitar and acoustic guitar.

JB: You just released a song to radio, “City Of Gold,” written by Shirley Cohron; on what album is that recorded? 

MK: “City of Gold,” is off of Chronicle’s “Sunday Morning Red Back Hymnal” album (from) 2018. This song was in Tim’s family a long time. He remembers hearing his brother sing this song many times.

JB: What is the message in this song?

MK: This song talks about a city of gold where no one will ever be in pain, no sickness or death in this beautiful place.

JB: What is your message you share on stage?

MK: Chronicle shares the message that there is hope in Christ Jesus. He is the answer for anything you face in life, for truly all of our hope is in Him.

JB: Do you have a personal testimony you’d like to share that could be of help to others?  

MK: God healed me twice. Once with a health problem; she had someone pray with her and was healed from that day (she was in her 20’s). Then another time, when she was faced with surgery, she was healed the day before the surgery; another test revealed that she was healed. Missy remembers praying before she went into the room for the test, and saying, “Lord, by faith I am touching the hem of your garment.” She didn’t want to have surgery. The doctor called her and said “miracles still happen”

JB: We all go through stuff and feel as if we are down in a valley. When you feel yourself in that situation, you still have to perform on stage. Do you use that on stage or do you step outside of that? How does that work for you? 

MK: Sometimes before a concert, when we may be down about something before a singing, we just have to pray before we go and ask the Lord to take over and minister through us. Because sometimes you haven’t had a great day, or may not be feeling well, but God is still God, and deserves to be the main focus of what we do.

JB: You quoted Psalm 21:3 on your website. Why this verse?

MK: The reason we quoted that verse is because it is His power that we want to exalt through our singing; it’s not about us but about Him.

JB: If a church would like to book you, how can they reach you? 

MK: You can reach us at our website http://www.chroniclegospelgroup.com  and all of our contact information is on there.

We hope you enjoy the song “City of Gold,” as sung by Chronicle.

Thank you, Chronicle, for sharing your ministry with SGNScoops. We pray that your ministry blesses and brings the message of hope to those who have no hope, or who may need a special touch.

Jantina Baksteen

By Jantina Baksteen

Jantina Baksteen is a gospel music writer and regular contributor to SGNScoops magazine and website.

Jantina Baksteen – biography:

I live all the way overseas in the Netherlands. I’m married and I have three adult children. I grew up in a Christian home and knew in my early years that I wanted to belong to Him. I surrendered my life to Christ was baptized one day before I turned 11 years old. Somehow, the seed of loving gospel music was planted by the style of music my parents played at home. Around 2006/2007, I was listening to Gaither homecoming music that I found on the internet. The song, “Oh, What A Savior,” by Ernie Haase hit me with the so-called Southern gospel bug. From there, I’ve been reading /studying all I can find. I found the digital SGNScoops Magazine. I started praying for God to please give me a job in the Southern gospel industry. Now I do the “Beyond the Song” article that really has my heart as I am reaching out to artists, asking about a current song and having a sneak peak behind the scenes.

For more news read the SGNScoops Magazine Here

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New Legacy Project Announces Retirement of Lead Singer, Hunter Sparkman

Hunter Sparkman of New Legacy Project

Nashville, Tenn – Popular Southern Gospel group, New Legacy Project, have announced that Hunter Sparkman, their long time lead singer, will be leaving the group at the end of this year.

While the group is sorry to see Hunter leave, they are celebrating with him over the upcoming addition to his family.  He and wife, Stacey, are expecting their first child in January.  It is with great joy that the group support his decision to spend more time with his newly growing family.

Hunter stated, “I am so grateful to Rick Price and New Legacy Project for taking a chance on me. Traveling and singing with my best friends has made me into the man I am now, and that man is so excited to be a father and even more of a husband! While I am looking forward to the new memories ahead with my family, those made with NLP will not be forgotten.”

Hunter has been an integral part of NLP for the past six years.  His incredibly powerful vocal ability and unique sound has helped shape the group into the powerhouse quartet that they are.  He’s also been a contributing writer and arranger on many of the group’s releases.

Of Hunter’s departure, group owner and leader Rick Price says, “It’s always a loss when someone leaves the group, especially when they have been part of our lives and ministry for so long. But we are more than just a group, we are a family.  We know that God has an amazing and awe-inspiring next chapter for both Hunter and for NLP.  It’s always exciting to see what He will do.”

The group will be auditioning singers over the December/January break, with the intent of bringing a new member on board for the January tour.  Those interested should email a performance video or demo mp3 and headshot to kingdomartistsmedia@gmail.com.  Relocation will not be required for the full-time position.

If you would like to interview New Legacy Project contact AG Publicity at info@agpublicity.com

To purchase New Legacy Project’s music click any of the icons or go to NLP Store .

To connect with New Legacy Project just follow them on social media or their Website:

To book New Legacy Project for you church, concert, or event call 800-482-5659 or 615-939-5164 or Email: newlegacyproject@yahoo.com

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Beyond the Song: Bob Sellers sings “Wonderful Story of Love”

Beyond the Song with Jantina Baksteen

We all know Bob Sellers who sang with the Kingsmen. As Bob stepped down to start a solo career, I kept in contact with Bob and interviewed him about his solo career.

Jantina Baksteen: You grew up in a Christian home. Could you share a little memory of the time you got saved?

Bob Sellers: I was fortunate enough to have been raised by wonderful, Godly parents. If the church doors were open, we were there. We were there for Summer Revival 1984, when I was just eight-and-a-half years old, and although I don’t remember the sermon or the song, I very vividly remember kneeling in repentance and asking Jesus to come into my heart. My grandfather, Rev. Paul Sellers, who remains such a huge part of my testimony, was my pastor, and Rev. Jackie Adcox, was the evangelist. Before he was saved, my grandfather was an alcoholic. After he was saved, he never had the urge to drink again, and he surrendered to the call to preach the gospel just a few years later.  

JB: When did you discover your interest in singing?

BS: I don’t really remember, because I’ve been singing all my life. I grew up singing with my mother, Helen, and sister, Stephanie, in a little church trio. Mom played piano by ear, so she’d hear a song on gospel radio that she liked and she’d learn to play it and teach us our parts. Mom was a stickler, so it had to be correct. I think that played a big role in developing my ear for harmony. I hit a really shy stage in my tweens and teens however and quit singing altogether. I got back into it thanks to the urging of my late mother-in-law, Becky, once she found out I could sing a little. She was always a huge supporter of mine, and I owe a big part of my marriage and my career to her. 

Capstone Quartet

JB: A long time ago you started your own first group called Capstone Quartet. What age were you and who were your singing buddies?

BS: I was actually hired in that group in the early 2000s, and that was my first quartet. I had hair! It was begun in 1992, in Tuscaloosa, (home of the University of Alabama campus known as “The Capstone”) by Joe Brown and Charlie Howard. A few years later, I wound up owning the group through attrition. Joe Brown hired me, so I still give him a lot of credit for my start in gospel music and he’s still one of my best friends in the world. That first lineup consisted of myself at lead, Joe on bass, Dale Taylor at tenor and Jimmy Latham at baritone. The lineup right after that, which included Danny Scott on baritone, recorded an album at Crossroads Studios in Asheville, N. C., and really set a new bar for that quartet from a sound perspective. The final lineup that I was a part of was myself, Dave Ezell (baritone), Dave Waldrep (bass) and Kevin Hodges (tenor). I have a lot of great memories from my Capstone days and many of those guys are still some of my best friends. 

Bob Sellers with the Kingsmen

JB: I read your influence groups were the Cathedrals, Gold City and Kingsmen. How was it to receive that call to join the Kingsmen, the group that influenced you in your early years?

BS: Oh, it was just as surreal as one might imagine. The year after my grandfather passed away, I promoted a gospel concert called The Rev. Paul Sellers Memorial Sing, which was sponsored by my home church, and was going to help towards the down payment on a new fellowship hall (we hoped). I emailed dozens of gospel artists asking for a reduced flat for a Saturday night concert to help us with our goal, and the Kingsmen was the only group willing to come for what was probably half of their normal Saturday night flat. I certainly never forgot that, and I started to really keep up with them whenever they were in this area, and got to know some of them individually through social media. Bryan Hutson asked me to fill in for him in south Alabama one Thursday night, and I thought my life had been made. My whole church and family came down to see me get to sing one night with the Mighty Kingsmen, and it was a dream come true. Little did I know that about a year later, they would need a lead singer, and it still humbles me that I was the first call Ray Reese made. Other than my salvation, my marriage and the birth of my children, it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. 

JB: What wise lessons did you learn traveling with Hall of Famer Ray Reese of the Kingsmen? 

BS: That is actually an easy question for me to answer. The one lesson that Ray taught me over any others, is to trust the Lord. And it wasn’t anything he ever told me, but what he showed me in his daily actions. The best example I can think of came in Westfall, Ohio. We were there singing at the high school when the transmission literally fell out of the bus. We had to be towed all the way back to Asheville from there and after it was all said and done, I think the bill for that and a new transmission was around $25,000. If I’d have owned the group and been responsible for the bus, I think I’d have had a heart attack right there, but Ray was cool, calm and collected. He said (as he often would whenever adversity came), “Boys, these things just happen. We will just trust the Lord to help us get it fixed and paid for and go from there doing what God has called us to do.” And he was just always low-key and even-keeled like than no matter what ever happened. After his wife Carolyn passed away, I’d witness him crying alone in the front lounge of the bus and calling her phone repeatedly just to hear her voicemail message, but then I’d witness him get himself together, get dressed and go do what God put him here to do, which was, sing the gospel and put a smile of other people’s faces. That made a huge impact on me, since I was (and probably still am) a lot more high strung when everything doesn’t go just right. 

JB: You experienced some shyness in your early years. How did you overcome this?

BS: All I can say is that God helped me to overcome that. There was a stage in my life when I would literally turn three shades of red if something happened like a girl approached me or someone teased me about something. I wanted to drop out of college when I found out that Public Speaking was a prerequisite and I’d have to give several speeches in front of the class throughout the semester. I couldn’t have gotten up in front of 10 people to talk without being a ball of nerves, much less sing in front of 18,000 at Freedom Hall. When I got back into singing in my 20s, I truly believe it was a calling from God, and, as the old saying goes, I believe it’s true that “He equips the called.”

JB: What advice would you give artists who deal with the same issue, to overcome stage fright?

BS: Imagine the audience in their underwear. I’m kidding. I’ve heard that one before and always thought it was ridiculous. I’d say just pray about it and try to relax. Don’t worry so much about who’s in the audience or how many are in the audience. Focus on the things you can control, and on working to be the best you can possibly be, each and every time you step on stage. When you are your biggest critic, what other people think will be secondary, and when you aren’t so worried about what all the people looking at you think, then you won’t be as nervous or shy.

JB: What made you resign from the Kingsmen?

BS: The Kingsmen was the first full-time singing job I’d ever had, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I loved most things about it, but found that the one thing I didn’t love about it, was being away from my family so much. After six or seven years, I realized that my kids were still babies when I started, and suddenly they were about grown and it felt like I’d missed it all. The reality is, I did miss a lot of it. I lived 480 miles from the bus, so for a typical week, I’d leave on Wednesdays about 2:00 p.m. to get to Asheville by midnight, and I’d get home sometime on Monday of that next week. The only day I could really count on being home was Tuesday, and as sure as I planned something, it seemed we’d end up being on the road even then. I had an experience with my son that last year of my tenure that really affected me. It wasn’t really a big deal; he just had this huge meltdown when I went back on the road after my summer vacation of being home a couple of weeks, and that’s really when being gone so much began to eat at me. I didn’t want to leave. I told Ray when I gave my notice that if he could slow down to about 100 dates a year and could still afford to pay us, he’d never run me off, but that’s just not a reality. It’s not his fault, it’s just the nature of the business. Groups with a bus, payroll for six or seven people, etc., in this day and time of fewer ticketed events (or “flats”), just about have to sing every opportunity they get. I prayed about it a long time and got the peace I needed one day while painting a bedroom. My line where the wall met the ceiling was shaky and I was trying different methods to help get it straight. I finally figured out that if I looked just ahead of the brush, then my line would be straight. I’d been praying that whole day and at that time, Proverbs 3:5&6 came to me: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. Lean not unto thine own understanding, but in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Just as sure as the day I was saved, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me that my life was just like my painting technique. I had to quit worrying about where I was or where I’d been, and put my future in God’s hand and he’d set everything straight, just like the paint line on that wall. That’s when I decided to resign. Thankfully, I was able to leave on good terms, and I still count Ray and Brandon Reese as dear friends, as well as Randy Crawford, Chris Jenkins and everyone associated with the Kingsmen organization. 

Bob Sellers and family

JB: How did you get to join the Old Time Preacher’s Quartet?

BS: Les Butler called me about two days after my announcement to leave the Kingsmen was made on Facebook. He said that he’d just told his wife the week before, that if I ever left the Kingsmen, he was going to ask me to sing lead with the Old Time Preachers Quartet. My first thought was that I didn’t want to be one of those who left one group “to spend more time with his family,” just to jump to another group the next week. I wanted to avoid that image, but more than that, I really wanted to spend more time with my family. I also had determined at that point to try my best to establish a solo ministry. I shared all that with Les and we talked a lot after that. After more talk and praying about it, eventually it seemed like the right thing to do. After all, the plan was to sing only 50-60 dates a year (about one weekend a month). I felt like that would be a good way to scratch the quartet itch and have some weeks that I didn’t have to fill with solo dates. I did wait five or six months, but after the first of 2019, we made it official. Those are great guys, also. We had a good run and made a good album, but the dates picked up to over 100 a year and balancing both my solo schedule and the quartet’s schedule eventually became too much. 

Bob Sellers

JB: For a couple of years now, you’ve traveled as a soloist and recently brought out your first solo album since leaving The Kingsmen, “Wonderful Story of Love.” Please share how this project came together?

BS: I first thought about doing an album of all original songs and then another one of songs I’ve been singing a while but had never had a chance to record, but I already had one that’s a collection of my gospel favorites, “Preludes.” In the end, I just decided to mix it up on the new album, so I put a few of those favorite songs on there and added a few originals or relatively current hits. The songs as a collection bless me, and I pray that they’ll bless others. That’s all that I what I want my music to always do. 

JB: You’ve put out a solo by the same name, “Wonderful Story of Love,” to radio. What’s the message of the song?

BS: “Wonderful Story of Love,” is a great song by Lee Black and Gina Boe. I had actually placed this song on hold when we were looking for songs for the last Kingsmen album of which I was a part. It didn’t make our final cut. (When you’re with a label, you pick a few songs and they pick the others…with publishing carrying a lot of weight. I’m independent, so I could cut whatever I wanted to!) The message in the song is pretty much my personal commitment to God to sing His praises – “The Wonderful Story of Love” – for as long as I have breath and He will equip me for it and open doors. After I cut the song, I realized the feel of it vaguely reminded me of Battle Cry (which was also a co-write of Lee Black’s), which was such a huge song and album for The Kingsmen. It’s an upbeat, feel-good song, but don’t miss the message – “I will sing of the wonderful story, I will tell of his love so great; I will shout ‘til I’m home in glory, when I’ll sing a new song of praise to the Lamb who was slain, the King who will reign, the Author of this wonderful story of love!”

JB: Have you ever tried to write your own song?

BS: Yes. I’ve tried and so far I have failed miserably. I think I have some good ideas sometimes, and come up with some pretty good hooks every now and then, but I definitely think I would make a better co-writer, if anything, than writer. I have been blessed with a pretty good ear for recognizing good songs, (I brought “Battle Cry,” among others, to the Kingsmen and had placed a hold on another song that also didn’t make our final cut called “Come Sunday Morning,” which turned out to be pretty good for The Old Paths). When listening to demos that I’m not particularly sold on, I sometimes find myself re-writing lines in my head. Who knows if that would make them better or worse, because the verdict is definitely still out on that one! 

JB: Have you ever experienced violence during a concert, and if so, how did you handle that? 

BS: Congrats! You are the first to ever ask me that question in an interview like this! (Laughing!) That’s an interesting question for a gospel music interview. As for an answer, thankfully no, I’ve not experienced any violence during a concert, at least not yet. Hopefully I can retire one day and still answer this the same way. Interestingly enough, I did get somewhat verbally assaulted one night during my record pitch for the Kingsmen when talking about the Singing At Sea gospel cruise we took every year. To this day, I don’t know what the man thought I said or what, but a guy stood up in the audience and just started railing me out over it. I finally said, “Sir, I’m trying to do a product pitch here, would you please be quiet!?” Again, I don’t have any idea what he got the bee in his bonnet about, but it took some big ole’ guys from the audience actually physically removing him from the building to settle him down. Some strange things can certainly happen. 

JB: If you’re not traveling, what do you for work, and where do we find you in your off time?

BS: If I’m not traveling working, I’m at home working so that I keep traveling. Mondays are usually office days when I do my books, go to the bank and try to return any missed emails or phone calls from the weekend. Later in the week, I’ll send off any product orders I may have, do radio liners, interviews, social media updates, website updates, DJ follow-ups, product inventory, pay bills, keep up with stats and insights on different sites, update my newsletter subscribers, etc. Then, of course, a large part of my time is spent thinking about who, from a logistics standpoint, I can contact about a specific date that I need to fill. That is a full-time job in and of itself. Whether I am eating breakfast, working around the house, watching the news, laying in the bed or whatever, the wheels are always turning. I still manage to create plenty of off-time for myself, as well. That’s when you’ll usually find me either with my family or fishing. For years, I didn’t have much off time, so now I fish a lot. Getting out and enjoying God’s creation, especially on water, is my therapy.

JB: You‘ve shared once that you had your earplugs in when you’re not traveling with a group, with the sound of white noise to fall asleep. Are you still using that?

BS: When I was on the bus, I usually put in earplugs and had some noise playing on a Bose speaker by my head. It was supposed to be the sound of an engine of some sort. We kept it cold on our side of the bus and it was usually about 58 degrees in my bunk. So I was wrapped up to the top of my head with a sheet, fleece blanket and a thick comforter had that noise going which blocked out anything, and rocking to the bus motion…that was the best sleep in the world and probably one of the things I have missed most about road life. And of course, we stayed up half the night and slept half the day, because there was nothing much else to do inside a bus. So now I usually get up when my wife and kids leave for school. And I have a fan and light blocking curtains in our bedroom, but it’s not the same. I certainly don’t sleep with earplugs and block out the world, because I’m afraid I might sleep through an emergency or something. It took me many months after coming of the bus to be able to get a decent night’s sleep!

JB: How do we get hold of you to sing at a church service or concert?

BS: I try to book every Sunday morning and every Sunday night that I can. I live in west-central Alabama, and if overnight travel is required, I try to book additional nights that week. I don’t have a set charge for any church service. Someone asked me recently how I’m able to do that and still make a living. All I can say is that’s just how I’ve done it since I started solo, and God has always met my financial needs. I also work hard to keep my overhead and expenses low. To book me for a church: I’d love to go any place that would love to have me! I can be reached by phone at (205) 331-9997 or email at office@bobsellersministries.com or through social media. On Facebook, find me at Bob Sellers Ministries. On Twitter, Instagram and YouTube – @BobSellersSings. 

Website HERE.

We hope you enjoy “Wonderful Story of Love” by Bob Sellers:

Thanks so much Bob for sharing  your ministry with SGNScoops.  Blessings on your ministry, as you share the good news with the ones who need encouragement, and with those who have never heard the gospel of salvation.

Jantina Baksteen

By Jantina Baksteen

Jantina Baksteen is a gospel music writer and regular contributor to SGNScoops magazine and website.

Jantina Baksteen – biography:

I live all the way overseas in the Netherlands. I’m married and I have three adult children.

I grew up in a Christian home and knew in my early years that I wanted to belong to Him. I surrendered my life to Christ was baptized one day before I turned 11 years old.

Somehow, the seed of loving gospel music was planted by the style of music my parents played at home. Around 2006/2007, I was listening to Gaither homecoming music that I found on the internet. The song, “Oh, What A Savior,” by Ernie Haase hit me with the so-called Southern gospel bug.

From there, I’ve been reading /studying all I can find. I found the digital SGNScoops Magazine.

As I was spending so much time reading and listening about this industry, I started praying for God to please give me a job in the Southern gospel industry. Sometimes, I commented to Lorraine Walker on her posts. How could she know the longing of my heart?

But last year she asked me if I wanted to do something for SGNScoops: the Wacky Wednesday posts online. Now I do the “Beyond the Song” article that really has my heart as I am reaching out to artists, asking about a current song and having a sneak peak behind the scenes.

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Endless Highway tells of redemption in “He Rescued Me”

Arden, North Carolina (October 9, 2020) — The Griggs family that makes up Endless Highway (website HERE) is known for combining diverse musical styles with compelling songs that communicate meaning and reflect on their personal journeys in Christ. It’s music with a message, intended to reach listeners, followers of Christ and those searching for redemption. The group’s new single, “He Rescued Me” is no different.

Showing a different side than their roots, acoustic treatment of songs, “He Rescued Me” is an ardent band performance that uses a string quartet and is arranged in a way that exudes boldness. The result is both tender and intense.

The Griggs family members — parents Jason and Venessa and their two children, Jay and Allison — deliver a four-part harmony chorus that gives a controlled, powerful dynamism meant to capture the redemptive moment of grace over sin that comes with freedom in Christ.

“Then He rescued me
I’m glad He rescued me
From the cold dark waters of sin’s troubled sea
Jesus rescued me
I have new life I am free
When he reached down in love
And He rescued me”

With Allison Griggs singing lead vocals, “He Rescued Me” is an updated rendition of a powerful song the group heard decades ago.

“The Gospel message in this song is still relevant today,” says Jason Griggs. “Whether you are drowning in a sea of sin, guilt, oppression, or addiction, God always hears the desperate cry of His children and stands ready to save, deliver, and liberate the captive. This song gives hope to the enslaved and is the testimony of the rescued.”

Listen to “He Rescued Me” HERE.

September 2020 SGN Scoops Magazine

About Endless Highway
Endless Highway, which originally was started as The Joylanders in 1971 by Perry & Nell Wimberley, stands and sings three generations strong at each concert. The group has continued the Gospel ministry started then through Vanessa Griggs, Perry & Nell’s daughter, her husband Jason Griggs and their children Jay and Allison Griggs, who now do the bulk of the singing at live performances.

Endless Highway offers a blend of Southern Gospel, Bluegrass Gospel, Acapella, and Acoustic Music. Whether it be a time tested hymn of the church, a spirited acapella song, or a toe-tapping bluegrass song, Endless Highway will offer something to please every concert-goer. Attendees are sure to enjoy a mix of live instrumentation, pure acapella music, and tracks accompanied by Endless Highway’s vocals. Endless Highway loves to have fun while ministering, but make no mistake, their goal is to exalt Christ, edify the church, and evangelize to the lost.

About Crossroads:
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ music.

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Beyond the Song: The Chitans sing “Set Apart”

Beyond the Song features The Chitans

Beyond the Song by Jantina Baksteen

I reached out to the Chitans who are a family group from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Members are: Layne, Karen, Kaiziah, Kayandra, Jessy  L, Jayden and Karlainah.

They have a wonderful family harmony sound. The new song “Set Apart” made me want to learn about them.

Jantina Baksteen: Please share with us a little history of how your ministry got started?

Chitans: From the time we were born, all we ever heard in our home and van was gospel music. We started singing and learning to harmonize in family worship. We eventually began singing in churches and nursing homes. People started inviting and referring us to different churches and events. Thus the growth began.

JB: What is it like to travel full time as a family and being on the road on a bus where space could become crowded at times?

Chitans: It might come as a surprise, but we actually don’t travel around in a bus. We travel around in a 2008, nine-seater conversion van.

We enjoy being in full-time ministry, but at times it can be very hectic when we have to travel 10 to 12 hours between appointments. For example, Saturday in Connecticut and Sunday morning in North Carolina or Indiana. It can get a bit tense (there’s no such thing as personal space), but we have learned to survive..

JB: How do you find a little privacy on those long hours? 

Chitans: There is no privacy. Headphones are all that’s needed.

JB: Who’s the joker in the family?

Chitans: Jesse is the joker in our van.

JB: As you travel full time, how do you match this with your fulltime study?

Chitans: We’ve always been homeschooled. This has been our life. We minister mainly on weekends and sometimes during the week, but like any other student, we do our school work Monday to Friday.  

JB: In your Bio, I read that you have shared the stage with many different groups. Could you share with us what that is like?

Chitans: It’s quite something to watch and admire ministers of the gospel, (singers and preachers) while growing up, and still at a very young age find yourself on stage ministering alongside them. It’s rather humbling. But we believe that God has orchestrated our path and will lead us to places that we have not yet even imagined. 

JB: You are originally from Toronto, Canada, but you travel all over the United States, and even abroad to Europe and Kenya. Is there a story from your travels that is close to your heart that has impacted your life?

Chitans: Seeing the deplorable condition of schools in Kenya and just thinking about how children in North America take school facilities and education for granted. 

Our family embarked on a project to renovate The World Light School in Thika, Kenya and to also put in water tanks and bathrooms for the first time. We still have the lunchroom, two more classrooms and an administration block to put in, but Covid-19 happened and put everything on hold. 

JB: Your current radio song is “Set Apart;” what’s the song about? 

Chitans: “Set Apart” is about a deep desire to be the vessels God want us to be. The first verse in the song describes the specific use for the vessels in the Temple. They were consecrated and sanctified to be used for worshipping God. God has a plan for our lives. We are made for a specific purpose. We are not mistakes. We are not casualties of some experiment that God was doing. We were made with purpose. He has blessed us and set us apart for that purpose.  King Belshazzar thought he could use the vessels of the temple for his own purpose, but like our parents taught us, once God sanctifies something, no man, no time, nor devil can change that. 

JB: How do you practice standing bold in your faith, in your daily life?

Chitans: Trying to live our lives the way God expects us too. We want others to see Christ in us daily.

JB: Who does the lead on this song?

Chitans: Kaiziah and Kayandra.

JB: How does the crowd respond when you’re on stage?

Chitans: People usually say they are blessed by our songs. 

JB: What is the message of hope you would like to bring, especially in this turbulent world we live in today? 

Chitans: That Jesus is still in control and He’s willing and able to save anyone and everyone who will call upon His name. 

JB: On your website, you quoted  Mathew 28: 19-20, where it says, 

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Why is this verse so special to you?

Chitans: We have seen Him fulfill His promise at the end of this great commission. He said, “If you go… I will be with you always,” and He has been with us. He carved paths, opened highways, calmed the storms, provided food, transport, accommodation, protection and finance. We have made His work our priority, so, He has made our upkeep His responsibility. 

JB: To wrap up this interview, how can we get in touch with you when a church or event wants to book you for a service?

Chitans: You can reach us by email at: thechitans7@gmail.com Phone at 929-360-8328 (US) or 416-839-3488 (CAN). Our website is www.thechitans.com and you can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @TheChitans

We hope you enjoy this song by the Chitans called “Set Apart:”

https://youtu.be/ytxTlxElpKg  link to ‘’Set Apart

Thank you to all the Chitans for sharing your ministry with SGNScoops. Many blessings on the road, sharing the gospel to a nation who needs to hear the message that brings peace and comfort.

By Jantina Baksteen

Jantina Baksteen is a gospel music writer and regular contributor to SGNScoops magazine and website.

Jantina Baksteen – biography:

I live all the way overseas in the Netherlands. I’m married and I have three adult children.

I grew up in a Christian home and knew in my early years that I wanted to belong to Him. I surrendered my life to Christ was baptized one day before I turned 11 years old.

Somehow, the seed of loving gospel music was planted by the style of music my parents played at home. Around 2006/2007, I was listening to Gaither homecoming music that I found on the internet. The song, “Oh, What A Savior,” by Ernie Haase hit me with the so-called Southern gospel bug.

From there, I’ve been reading /studying all I can find. I found the digital SGNScoops Magazine.

As I was spending so much time reading and listening about this industry, I started praying for God to please give me a job in the Southern gospel industry. Sometimes, I commented to Lorraine Walker on her posts. How could she know the longing of my heart?

But last year she asked me if I wanted to do something for SGNScoops: the Wacky Wednesday posts online. Now I do the “Beyond the Song” article that really has my heart as I am reaching out to artists, asking about a current song and having a sneak peak behind the scenes.

For more news read the SGNScoops Magazine Here

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Download SGN Scoops Magazine PDF Here

Listen To Todays Southern Gospel Here

Inheritance and Classic Artists Music Group Announce Music Partnership

Inheritance is the musical branch of Douglas G Davis Evangelistic Association.  As with all things, the music began with a dream, a want to, and faith.

The dream began in 2001 as Davis felt God’s leading in a new direction for ministry. Davis felt that God was calling him to develop the foundation that would allow him to use both his musical talent and his calling to present the gospel. Two close friends joined him in this endeavor and soon the non-profit ministry Douglas G. Davis Evangelistic Association, Inc. became reality. With the suggestion from the board of directors, the first trio formed by the DGDEA was named Eliana. This trio consisted of Douglas, his daughter, Lauren, and Pam Starr, which was replaced soon after by an alto singer.

Little did anyone know that more changes were coming. Changes came again when Lauren became a mother and the alto singer left to get married. As in life, Davis wondered where the ministry was headed. Changes were still coming. Douglas met Melinda in 2009 at a Redback Church Hymnal singing.  And the saying goes, the rest is history. They were married in June of 2011.

As Douglas and Melinda continued the ministry, a new artist name was chosen: Inheritance. The definition of Inheritance holds great importance for the believer and unbeliever; it carries the powerful meaning of hope. Webster defines Inheritance as something that is or may be inherited; the act of inheriting property; the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring; the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations; a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature. As you can see the promise is one of heritage and the promise to inherit the Kingdom of God. A new phase of ministry began with great anticipation.

Inheritance continues to share the gospel on concert stages, churches, revivals, conferences, and event platforms throughout America. Their brand of gospel music is energetic, filled with rich music and vocal arrangements. With crowd favorite songs to the new interpretative ballads, Inheritance offers a message of hope and encouragement in a troubled world. The impact of an Inheritance concert is felt in the days and weeks after the event. It is uplifting gospel music for today’s world.

Davis shares, “We are not satisfied with our past successes. We want to share the good news today with any and everyone. Our new project, “Love Lifted Me,” offers a variety of music that shares the positive message of Christ. It is really exciting to see what God is doing and what the future holds with our music ministry.

He continues, “Melinda and I have dedicated our lives to this ministry, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ through music, testimonies, and preaching. We pray each day this work is effective and true to its purpose. We spend countless hours searching for songs that will bring the Gospel message to you and through our rehearsals, we work to perfect our harmony. Our family blend is an effort to obtain the sound that will lift you up from your gloom and despair. We pray it will stir your heart to singing praises to the Lord.”

Melinda states, “My sincere desire to those that we minister to is to tell them there is a God that sent His only son to die for them. He didn’t send His son to condemn them but to save them and have a personal relationship with every single person.”

In the 2020 summer, while the Covid-19 Corona Age had set in, talks began with the Classic Artists Music Group concerning the future and direction of Inheritance. As the Corona mandates have changed, the focus on music and ministry is more pronounced than ever.

Davis says, “We are excited to be with a growing company that is focused on doing the right things for ministry. The Classic Artists Music Group has shown in good faith their commitment to work with us to grow our outreach in all areas of our ministry. As we work together, we expect good things as we grow together.”

Charlie Griffin of Classic Artists Music Groups states, “As we have laid our music business foundation, we have worked very hard to be involved with artists who have a clear determination to make a difference in music ministry. The marketplace, our Christian community, and our world is changing, and we must adapt to reach people. Inheritance fits perfectly into our music family. They offer something different with their unique music and vocal arrangements. I think radio is going to love them. I know our Christian community will embrace their sincere heartfelt ministry in music and word.”

The Classic Artists Music Group label, Chime Records, will be home for this talented musical group. The first Inheritance nationwide audio release will be an enthusiastic arrangement of “Love Lifted Me.”

Griffin says, “There is not a song release recently that has this traditional energy playing on today’s radio programs. The musical arrangements have the Harold Lane flare from the Speers. It is nothing but good.”

This late summer release will be at radio stations on the Anytime Music! Anywhere! Summer 2020 Classic Artists Music Group Music CD disc. The compilation disc will be also having individual email support of wave and mp3 audio files sent to music programmers nationwide. The audio release will be supplemented by the Music Programmers Resource links found on ClassicArtistsRecordsllc.net.

Find this group at: Inheritancemusic.org

For DJ music interactions contact Classic Artists Records at 704-552-906 or info@ClassicArtistsRecordsllc.net. 

www.ClassicArtistsRecordsllc.net

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Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers unite for “9 Makes Us 1″ 

Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers

Nashville, TN —  Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers are two groups, from two genres of music traditionally separated more often by race than by the style of music.  Legacy Five is in Southern Gospel which consists of predominantly white artists.  The Wardlaw Brothers are in Gospel which is made up of predominantly black artists.  It is understood that music is divided into genres for industry cataloging purposes and creative stylistic referencing.  But music too often has a racial divide that supersedes creative content.

The Christian music genre is not exempt from its own dilemmas of racial division.  Racial barriers exist in an industry of believers who write and sing about the one God and His one Kingdom.  Also, the current climate of our nation is plagued with reoccurring racial injustices and cultural clashes.  But now, Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers have joined together to be an example of one unified body.

Legacy Five

Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers unite for a ground-breaking collaboration called “9 Makes Us 1″.  Their nine voices fuse under the nine Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Faithfulness, Patience, Kindness, Self-Control, and Gentleness to convey one message – unity.  This effort is a strategic and God-appointed mission to desegregate Christian music genre classifications by putting race aside to demonstrate black and white men bonding in a multicultural cohesive environment all to the glory of GOD.  The result is a beautiful and influential song of the same name “9 Makes Us 1”.

“9 Makes Us 1 is a powerful song of unity that our nation and the world need to hear now,” says Tony Wardlaw of The Wardlaw Brothers.  “The song simply says that there is no place for hatred and that we all need to have empathy for one another.  We must consider what it’s like to walk in each other’s shoes and try to look past each other’s differences to live and survive as one – just as Christ Jesus would have us all be one.”

The Wardlaw Brothers

“When I was first approached about Legacy Five joining forces with The Wardlaw Brothers, my answer was an immediate YES!  We’re in!” Scott Fowler of Legacy Five states.  “The recording session was an amazing day of unity and brotherhood.  I know the Holy Spirit was there and this is not a publicity stunt for either group.  We are men of different backgrounds coming together with one goal – racial unity.  And, what better way to do that by being an example of the nine fruit of the spirit that make us one.”

“9 Makes Us 1” is written by Luther Wardlaw and produced by Tyrone Dickerson and Luther Wardlaw.  This monumental musical effort will be available on all digital music outlets on October 16 released by Daywind Music Group, TWB Records and The Orchard.   The single will premiere exclusively on Monday, October 12 at 10 AM eastern on all SiriusXM Christian Music channels – Enlighten Channel #65, Kirk Franklin’s Praise Channel #64, and The Message Channel #63.

Legacy Five has earned four GMA Dove Award Nominations that include two 2020 nominations  for Southern Gospel Song of the Year for “What Kind Of Man” and Southern Gospel Album of the Year for PURE LOVE.  They were also awarded The Southern Gospel Music Association Recording of the Year.  Their rich four and five-part harmony is delivered by group members Matt Fouch (bass), Bryan Walker (baritone), Scott Fowler (lead), Lee Black (tenor), and Josh Townsend is the group’s pianist.

The Wardlaw Brothers have become one of Gospel music’s most notable groups with their incredibly tight vocal arrangements and dynamic stage presence.  Tony, Luther, Carl, Jamie, and Rodney Wardlaw are biological brothers who have garnered a Stellar Award nomination for their GOD’S BEEN THERE album and a GMA Dove Award Nomination for their #1 Billboard Gospel Album STAND THERE.

Many social situations plague our world and sometimes seem hopeless.  But, through Christ and the power of unity, healing and change can be accomplished.  By believing and actively applying the fruit of the spirit, a wellspring of hope can be ignited and we can all live united as one.  That is the hope of 9 Makes Us 1.

Absolutely Gospel Music

AbsolutelyGospel.Com

Formed over 19 years ago by Deon & Susan Unthank originally as SoGospelNews.com, the site was birthed from an email discussion group by the same name. The SoGospelNews email discussion list was created by the Unthanks after the Singing News shut down its extremely popular discussion list. SoGospelNews started as a simple webpage listing artists, fans, individuals, etc. that were avid supporters of the newly formed SoGospelNews talk list. The site eventually took on printing news for Southern Gospel artists, and eventually took on reviewing the latest recordings from both signed and independent artists within the small genre. SoGospelNews became the most viewed Southern Gospel website on the Internet with over 4,000,000 hits per month.

The Unthank family are now involved in the site, as well as the addition of over two dozen staff writers. The website is based out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In April 2010, SoGospelNews changed its name to AbsolutelyGospel.com. The name change allows them to cover news items of not only Southern Gospel, but also Country Gospel, Inspirational, and Black Gospel.

On January 5, 2011, Susan Unthank passed away, leaving the website in control of Deon, their son, Chris, and their daughter Amy.

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Canadian Thanksgiving Celebration: Thanksgiving with Strangers

Infinitely More: Allison Lynn and Gerald Flemming celebrate Thanksgiving with Strangers

By Allison Lynn

The image of us alone in our hotel room was more than I could bear.

It was just three days from Thanksgiving, and my husband, Gerald, and I were very far from home. As a touring ministry, we’ve gotten used to being away from our family for months on end. We’ve missed countless birthdays, anniversaries, and family celebrations because of our unconventional work schedule.

But this was the first time we were going to be away from our families for Thanksgiving.

We were currently on our first tour across the Canadian prairies. I’m not exaggerating when I say that we didn’t know anyone for miles! Technically, I knew we would be away for Thanksgiving, but the reality of it didn’t really dawn on me before we hit the road. Now, the date loomed on the calendar. I could just see it: In three days, we would be alone in a hotel room, eating cheap take out, watching reruns on hotel cable, and feeling very sorry for ourselves.

The thought of it was more than I could bear. I decided to be proactive. I wrote a post on Facebook: “We’re about to spend Thanksgiving alone in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Does anyone know of a church or community center hosting a public dinner?” There, I thought, with all the people we know, someone has to have some idea!

A friend wrote back, “My friends live outside the city. I’ll connect you with them.”

So, three days later, we found ourselves driving to the town of Dauphin, Manitoba, to spend Thanksgiving with strangers.

Husband and wife, Gary and Betty Medwechuk, had a dream of building a small cabin next to their house. They wanted to create a quiet space where folks in ministry could retreat for rest and refreshment.

Our hand-scrawled directions led us to the sign: In His Rest Retreat. Gerald and I stepped out of the car, a little tired, a little hungry, and mildly apprehensive. Thanksgiving is a time for family. Would it be okay to intrude on this private celebration?

As we stepped into Betty and Gary’s home, we were immediately met with warmth. The wood stove took every bit of fall chill out of the air. The sun on the glittering lake was blindingly beautiful, and the smell of the food enwrapped us like a soft blanket. Turkey, stuffing, veggies, and piles of desserts – what a feast!

And the warmth didn’t just come from the home or the food. It came from Betty, Gary, and their guests. We gathered around the table; introductions were made. We discovered that no one there was family by blood. Instead, we were connected by something much greater.

Photo: https://images.app.goo.gl/mB35Z29VAkS74uJR9

Our apprehension melted away as we were drawn into this circle of friendship. We told stories, shared laughs, and, as the day called us to, gave thanks.

I was raised that you never come empty-handed to a dinner party, but making a dish is a bit of a challenge when you’re on the road. Instead, we offered them something else: “After the meal, if you like, we would love to perform a mini-concert for your guests, as our contribution to the evening.”

So, as everyone licked up the final crumbs of pumpkin pie, Gerald pulled out his guitar, and we began to sing. We shared songs we had written, filled with a message of hope and joy. We sang favorite hymns, and got our new friends to sing along with us. We ended with a prayer of thanks, and a roof-splitting version of “How Great Thou Art.”

Since that time, Betty and Gary have become our true friends. We’ve spent lots of time in their sweet cabin by the lake, and shared countless meals together. We’ve fallen in love with the glorious sunsets that blaze across the prairie sky. We’ve sung in their church, joining together in hours of worship and song.

We thought we were going to spend Thanksgiving with strangers, but you know, we really didn’t. We spent Thanksgiving with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve experienced this over the years. We’ll arrive in a town we’ve never visited to sing in a church we’ve never seen. We’ll arrange to meet a pastor we’ve never met and sing for an audience of absolute strangers. And yet, they are never strangers. We’re always, without fail, welcomed as family.

And every time, I’m reminded of this instruction:
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Photo: https://images.app.goo.gl/DACfPEJX8heha6bi8

Normally, I might take this moment to encourage you to invite a stranger into your home this Thanksgiving, but as I write this today, we are still in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. No doubt, our celebrations this year will be much more intimate. So, in a world of social distancing, what are some other ways we can share our Thanksgiving celebrations with those around us?

Perhaps you could support your church’s Thanksgiving outreach with a gift of time or resources? Local food banks will also need extra donations this season. Perhaps there’s a family on your street who could use a grocery gift card to help provide their meal? Or a shut-in who would appreciate a home-cooked delivery? If cooking isn’t your gift, perhaps you could make a flower arrangement or craft item to brighten someone’s table? And let’s not forget the blessing of technology! Why not host your Thanksgiving dinner over Zoom or Skype so your whole family can participate?

Even in the midst of these trials and challenges, we are loved and blessed. Let’s take time to give thanks, and share our blessings with those around us.

In doing this, who knows? You might just entertain angels unawares…

Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated technically on the second Monday in October, but it usually expands to the complete three day weekend, October 10-12, 2020. Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Infinitely More: Gerald Flemming and Allison Lynn

By Allison Lynn