Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Ravi Zacharias goes to be with his Lord

RZIM.org has released the sad news that well-known preacher Ravi Zacharias has come to the end of his fight. The Facebook page RZIM posted: “This morning, our beloved founder and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, went home to be with Jesus.”

At only 74, he learned he had cancer in March of this year. He is now healed and in the presence of Jesus.

Ravi and Margie Zacharias just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. His daughter, Sarah Davis, says on the RZIM website announcement: “Naomi, Nathan, and I are deeply grateful for your continuing prayers for our mother, Margie, and the many expressions of love you have shown to her and to us.

Soon our family will gather for a graveside service. In the days ahead we will provide details for a public memorial service to be held in Atlanta and streamed around the world.” (https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/ravi-zacharias, May 19, 2020)

Please join SGNScoops in praying for the family and friends of Ravi Zacharias.

CARMAN ANNOUNCES CANCER FREE DIAGNOSIS

Nashville (February 12, 2020) Earlier this winter, Christian Music icon, Carman shared that his Cancer had shown signs of returning. His doctors attacked the disease more aggressively than ever before. Carman traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas for multiple rounds of testing.

I’ve seen the storm
I faced the storm
I weathered the storm
now I am the storm” added Carman.

July 2019 SGNScoops Magazine

Carman has resumed his tour schedule and is currently adding dates for 2020. To stay connected with Carman or to get information on scheduling him, go to CarmanOnTour.com.

ABOUT GATEWAY MANAGEMENT: Gateway Management is a full-service artist and brand management company representing top artists and organizations such as Carman, the Browders, Mattingly Charities, Rachel Jeanette, Jackson Heights and more. Founded by long-time industry leader, Matt Felts, Gateway has gained a reputation for it’s innovative marketing and publicity work on national campaigns.

Carman gets a birthday gift from God

Happy birthday Carman

I ASKED GOD FOR A CANCER FREE BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY THE 19TH AND GOT IT ! — Carman

When we discovered the cancer from 2014 had returned 17% and growing, Dr. Van Rhee put me on a new aggressive combination of treatments in July for seven months. Then (they) tested me again last week with MRI’s, P.E.T. scans, bone biopsies and blood tests. The cancer was now below the levels it was when I first left nine months of chemotherapy in 2014. I’ll have to continue treatment indefinitely through a series of pills I take everyday. Mine is a constant daily battle. But as long as I stay away from stress and get plenty of sleep, I’ll always feel great and not sluggish or lethargic. I still can be active and workout. Bottom line is, I asked God for a cancer free birthday and today it’s now below the zero mark.

Carman

Now, I want to give you a gift on   my birthday. Yes, I’m returning the favor of over 40,000 prayers. To thank you for all your prayerful support, I want to give you my new Rock Opera musical, “Christ the Champion,” free, before its release. You can download it right now. Over 15 classic Carman songs with my dialogue between each song to present the passion of Christ in Christian rock form. It’s a musical you can do and have a great time in your church with dancers, mimes and actors. Or just listen and let it minister to you.

Go to CarmanOnTour.com and download yours.

One last thing. I’m going back on tour this month and have a message for the Devil:

I’ve seen the storm
I faced the storm
I weathered the storm
Now I am the storm

Carman

Read the latest Gospel Music News in SGNScoops Magazine online HERE

Keep praying for Frogene Normand, mother of Rusty and Chris Golden

Frogene Normand, mother of Rusty, Craig, and Chris Golden

Friends of SGNScoops will remember that prayers were requested for Frogene Normand, mother of Rusty, Craig, and Chris Golden when she was diagnosed with cancer. 

Chris Golden posted the following on September 12, 2019:

One month ago today after weeks of nausea and pain, Mom went to the Emergency room where they found a mass in her pancreas which was blocking her biliary duct. She went by ambulance from Brewton, AL to Pensacola, FL to have more tests and a stent put in. It was about a week later after a ERCP and biopsy, the specialist determined the obstruction was adenocarcinoma… Pancreatic Cancer.

Frogene Normand and son Chris Golden

She seemed to do a little better over the next few days and was trying to gain strength to meet with the team at Vanderbilt on Sept. 5. The stent failed and she took a turn for the worse. Severly dehydrayed, she came to Nashville and spent 4 days and 3 nights at Vanderbilt Hospital where they had to put another stent in before meeting with the oncologist and surgeon for a consultation. After a couple of months of pain and suffering and a 4 day hospital stay, she was very weak..so they wanted her to go home (to my house) to rest and gain strength for the next step.

That step will be today. More scans and more labs to find out how aggressive it is and what the next step will be.

I am happy to report that after 7 days, she is up walking, her color is much better, appetite is slowly coming back, and she is hydrated and prayed up. We know many of you are praying earnest prayers. She can feel them. Keep them coming.

It’s all about the next step… and we give Him praise for each small victory.

We will try to update as we have news to share.

July 28, 2019: L2R: Rusty, William Lee, Craig and Chris Golden. Location: Golden Era Station Camp Creek Photo by: Michael Jenkins Photos

Chris had further news on September 13, 2019:

Yesterday Rusty and I took Mom to Vanderbilt for another round of scans and labs and to meet with the Chief surgeon of the pancreatic team. After reviewing the scans he advised against doing surgery because of where the tumor is located, a little more than 180 degrees around the portal vein and also the vena cava. He was afraid he would not be able to get it all, and said if it were his mother, he would not do the surgery. We appreciate his honesty and care. So, we move on to the next step…meeting with the oncologist Monday afternoon to discuss other options.

Rusty Golden with mom Frogene Normand

I checked my phone and Mom had walked over a half mile yesterday which might as well been a marathon considering her condition for the last few weeks. On the way home we talked about the old Nashville restaurant Ireland’s So we had steak and bisquits for supper. Although she has lost a lot of weight, she is stronger than she has been, and is prayed up. Our father came by last night after an Opry show, and they had a great visit till after midnight. This morning we enjoyed the fresh pear preserves Aunt Lanette sent.

We appreciate all the kind cards and messages, and especially the prayers. Keep them coming.

#teamfrogene

Keep informed on Chris Golden HERE

And Rusty Golden HERE

The Lesters need prayer

The Lesters

The Lesters have requested prayer for Brian’s wife, Sandra. See this partial note from their Lestergram:

For more of the letter from the Lesters, go to their Facebook page HERE.

Please join us in prayer for Sandra Lester.

Read the May SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE

Please pray for Gary Dillard, formerly of the Kingsmen Quartet

Greg Fox and Gary Dillard circa. 1980s with the Kingsmen Quartet

Many of you will know the name of Gary Dillard.

Gary Dillard with the Kingsmen 1984

Gary was the strings master of the mighty Kingsmen Quartet for many years, from 1974 to 1992.

From From steel guitar to banjo to harmonica, Gary Dillard is the ultimate instrumentalist. He left the Kingsmen to return to college, eventually earning his Master’s. Gary is a registered respiratory therapist, registered polysomnographer (sleep specialist) and a neonatal/pediatric specialist in respiratory. He and his wife Judy make their home in western North Carolina.

Today, Gary posted some news on his Facebook page that he is in need of prayer from all believing Christians:

“I see so people on FB asking for prayers, etc, and I promise I do pray for you. Well, it’s my turn now.

“I keep my personal life private.

Gary and Judy Dillard

“I am currently in the hospital recovering from surgery in which a very large tumor was removed from my colon, as well as 2 feet of colon. Bottom line….I have stage 4 colon cancer. I will start chemo soon after this healing begins.

“Plz keep me and Judy Averette Dillard in your prayers and I will keep you informed.

“Love to each of you.

“Garyd”

Please follow Gary on his Facebook page here.

Gary and Judy, we at SGNScoops are praying for you.

Remembering Deborah Peek: friend, artist, cancer fighter

Deborah Peek released “Blessed”

April is Daffodil Month here in Canada, a promotion by the Canadian Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research.

As we raise awareness of this disease, we are sharing some thoughts from ReJeana Leeth, artist, from Crossville, Alabama. Leeth sings with her group, New Grace. Leeth was very close to Deborah Peek who passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the age of 52.

Deborah Peek was an awesome friend. She loved everyone. She never met a stranger. She was always giving. She enjoyed life to the fullest.

Her mom is in the nursing home. Peek went every day and fed her and sang to all the residents there. She always made sure her mom was taken care of and all her great friends as well.

If someone needed help, she was there, (even) doing a benefit to help people in need.

When she found out she had cancer the first time, she was a fighter. Her family stood behind her during her surgery and her treatments. She told me she wasn’t scared to die if God didn’t heal her the first time. She was ready to go. But she beat it.

God gave her several more years to fight and enjoy life.

The second time cancer came back, she told me, “God’s got this. I am a winner either way, if I go or if I stay. I trust God completely.”

Deborah and Chris Peek

She never got down; she was a go-getter. She worked as long as she could. She loved her job selling insurance because she said it was a ministry. Se got to witness to folks in their homes and see folks saved.

She loved to sing and paint. She would have friends or family that called her when they found out she could paint. She loved redoing old houses; brightening them up with beautiful, bright colors. She blessed so many with that talent.

Peek had released songs to radio and did very well on the charts. Her last song she did was titled “Blessed.” And that she was. She had a beautiful family: her husband and four children and seven grandchildren. She loved getting out and going to games and to the park with her family.

She was always focused on God to get her through her days and nights. She trusted him with all her heart. Everything she went through she said, “God’s got it.”

She never lost her hope of being healed. Now she is healed and has a brand new, glorified body with Jesus and some of her family, running the streets of gold with no more cancer.

Deborah will be missed but never forgotten, for what a great life she left behind for her family and friends to remember. She also sang for us at Carliles Restaurant in Scottsboro, when we have the gospel night each month. She enjoyed singing there and the great buffet we all took part in, and then we couldn’t sing after we ate. But that’s what gospel singers do.

Deborah Peek

Deborah has traveled many miles in different areas for God; as the doors opened, she walked through them. She saw many souls come to the Lord and told of many miracles that she saw. If you knew Deborah, it was all about the Lord not about her.

Deborah Peek will be missed.

Special thanks to ReJeana Leeth for sharing her memories of Deborah.

Official Obituary of Deborah (Avans) Peek

Deborah Avans Peek, age 52 of Section, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at her residence. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 2 p.m., at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Dr. Roger Mardis officiating. Burial will follow in Skyline Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 15, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Mrs. Peek is survived by her husband, Chris Peek; sons, Adam Trotman and Michael Peek; stepson, Cruze Peek; daughters, Tabitha Clark and Erica Shepherd (Jason); grandsons, Brady Clark, Aiden Clark, Kendrick McAnally and Ashton Trotman; granddaughters, Pruedence Shepherd, Harmony Shepherd and Gracelynn Martin and mother, Mae Avans.

Her father, James Avans, preceded her in death. (http://www.theclarion.org/index.php/news/obituaries/638-deborah-peek, April 30, 2018.)

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Southern Gospel Sweethearts: Kari Gooch of Karen Peck and New River

Kari Gooch of Karen Peck and New River

Cancer. If a word could physically punch you in the gut and knock the wind right out of you, that one would. It’s a word that sends shivers down your spine and pierces fear right to the heart. It knows no limits and holds back none of its wrath. It is no respecter of gender, age, race or status. Even now, as you read these words, at least one person will come to your mind that you know who has battled this relentless disease. It’s a word that you wouldn’t wish for your worst enemy, and you especially wouldn’t want for your dearest loved one.

In 2015, the reality of that dreaded word hit home in the Gooch household. Kari Gooch of Karen Peck and New River explains how that one of her family’s hardest trials became one of its greatest triumphs.

February of 2015 was the month that the Gooch family found out that Rickey Gooch, Kari’s dad, had cancer.

“After a neck scan, two biopsies, a CT scan and a PET scan, Rickey was diagnosed with squamous carcinoma, a type of cancer” (K.P. Gooch, 2015, https://www.sgnscoops.com/an-open-letter-from-karen-peck-gooch/). In an open letter to KPNR

Rickey and Karen Peck Gooch

followers, Karen Peck said, “Thank the Lord,” as they were relieved to find out the cancer was “confined to Rickey’s left tonsil area and had not spread anywhere else within his body.”  In that same letter, Karen explained the difficulty of watching her husband suffer through all of his symptoms. It was certainly a trying time for all of them, including Kari’s older brother Matthew.

Read more »

Jimmy and Liz McMillan in need of prayer

Ashli, daughter of Jimmy McMillan

Last week, we told you about Jimmy McMillan’s daughter Ashli nearing the end of her fight with cancer.

Yesterday, Jimmy wrote: “At 5:45 on Sunday October 16th I sat in a quiet, dimly lit room holding my daughter Ashli’s hand and stroking her face when she took her last breath. In that moment I watched the pained look that had gripped her face for the last few weeks be wiped away by one of total peace. I knew that my baby who had been so wracked with pain, from the ravages of cancer had received her ultimate healing and was looking on the face of Jesus.

I’ve walked a lot of hard roads and experienced a lot of pain in my life, but let me tell you nothing I’ve ever faced compares to this. I catch myself just trying to breath when I think about the reality of the situation, and begging to wake up from a terrible dream. Even through all of this I know God has a perfect plan, today I would sure like a peek at its entirety so this could make a little sense. For now I will stand in faith knowing all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.

McMillan and Life: Jimmy and Liz McMillan

Many of you have sent message of love and encouragement and I can’t tell you how much they mean. Just knowing that people are thinking of and praying for us is an huge comfort. If I don’t get the chance to answer each of you please take this as my thank you.

Please keep my son in law and grandson in your prayers as well. No one thinks they will be a widower single father at 35 but he is. Pray that God will give him the wisdom to make good decisions for his life and his son’s.

There was some confusion on the funeral schedule but these are the correct dates and times.

Spurlin Funeral Home
1782 Lexington rd
Lancaster, KY 40444

Visitation
Monday October 17
5-8pm public

Visitation
Tuesday October 18
10-1 visitation
1pm Funeral

Burial
Wilmore Cemetery
Wilmore, KY

You can leave messages of condolence on Jimmy’s Facebook page here.

SGNScoops extends their heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Jimmy, Liz and their whole family.

Joey+Rory: Some Things Are Meant To Be

Joey+Rory and friends

Rory shares another chapter in the story of the couples’ journey through marriage, music and the medical mysteries of cancer.

Rory shares: “Some things are meant to be. They’re bigger than us. Bigger than coincidence.
And the only way you can explain them is…
God.”

Read more here.

Joey+Rory need our continued prayers. Please remember them today.