Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

The Inspirations In Savannah, Tennessee Tonight!

From Pastor Josh Franks:

Join us Tonight!
FREE Homemade Ice Cream will be served following the service!
#peoplestabernacle

Sweetheart Stories: Jack and Vonda Armstrong

Jack and Vonda Armstrong

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and we are happy to present another love story in our series of Sweetheart Stories. For many years, the gospel music community had known Vonda Easley as the vivacious blonde southern belle with a big smile and country drawl. However, behind the smile was a lifetime of challenges and mountains that she had overcome. She was a single mom with two grown children, who had their own families and lives. Vonda is hard-working and generous, humorous and full of faith in a God who cares. Yet, she realized a couple of years ago that something was missing. Here’s Vonda to tell her story:

I must have said it over a thousand times, “It just isn’t in the cards for me to find someone that loves me enough to let me be me.” And I usually followed that statement up with, “They would want me to leave my home, and I will not ever do that.”

I met Jack Armstrong at a Bill Bailey Event in Bonifay, Florida. I remember thinking that he was one of the friendliest people I had ever met, but the last thing I was looking for at a gospel concert was romance. I was there to hear my kids, Josh and Ashley Franks, sing and cover the event for SGNScoops Magazine. However, my daughter and Penny Shelnut (Scoot’s wife) were at Ashley’s booth, already playing matchmaker. When they suggested we go out to eat after the concert, I was quick to let Ashley know that I knew what they were doing, and I was not interested. I told her there was something messed up with your child having to get you a date!

As the concert went on, Jack talked to me a little about radio promotion, and when I got home, he called and hired Hey Ya’ll Media, my radio promotions company, to work radio for his group, The Bibletones. (I often tease him that he married me so he wouldn’t have to pay me anymore.)

I believe that God set up a divine appointment for me that night to meet Jack. It still amazes me today how much he is like my Daddy. I felt safe when I was with my Dad, and I feel safe when I am with Jack. He makes me want to be a better person, and he supports me in all that I do.

True Love is unconditional. There are no expectations set. To love unconditional is difficult, and most people aren’t good at that. But true love really does love without trying to change the other person. I love you, Jack Armstrong. Thank you for loving me and letting me be me. And by the way, Home is wherever you are…….. V

Vonda and Jack Armstrong, III,  were married on October 21, 2018, at her daughter’s church, People’s Tabernacle Church, Savannah, Tennessee, and officiated by her son-in-law, Josh Franks. Standing up with the couple were Vonda’s grandchildren, Priscilla and Eli Franks. The couple fits together like hand-in-glove and Jack’s laidback personality complements Vonda’s vivacity.

Do you have a Sweetheart Story to share? Write to me at lorraine@sgnscoops.com.

Be sure to let everyone you love know how much you care this Valentine’s Day. And remember, God loved you enough to send Jesus Christ, his only son, to die on a cross so that he might have a relationship with you. Jesus went willingly because he knew it was the only way to bring you into his love. Please accept that love today. Want to know more? Write to me!

Eli Franks, Jack Armstrong, Vonda Easley Armstrong, Priscilla Franks

Top Row: Josh and Ashley Franks
Bottom Row: Eli Franks, Jack Armstrong, Vonda Easley Armstrong, Priscilla Franks

Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2019 begins Oct 27

Creekside 2019

Family entertainment and outdoor music return to the Smoky Mountain Convention Center at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2019. From Monday through Thursday, October 28 – 31, 2019, Creekside presents daytime and evening concerts, with artists such as 11th Hour, Gerald Crabb, the Hyssongs, the Down East Boys, the Williamsons, the Browders, Bill Bailey, Josh Franks, Eagles Wings, and many more.

Creekside’s new event, Christian Country at the Creek, will be held Wednesday and Thursday at Mill Creek on Florence Drive. Every afternoon from Monday through Thursday, there will be free outdoor concerts at Singing on the Square, with free dinners to the first 100 people. Thursday night will host a special Trick or Treat at the Creek, with free, safe fun for families from Pigeon Forge.

More about Creekside Gospel Music Convention:

WWW.CREEKSIDEGOSPELMUSICCONVENTION.COM
events@sgnscoops.com​
#creekside2019
#wearefamily

For more Gospel music features, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

Download SGNScoops Magazine In PDF Here

Find SGNScoops Magazine On Facebook Here

Listen To Todays Gospel Music Here

Hey Pastor Josh Franks, What is The Message?

We are all about to be handed something very special , a “brand, spanking-new” New Year. What we do with it is really up to us.

Many churches are preparing for their New Years services. We asked a few pastors what they believe the message for 2019 is. 

Here is what Josh Franks, Pastor of People’s Tabernacle Church in Savannah, Tennessee had to say.

‘Go Forth, in Jesus Name!’ Our mission should evermore be to go forth and reach this world for Christ. Here at People’s Tabernacle in Savannah, Tn each Sunday at 10:30am and 6:00pm and on Tuesday’s at 7:00pm, we are preparing for our greatest year  in our church’s  history as we are preaching Christ and Him crucified. The only message that will change lives. As we allow the message to change our lives, we are taking what we are learning and going forth to share with others of JESUS in 2019!

“25 Days of Sharing”- Josh Franks

December is a time for sharing. At Christmas, we (Christians) celebrate The Greatest Gift of All, Jesus Christ.

Over the next few weeks we will be talking with many industry leaders, artists, pastors, promoters, etc. and asking them questions.  They will “share” the answer to the question in 10 seconds or less. We are asking for their best advice on many different topics.

Question #7 goes to Josh Franks. Josh is the Pastor of People’s Tabernacle in Savannah, Tennessee. He and his wife Ashley have a dynamic singing ministry as well. 

Josh, recently you were one of the emcees at the National Quartet Convention.

In 10 seconds or less can you tell us some qualities of a good emcee?

Sunday Lineup at WPIL 91.7, Heflin, Alabama

Perhaps you are away from home or at home sick today an unable to attend church.

WPIL in Heflin, Alabama has a wonderful lineup of preaching and would like to invite you to listen.

9 am- Josh Franks

11 am- First Baptist Church of White Plains

12 pm- East Heflin Baptist

2 pm – Splashes of Joy Ladies Ministry

All times are CST.

For information on having your church added to the lineup, call 256-463-4226.

To tune in to the preaching Now: Click HERE

Josh Franks Inducted Into The Vaughan Walk Of Fame

Josh Franks Was Inducted Into The Vaughan Walk Of Fame

From Ashley Franks Facebook:
Surprise! Josh was inducted into the Vaughan Walk of Fame today. Lawrenceburg has been so good to us, and we are grateful!

Also inducted today was Adger Pace.
Congratulations to Josh and Adger from all of us at SGNScoops.

Congrats Josh from all of us at SGNScoops.

Find Southern Gospel News HERE

Major Announcement from Pastor Bill Bailey & Josh Franks!

Major Announcement from Pastor Bill Bailey & Josh Franks!

Bill Bailey and Josh Franks are pleased to announce they are bringing a new Gospel Music event to Huntington, West Virginia this summer!
            “West Virginia Sings the Gospel!” will be held Friday-Saturday, August 12-13, 2016 at the Christ Temple Church in Huntington, WV.  This two-day event will feature many of Gospel Music’s top artists.

Friday, August 12^th, 7pm – Guy Penrod, Isaacs, Triumphant Quartet,
Brian Free & Assurance, Josh & Ashley Franks

Saturday, August 13^th, 6pm – Goodman Revival, Kingsmen, Gold City,
Karen Peck & New River, Guardians

What makes this event so unique is that there are no tickets being sold!  Just a $15 donation per person will be requested at the door each night, and a love offering will be received.  There are many hotels in the Huntington area, close to the church.

Some may ask, why West Virginia?  Pastor Bill Bailey shares, “We are excited to bring a quality southern gospel event to an area so rich in gospel music history.  There are so many fans and supporters of gospel music in this part of the country, and it only seemed natural to add this event to our concert schedule.”

“West Virginia Sings the Gospel” is part of a series of concert events presented by Bill Bailey and Josh Franks.  Other events include “Mobile Sings the Gospel” (Mobile, AL); Louisiana Sings the Gospel (Oak Grove, LA); and “Jackson Sings the Gospel” (Jackson, TN).  Both Bailey and Franks continue to promote their own individual concerts throughout the year; including Bailey’s “Winter Gospel Music Convention” in Palmetto, FL, and Franks’ “James D. Vaughan Quartet Festival” in Lawrenceburg, TN.

  What’s on the horizon?  Josh Franks responds, “We are looking into other areas and venues for future development.  We believe that the future for southern gospel music is bright, and we are excited to help present that across the country!”

For more information, call (941) 756-6942, or log onto http://www.billbaileyconcerts.com or http://www.joshandashleyfranks.com.

Jackson Sings The Gospel!

Tickets for “Jackson Sings the Gospel” go on sale TODAY – Tuesday, February 23rd at 8am cst (9am est)!!! This is one of the summer’s top gospel music events – four days and six concerts! Please help spread the word by sharing this status.

What America Wants To Know About Josh and Ashley Franks

Josh and Ashley Franks

By Rob Patz

Josh and Ashley Franks both grew up in the church and with Gospel music in their home. Josh was traveling as a soloist and an evangelist when he met Ashley who sang with her mother in Hope’s Journey in 2006. They were married in 2007 and now have two children, Priscilla and Joshua. Since their marriage they have been traveling and singing as a duet as well as promoting several Gospel concert events throughout the year.

I’m glad this busy couple paused for a moment to answer my ten questions!

Rob: Brand New Single: “I’ve Not Seen A Mountain”…Does this song have a personal story or meaning for you?

Josh: I think back to Myrtle Beach two years ago when Priscilla was rushed to the head trauma facility in Charleston after she suffered a fall in the convention center during Singing in the Sun. That was a mountain we surely had no strength to move, but God stepped on the scene and moved it for us!

Ashley: This is one of those songs that can speak to any person at any point in their life. Personally, there has never been a mountain that I have faced in my life that God did not move for me. I am so honored to have the privilege of delivering this song to people night after night.

Rob: What is the best thing about having kids? What is something you could do without?

Ashley: The very best thing about having my kids is that there are two people on earth who think I am the best at everything. The love that a child has for its parent is comparable to nothing else. I could, however, do without the thousand loads of laundry I wash each week.

Josh: The best thing is watching them grow and learn. I’m amazed! I could do without the mounds of toys that are taking over our home.

Rob: What three things would you each take to a desert island?

Josh: 1. My Bible! 2. My ipod! [That’s all Josh needs!]

Ashley: The first thing I would want to take is my Bible. The second thing is a notepad and I guess number 3 would have to be a pen. I love to write everything! Feelings, lyrics, whatever. I just love to write!

Rob: What song do you each wish you had sung and charted first?

Ashley: Definitely “Four Days Late”!

Josh: “God on the Mountain”

Rob: What song do you each wish you had written?

Josh: “Amazing Grace”

Ashley: “Through The Fire.” That song defines my life; I feel like it came right from my own heart! Gerald Crabb is an excellent writer!

Rob: There are a lot of awful things happening in the world right now. What advice do you have for people who can’t understand why God would allow them to happen?

Ashley: My mom and I actually just finished a new song about this very thing. We don’t need to understand why God does or doesn’t do the things that we think He should do. We just need to trust that He knows more than we do.

Josh: I would tell them to keep holding on and fighting the good fight of faith. Unfortunately I don’t believe it is scriptural that things will get better, but God will protect His children.

Rob: Do each of you have a favorite Bible character? Who and why?

Josh: The Apostle Paul. He preached Jesus with boldness and told it like it was!

Ashley: I love the story of Elijah and Elisha. A true example of how we, in this generation, should have an even larger burden than the last generation to do God’s work. The elders paved the way and it’s our job to continue reaching people for Christ!

Rob: What is your favorite thing to do with your children at Easter?

Ashley: This year Priscilla is old enough to understand when you teach her about Jesus. She is learning already about the Cross and Resurrection. I love to talk with her about the Bible.

Josh: Celebrate the Resurrection in church, of course!

Rob: What is (each of) your favorite Easter song?

Josh: ‘There Rose A Lamb.”

Ashley: “He’s Alive” by the Talley Trio.

Rob: What are some new and cool things happening for you this coming year?

Ashley: God has opened many new doors for us in 2014. We are very excited about having a very busy schedule.  A couple things we are excited about: being included on the Friday night program at the Singing in the Sun. We are also going to be appearing on Gerald Crabb’s Gospel Fest this August. For complete details, see  www.joshandashleyfranks.comhttp://www.joshandashleyfranks.com/

http://www.joshandashleyfranks.com/

Thanks to Ashley and Josh Franks for answering our questions and letting us in on their lives and their ministry. Be sure to visit their website and their schedule to find out when they will be appearing near you. Support this lovely family and their ministry as they reach the world for Jesus!

First published by SGN Scoops in April 2014. Written by Rob Patz, Publisher of SGN Scoops.

For current SGN Scoops issues visit http://www.sgnscoops.com/