Randy Travis: "Music Ministry... Is that what you call what I'm doin'?" Written by David Lingner
"Listening and experiencing Randy's performance was certainly all I had expected and more... but little did I expect that I would be impacted by something in a more profound way..." We had been waiting for this day for a month. Being big Randy Travis fans, my family and I arrived at concert two hours before they opened doors to let folks in... making sure we would get primo seats. Of course we were in first dozen folks to get there. (This is a common Lingner practice as we were first folks at Super Bowl XXVI when my brother Adam was playing in it.) I have always liked Randy, but in past year this "liking" has turned into a full fledged admiration for him as he now uses his gifts for Lord. I've plum wore out his last two CD's "Rise and Shine" and "Worship and Faith." You have to understand that my family all plays traditional instruments. I play banjo, guitar, harmonica, a little mandolin and just about anything with strings on it. (I even "fiddle" around a little.) My oldest daughter Laura(11)plays accordian and a little fiddle, my second daughter Summer(10) plays fiddle and a little mandolin, my son Christian(8) plays mandolin and a little banjo, my son Teddy(6) just picked up dobro, Andrew(4) plays shaker... and my one year old Nathan just kinda bounces up and down while we play. We play old-time traditional tunes and hymns, thus our appreciation for Randy Travis' accoustic music, and down home country style. They let us into concert about an hour before show time. We talked amongst ourselves, constantly discussing our excitement at opportunity to hear and see Randy sing. Then highly anticipated moment finally arrived. Randy came out, picked up his jumbo body accoustic and began to play and sing. He sounds just as good in concert as he does on his recording... his smooth voice sliding easily from bass register to tenor range... in that way only Randy Travis can do it. I couldn't believe it, here I was watching Randy Travis in an intimate setting, almost like he was in my living room.
| | Outdoor Evangelism...Hosting a successful wild game feed at your church.Written by David Lingner
"What started out as an event, has turned into a full fledged ministry of Southeast Christian Church... We knew this was going to be successful... but quite frankly, leaders of Church were amazed at how many men have come out of woodwork and become involved.” Ralph Swallows, Southeast Christian Church.... Louisville, KY Recently I was speaking with Steve Chapman, author of several Christianbooks for men and outdoors. We were discussing ways to use outdoors to reach men, and our conversation turned to “Wild Game Feed” events. Steve suggested I speak with Ralph Swallows and outdoor men's ministry team from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY who have initiated and directed a very successful ministry for last four years... “Our goal was to get the... “come to church for an hour and go home guy”, engaged." Stated passionate Swallows. “We knew this church was full of men that had so much to offer... we just needed a vehicle to bring them to surface.” (Sounds a little like hunting to me...) Ralph got idea to do a Wild Game Feed at his church. "We began networking, rounding up a “core group” of outdoorsmen to head this thing up. We asked men to commit to donating game, and to spread word around town." Ralph said. (The men agreed... besides, this gave them perfect “spiritual” ammo they needed for their wives to let them go out hunting.) The results.. 460 men came to dinner first year, 700 second year, year three 900, and they are shooting for 1500+ this year. Consider this... 30-40% of men attending are not affiliated with Church. What have they done to make this event such a success? First, they make a strong effort to be sure guests are made to feel welcome. Chris Hadley, one of core group members, co-ordinates hospitality greeters and ushers. “We do our best to communicate love of Lord to every man who comes.” Hadley said. In addition to great feast, they also provide booths for organizations like, Hunters for Hungry, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, etc. Church member Roger LaPointe heads up community relations aspect of game feed, promoting community support and involvement. “We contact local retailers asking them to donate giveaways we present at end of program... That keeps men holding on till end.” LaPointe added.
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