After twenty years of GOD giving us a vision for "Singing Evangelism", it is starting to come about! Back then, we didn't know what to call the vision, but we knew it was different than just singing and encouraging the saints. Since we were youth we have known GOD had a calling on our lives, but we didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle. Here is the short version; the long version could fill a book of GOD doing so much in our lives over the years.

Shortly after Mary Ann and I were married back in 1983 we started buying equipment and "pushing" the vision to come about. We both had been writing songs for years and so it made sense to explore opportunities to minister. Some opportunities happened but the doors never really opened wide, but whenever we ministered GOD always moved.  In looking back I see that we were ahead of GOD's timing for HE needed to mature us and refine us in many ways. We sold most of the music equipment, worked on getting out of debt, and put the ministry on the "back burner". Then children started coming along... <grin> Jasmine in 1988, Josiah in 1990, and Kerisa in 1992. Then in 1993, we thought this is it! Our church sensed the calling on us, blessed us, and sent us out to minister in other churches. But like before things just did not feel right and only a few doors opened up, even though we always saw GOD move whenever we ministered. As our children began to grow we started a children's church at our fellowship and got involved in the music ministry there. We found out that all our children could sing and some could do harmonies extremely well, (they must get this from their mother.) In 1994 Abby was born and our lives became so involved with raising a godly family that I questioned if this vision was from GOD. Then in 1996 I went to a Promise Keepers conference where GOD spoke specifically about our ministry during a prayer huddle through two men I had never met before and who knew nothing about us. It was a powerful testimony of GOD's love, affirmation, and specific calling on our lives, but still the doors didn't open up. Then some hard times hit in the form of baby miscarriages. All the while GOD was still showing us areas of our lives that HE wasn't in control of. It was during this time that Mary Ann and her sisters began a singing group called UnDivided Heart.  Now and then they would use our children to sing a few songs. It was then that GOD spoke through several people confirming our call and reassuring us that HE would bring the next pregnancy safely through. Then in 1998 Rachel Mary-Faith was born, a true journey of bitter-faith as her name implies. One year later at another Promise Keepers conference, I miraculously met up with one of the men who had previously prayed over me back in 1996.  The man reassured me it was the Holy Spirit that had spoke to him and he encouraged me to abandon all and pursue this vision that GOD had given us. In 2001 I left my job with a great severance package and we felt sure this was the time, and waited for GOD to open the doors, but HE didn't.  So I went back into the work force and later in 2001 our six child, Bethany Joy was born. In December of 2001, I landed the job of my dreams - a CIO (Chief Information Officer) commanding, directing, and steering the future of a company.  Months later, I realized the job demanded more of my family time then I wanted to sacrifice.  I started seeking the LORD about this and at the zenith of my career; I sensed GOD say, "NOW, is the time to start working for me!"

I wasn't sure I was hearing right, so I asked, "Now? LORD, I'm at the height of my career. LORD, we have six kids! My wife is home schooling and loving her life at home, (most of the time <grin>). Are you sure LORD?"  But this time unlike all the others, in both our spirits we had this peace that passes all human understanding.  We started doing some ministry in various churches and I kept my job.  But things at work got worse and it seemed very clear GOD was moving me out the door, so I finally gave a thirty day notice and became unemployed November 8th, 2002.  A few days later I interviewed for another job that I was over qualified for and felt I had the job, but a week later I found out that GOD had closed the door.  Over the past months we had sensed deep in our spirits that GOD was asking us to step out in faith and set our face towards full time faith based ministry and HE confirmed it through HIS WORD, HIS People, and Our Prayers. One neat testimony of GOD using HIS WORD for confirmation was back in August when I had been led to Psalm 20 which reads, "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress... may HE send you help from the sanctuary... may HE give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.."  Two months later Mary Ann also was led to that same exact scripture regarding our future not knowing that GOD had done the same for me!  So after this job rejection Mary Ann and I both felt GOD was saying, "Yes, NOW is the time to go into full time ministry living by faith for GOD to provide our next paycheck."   

So as we have stepped out in faith we have received one confirmation after another, and this time doors are opening like never before! GOD's timing is perfect! Over the years HE has given us more pieces of the vision and now we have HIS WORD confirmed, "that as we move out and sing with all our hearts, HE will heal marriages, heal the hurting, and heal the maimed!"

Humbly, we believe we have been called by GOD to minister powerfully as "singing evangelists" in these last days calling the bride of CHRIST to walk closer than ever before to their LORD for the time is near. It is the desire of our hearts to see GOD work mighty signs and wonders through our original songs that cut to the heart and deal with today's issues, therefore "turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the LORD." (Luke 1:17). We pray that our transparent testimonies will show how GOD can use a family in today's world, keeping them strong, intact, and pure. Not that we're perfect and have it all together, because we don't. But what we want to communicate is that GOD IS perfect, HE has it ALL together, and that HE cares for today's families and can help them fulfill their calling - to be the backbone of society!