Music minister making mark at Big Hurricane

The choir members at Big Hurricane Baptist in Brookwood fondly remember the first Wednesday night two years ago when Mark Tucker, a University of Alabama student, came to their church.
   
“Mark had the biggest smile, and he brought the practice music in his school backpack,” said choir member Billie Ruth Pumphrey. “We knew by the end of the practice session that he was the one  God had sent to direct our choir.”
   
Big Hurricane Baptist is a traditional church where the congregation assembles in the same sanctuary it built in 1831.
   
Church members said there has been a new vision of growth that began in the music department thanks to Tucker which has spread throughout the church.
   
The choir had been without a director for eight months when Tucker accepted the position of choir director.
   
Two years later, the Russellville native has made a dynamic spiritual impact through his music ministry for all ages by integrating praise and worship music into the traditional worship service.  
   
“Blending the worship music was not an agenda with me or something I was seeking to do,” Tucker said.
   
“I am a firm believer that we can never change our message, but our methods in which we give the message can change,” Tucker said. “Music can have a lot to do with that. I want people to worship God, and I feel like praise songs have a place in worship because they are simple and theologically correct.”
   
According to studies by Hartford Seminary, congregations that seek to change their style of worship often have to pay a price in conflict. Stancil Clements, pastor at Big Hurricane, said that this has not been the case at his church.
   
“Mark is dedicated to the Lord, and he does a wonderful job,” Clements said. “The new praise and worship songs have worked well in the worship service. Mark is only 24 years old, but he is remarkably settled and sincere. He has the ability to work with all ages, and he lets the Spirit of the Lord direct him.”
   
Although Tucker was already a full-time student and choir director, he also volunteered to be the youth team coordinator. 
   
Without a youth pastor, the youth group had dwindled to just four students when Tucker took on the additional responsibility. Amy Michaels and Amber Twinn were two of those four and are still active in the group that now has more than 25 members.
   
“Mark always has my attention,” Michaels said. “He has taught us how to grow as Christians, and he introduced us to the praise and worship music. The music is one of my favorite ways to praise the Lord.”
   
Twinn believes Tucker’s enthusiastic attitude has helped the youth group grow. “He can relate to us, and he is always positive and cheerful,” Twinn said.
   
“You can never tell when Mark has had a bad day. He always has a smile, and he is a great role model.”
   
Twinn, a flutist, is also a member of the instrumental ensemble that Tucker has formed from the youth group.
   
Alex Sellers, another member of Big Hurricane’s youth group, was saved two years ago.  
   
“Mark starts each session with praise and worship music,” Sellers said. “It helps to free our minds of everyday things, and then we can focus on worship. After the music, he introduces our Bible lesson, and we discuss how the lesson applies to our home and school life.
   
“Mark teaches something he calls absolute truth,” Sellers said. “I can call Mark anytime with my problems, and my entire church family has made me feel welcome.”
   
Tucker attributes his conviction to teach absolute truth to inspiration from internationally known speaker Josh McDowell.
   
“I teach the youth that the Bible is free of error, concrete and perfect,” Tucker said.
   
“It is important for them to know that the Bible is good for all times and all purposes and it is not subject to change,” Tucker added. “Even the songs we sing must be true to the gospel.”
   
The youth began performing the praise songs they learned from Tucker in church services and the music was well received by the congregation.
   
Now the ushers routinely distribute the praise music sheets so the congregation can join in.
   
Tucker gives credit to the other youth team coordinators for the revitalization of the group.
   
“Jackie Michaels drives the church van, and it is always packed,” he said. “The entire church has helped.”
   
Tucker grew up singing with his family at Calvary Baptist Church, Russellville, but music ministry was not his original career choice. “I was a pre-medical student, and had plans to become a doctor,” he said. “Reaching a low point in my life, I couldn’t do anything but ask God to help me back to the center of His will,” Tucker said.
   
“God lifted me up and gave me the passion for music, and everything has changed from my school life to my church life,” he said.
   
“After graduation in May, I want to serve God in full-time music ministry, and eventually I want to go to seminary.”