Albertville churches hold combined patriotic event

Three Marshall Baptist Association churches — First Baptist, The Fellowship and Mount Calvary Baptist, all in Albertville — combined their choirs to present “The Torch is Passed,” a patriotic musical celebration June 24–25. 
   
The musical celebrated the nation’s history and admonished Christians to pass on their faith to the next generation, church leaders said.
   
It all started in February 2006, said Tim Hall, minister of music at First, Albertville. 
   
“Mike Foust, minister of music at The Fellowship, and I were discussing our Easter and summer plans for our respective churches. We soon realized we had plans for the same musical on the same weekend in June.” 
   
Hall offered to change his plans so as not to give the perception of competition.
   
“Mike called a few days later and asked about the possibility of combining our choirs for the presentation,” he said. 
   
After discussion with their pastors and praying, they decided to do it. 
   
A week or so later, they felt impressed to ask Al Bailey, minister of music at Mount Calvary, if his choir would like to participate in the production.
   
Each church prepared individually for the musical before combining the choirs for three additional rehearsals, Hall said. 
   
There were two presentations — an evening show June 24 and a matinee June 25, both at Albertville Elementary School’s cafeteria. 
   
A 16-piece orchestra and a PowerPoint presentation accompanied the 120-voice choir.
   
“The Torch is Passed” is a collection of songs and narration that remind Christians of their responsibility to pass on their faith using the metaphor of a relay race. 
   
The production included several soloists, ensembles and a children’s choir. The ministers of music took turns directing the choir and orchestra. 
   
The salute to the armed forces brought a standing ovation, as did the final number.
   
“The musical was meant to bring unity to the community,” Bailey said. “It was a growing experience for our choir and encouraged them — not to mention it was really fun.” 
   
He said he hopes to see the event grow even further in the future.
   
“It was an opportunity to have all our churches come together to do something for the community,” Foust said. 
   
“The musical was biblically based and pointed to loyalty to God and country.”