Grace Covenant Worship Center, Birmingham, is a special place, according to Barry Cosper, director of missions for Bessemer Baptist Association.
Grace Covenant — along with two other churches in the area — came under Bessemer Association’s watch care in October 2014, meaning they’re under review for membership within the association. This October the association will vote on membership for the churches currently under watch care.
“Grace Covenant Worship Center is a remarkable church that is highly celebrative in its worship and service to God,” Cosper said. “The worship atmosphere is so holy. The singing and preaching is an experience that brings the people into an awareness of God’s presence in their midst.”
Behind some of that powerful worship music is Marlon Spears, the church’s keyboard and piano player. But there’s something special about Spears as well — he’s completely blind.
Spears started playing piano in the early 90s when he was in high school. Initially he was largely self-taught and his favorite styles of music included jazz, gospel and R&B. He later earned a music technology degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Grace Covenant is the second church he’s played for as a staff member, and he said he loves the church’s “family atmosphere.”
“I’ve played for lots of different churches for different events and Grace is just a really great church,” Spears said. “They’re just doing really great things in the community and the praise and worship style of music they use is what I enjoy playing, so it’s a good fit.”
Cosper said Grace Covenant feels the same way about Spears — that he’s a perfect fit for the church.
“Marlon is such an outstanding pianist and his love for the Lord is contagious,” Cosper said. “His talent is amazing and he plays each Sunday for the glory of God.”
Michael Frazier, pastor of Grace Covenant, said his church’s congregation is thankful for both Spears’ talent as well as his personality.
“The congregation enjoys Marlon’s playing as well as his sense of humor,” Frazier said. “Marlon is not just a church musician, he is a member of Grace Covenant. He participates in continued Christian education courses as well as ministry training.”
And Spears said he’s proud to be a part of such a loving church community.
“I like watching the way they handle people in the community,” Spears said. “Grace really goes out and checks on people. They don’t stay in their four walls. Pastor Frazier is really inspiring by the way he handles people and deals with people.”
No slowing down
In addition to playing for Grace Covenant, Spears provides music for events like weddings, private engagements, studio work and more. Although he’s been blind since birth, Spears said his disability has never slowed him down and he largely credits his family for his positive attitude.
Share with others: