Music scattered throughout the evangelism conference held January 24-25 at the Dothan Civic Center, added variety and flavor to the meetings.
The program kicked off with presession music by the Alabama Singing Men, under the direction of Thomas Smith, minister of music at Providence Baptist Church, Opelika, and director of choral activities and professor of music at Auburn University. The 40 men provided selections ranging from snappy, foot-tapping rendition of “Redeemed! How I Love to Proclaim It” to the flowing, melodic tunes of “I Will Keep My Eyes on You” to “Joshua Fit the Battle,” which reflected the abrasiveness of the walls of Jericho falling down.
The accompaniment became more elaborate when the choir and orchestra from Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Dothan, took center stage. The snazzy, sequined tops and black skirts of the women and black and white tuxes of the men added an unexpected flair. With energy, the choir, under the direction of Tim Willis, led the congregation in choruses including “What a Mighty God We Serve” and “Great and Mighty.” The music continued at a fast pace as a tambourine shook for “I Shall Wear a Crown.”
The Evans Family provided a Southern gospel flavor with “I Am Bound for the Promised Land” and “Down by the Riverside.” The three part harmony of the now-adult Evans children echoed throughout the back hallway.
With the theme of offering ones self to God, the women of FAITH, an ensemble from Judson College, changed to the mood of the music. The 12-member group lined the aisles as they sang “Come, Holy Spirit,” a worshipful prayer to God. Other selections such as “This Day” told the necessity of offering lives.
In the final session, Rick Stone, a part of the Stone Brothers of Huntsville, and a member of Willowbrook Baptist Church was the featured performer. With trumpet playing tied into vocal solos, Stone glorified God while both entertaining and leading others in worship.
Congregational worship proved to have as much variety as special music did. Songs included the very traditional “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” Choruses exalting the name of Christ included “His Name Is Wonderful,” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” and “Glorify Thy Name.”
In addition to Willis and Rick Evans, Rick Nabors, Dick Thomas-sian and Ray Burdeshaw, director of the worship leadership and church music team at the SBOM, also led in congregational worship. Nabors brought along an eight-voice praise team from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria.
“I think (music) is important,” said Nabors. “It lends itself to prepare everyone for the message. It adds to the service, just like it does in the local church.”
The Alabama Conference of Full-Time Evangelists provided presession music, too. Talents ranged from music evangelist Debbie Hornsby singing “Let’s Have Church” to Brian Wingate’s piano praise medley which included
“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise.” Dean and Gayna Forrest led in “Shout to the Lord.” Accompanied by his wife, Mickey, Emry Keith sang, “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.” Leon Westerhouse closed the the program.
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