The Mobile-based, internationally acclaimed contemporary Christian music group “Truth” and its founder, Roger Breland, were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association Oct. 30 in Franklin, Tenn.
Breland, who serves as a member of the University of Mobile board of trustees and is a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, was inducted along with The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, Kingsmen Quartet, Shirley Caesar, Robert T. “Bob” MacKenzie, Edwin Hawkins Singers and Fisk Jubilee Singers.
“I was stunned when the call came,” Breland said.
“I think the honor is due to the wonderful people who have traveled with me over these 29 years. They are the best,” he said. “Linda (my wife) and I are so grateful for the thousands of concerts and millions of miles. Who would have thought after almost three decades that God would still be allowing me to do this. I am deeply humbled and feel greatly privileged.” The Brelands founded the group in 1971.
Breland, a 1961 graduate of Vigor High School and 1964 graduate of Troy State University, started his career as a music minister at First Baptist Church, Opp, and later at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile.
In 1971 he left the comfort of his successful church position and began a journey that would later touch 22 nations across millions of miles.
“Roger Breland caught a glimpse of how God might use contemporary Christian music to touch young and old for Jesus Christ,” said Greg Golden, operations manager for Truth. “He recruited 15 young adults in the spring of that year, set out in some station wagons and a delivery truck to sing and minister wherever they were invited, and never looked back.” The ministry was named “Truth.”
Breland said success came slowly, “but God blessed the faithfulness of that young troupe of singers, instrumentalists and technicians.”
Invitations to sing finally began to stream in, along with a recording contract.
Nearly three decades later, Truth has recorded more than 50 top-selling albums, with hundreds of thousands sold worldwide.
Truth performs more than 260 concerts a year and has performed for more than 10 million people in more than 8,000 concerts in all 50 states and 22 nations.
Truth recently returned from a 17-day trip to the Philippines and Hong King, witnessing more than 2,300 commitments to Christ in 26 concerts, Golden said.
The composition of Truth has changed throughout the years, as members perform for several years, gain experience and success, then enter church vocations and music industry positions across America.
Many of those young people have been UM students.
Greg Eubanks, associate pastor and minister of music for the past 17 years at First Baptist Church, Monroeville, toured with Truth as a trombonist for 18 months in 1972–73. “Two great things happened as a result,” he said. “I met my wife, Sherri, who was a singer in TRUTH, and God used that time to speak to me about what He wanted in my life. It was an incredible experience to be in churches night after night.”
“This is certainly a well-deserved honor, and the entire University of Mobile family is delighted to see Roger Breland and Truth receive the recognition they so richly deserve,” said UM President Mark Foley.
“His leadership in the field of contemporary Christian music continues to be an inspiration to our students, as well as to people throughout the world,” Foley said.
The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 114 members since inception.
Selection into the Hall of Fame is made by the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame electorate, who each have at least 10 years in the gospel music field. (UM)
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