Dollywood Mainstays The Kingdom Heirs Announce Summer Tour Plans

JEFF TURNER SR.

After 39 years of consistent performances at Dollywood, The Kingdom Heirs are changing things up in 2025. The group will mark their 40th consecutive year at the Tennessee theme park starting 14 March, but with an unexpected twist – they’ll be absent from the park for most of June and July.

Dennis Murphy of The Kingdom Heirs sees this schedule change as an opportunity. “We’re taking advantage of this situation by booking a limited summer tour which will be taking us to places we’ve been unable to visit for quite some time, especially up north,” Murphy explains.

The group plans to return to once regular stops on their performance circuit.

The Kingdom Heirs, who recently released their latest single “No Better Time” – the title track from their current album – are maintaining their strong connection with Dollywood despite this temporary absence.

For those interested in catching one of their summer performances, Murphy can be contacted directly at Dennis@kingdomheirs.com.

A Song Only the Redeemed Can Sing

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Heaven will be filled with music unlike anything we have ever heard. Revelation 14:3 tells us that the 144,000 will sing a new song before God’s throne, a song that no one else can learn. This special hymn will belong only to those who have been saved, a melody shaped by their redemption.

This song will not be a repeat of earthly hymns but something completely new, a testimony of salvation. Its words will declare the victory of the redeemed, telling the story of how God rescued them. Voices will rise in perfect harmony, filling eternity with endless praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This song will be so beautiful that even the angels will long to join in, but only those who have experienced salvation will be able to sing it. It will be a song of triumph, echoing beyond time itself. What a joy it will be to lift our voices in worship, celebrating forever the love and mercy of God!

As Psalm 96:1 reminds us, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” In heaven, that new song will never end.

Anthem Edition’s New Gospel Album Promises Kept

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

2024 has proven to be a transformative year for Anthem Edition, the gospel quartet formerly known as The Old Paths. Following the success of their 2023 holiday album, Here Comes Christmas, the group has undergone changes, including the addition of tenor singer Cameron Edens, and the release of three singles: “Graveyard,” “Still Under His Feet,” and “Running.” The group’s latest project is Promises Kept and is released through Sonlite Records.

Tim Rackley, founding member and lead singer of Anthem Edition, says this album represents a meaningful milestone for the group. “This album is special to us,” said Rackley. “It marks the first time we’re making music together as a team with Cameron Edens and Andrew Utech, alongside our longtime brother, Doug Roark. These songs are a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness, and we can’t wait for you to experience the message of hope and promise we’ve poured our hearts into.”

The album opens with the energetic track “Every Promise Made Is a Promise Kept,” written by Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox. Featuring a country-inspired arrangement and lively quartet harmonies, the song’s lyrics introduces the album’s central theme of God’s steadfast faithfulness:

There’s never been a time that He’s not faithfulNever been a day His words aren’t trueNever been a moment that our God won’tDo just what He said He’d doHe’s never ever failed to keep one yetEvery promise made is a promise kept.

Roger Talley, the producer of Promises Kept, praised the group’s dedication and renewed energy during the project’s creation. “I thoroughly enjoyed producing this new EP for Anthem Edition,” Talley shared. “They approached this project with a renewed passion and more energy than they have ever had before. We found some great new songs to express their commitment to singing the Gospel with a new excitement that I can’t wait for you to hear. A unique feature of this project is the number of uptempo songs they have chosen. For anyone who has ever complained about too many slow songs, this project is for you!”

With Promises Kept, Anthem Edition builds on their storied history while embracing a new chapter with Edens and Utech as part of their lineup.

The Serious Responsibility of Responding to the Gospel

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

When reading the Gospels, have you ever imagined witnessing Jesus’ miracles in person? While this might seem incredible, it’s essential to consider the gravity of such an experience. According to Jesus, seeing His works and responding wrongly brought severe consequences. In John 15:24, Jesus said, “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father.” This statement reveals a profound truth about accountability.

Those who saw Jesus’ miracles and still rejected Him bore a heavier burden of sin—not because they were free of sin beforehand, but because they chose to reject the clear evidence of His divine mission. Jesus was not saying they were sinless by nature; Scripture makes it clear that all humanity is inherently sinful. Instead, He referred to the specific sin of rejecting Him, which carries the most severe consequences.

The book of Hebrews warns about the punishment for those who hear the Gospel, understand its message, and reject it. It says the person who tramples on the blood of Christ faces a greater judgment (Hebrews 10:29). In this light, rejecting the Gospel after fully understanding it is far more dangerous than never hearing it at all. While all who reject God will face eternal separation from Him, the punishment is greater for those who knowingly turned away after being exposed to the truth.

This is a sobering reminder of the responsibility that comes with hearing and understanding the Gospel. Doesn’t the mean believers should have an urgency to respond to Christ with faith and obedience?

The Value of Life in Light of the Sixth Commandment

TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

The sixth commandment, found in Exodus 20:13, states, “You shall not murder.” The original Hebrew word, ratsach, refers specifically to acts of homicide, making it clear that this is not a general prohibition against all forms of killing. For instance, this commandment is not meant to advocate vegetarianism or reject capital punishment outright.

Scripture teaches that every human being is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). This means human life holds unique value and must be treated with the utmost respect. The sixth commandment goes beyond physical acts of violence—it also speaks to the condition of the heart. It condemns murder, suicide, abortion, and even hatred toward others. Jesus expanded on this in Matthew 5:21-22, emphasizing that harbouring anger against someone can be just as serious as the act of murder.

Believers are called to reflect God’s love by rejecting hatred and embracing compassion. As followers of Christ, we are instructed to cherish life, seek peace, and build each other up in love.