STAFF
Police are investigating a break-in and vandalism at the Anglican Church in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.
A press release from the RCMP says someone late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning got into the building and damaged several religions items. The release says police request assistance from the public to find the person or persons responsible.
No motive for the vandalism is known.
David Ingram & Info from Gospel Harmonies
Texas Gospel Canada is saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Gospel Music programmer Alan Cook. Alan’s weekly program Gospel Harmonies has been a part of our lineup since our first year of broadcasting.
Gospel Harmonies released this statement to radio affiliates this week:
Alan Bruce Cook passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 11, 2022, surrounded by his family. Gospel Harmonies will continue until the end of the year with Reprise and special Memorial Episodes featuring Favorites, Stories from Alanâ personal experiences, and Celebration of the ministry and love he has shared with so Many.
Aalan was born in Detroit MI in 1941, the firstborn son of Fred and Julia Marguerite Cook. They settled in Grand Haven when he was 2. He attended local schools, where his life-long love of acting and sports began, graduating in 1959.
In 1966, while working his way thru Michigan State University, Alan married Joan Phyllis Harp at South Church of the Nazarene in Lansing MI, where he had become an active member and Sunday School teacher.
Alan completed his bachelorâs degree in Broadcasting in 1967 and became a sportscaster for WILX-TV in Jackson MI. He volunteered at FAMILY LIFE RADIO while it still operated out of founder Warren Bolthouseâs basement. When FLR opened its first station, WUNN in Mason, Mi, in 1969, Alan was the first paid employee.
Alan and Joanâs first child, Autumn Anne, was born in 1972. He created GOSPEL HARMONIES, featuring Southern Gospel music, in 1973. In 1978, when KFLR opened, the Cooks moved to Phoenix, and Alan became the morning announcer and news director. Orangewood Nazarene welcomed them as family and they developed many life-long family friends. Scott Alan was born in 1980. In 1982, the family followed Godâs leading to welcome 14-year-old Cyndi into their home, and finalized her adoption in 1984.
Alan was active in many community events not only for FLR, but for United Blood Bank, Shoebox Ministry, Center for Arizona Policy and many others. Alan and Joan participated in leadership for teen Bible Quizzing for 20 years. He managed KFLR for over 25 years, retiring in 2009 after 40 years with FLR.
Retirement meant more time to pursue music and theatre with Peoria Theatre, Ghostlight Theatre, and His Messengers, a Gospel double quartet. Alan provided the singing interlude for the Sun City Poms, and performed at Glendale Glitters. Alan continued to produce GOSPEL HARMONIES, which is heard weekly on more than 20 stations across the USA.
Alan and Joan welcomed additions to their family with the marriages of Autumn and Marc Dean (1994), Scott and Megan Hodges (2002) and Cyndi to Kevin Lambert (2010), and grandsons Kai Ryan Cook in 2008 and Quinten Thomas Cook in 2011.
The cancer he successfully fought in 2011 returned in 2022 but he was able to spend his last days at home surrounded by the family and friends who loved him. Alan is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan, their children and life-long mates: Autumn with Marc, Scott with Megan and Cyndi with Kevin, grandchildren Kai and Quinten, and his brother Terry Cook (Joyce) of Grand Haven, MI.
STAFF
Arthur Rice of the Kingdom Heirs is beginning a new chapter of his life as he leaves the group to become a church music director.
Arthur sang one last time with The Kingdom Heirs Monday. He offered these thoughts to the group, the audience at The Showstreet Palace Theatre and an audience of thousands watching online.
âGodâs been faithful to us, âhe told the crowd as he spoke about the groupâs future.
âWeâve been through some things that, we shouldnât be here. I mean, the world looked at us and said, âyaâll are done.â But you know what, God wasnât done with us. And these boys are going to go on. Godâs always got a plan. Heâs always got somebody. And these boys are going to go on and be solid as a rock,â he said.
We wish Arthur well as he begins his new role at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, NC.
The Kingdom Heirs posted the following press release to the groupâs website:
Hello friends and dear supporters of the Kingdom Heirs. We would like to thank each of you for your devoted commitment to us over the years. Your loyalty is the greatest example of God’s grace that we know. Today we come to you with news that may come as a shock. Please know the decisions that were made were out of a prompting from the Holy Spirit that could not be ignored. Months ago, Arthur Rice was approached by a church in need of a music director. This church is very dear to Arthur, but as we all know, so is the Kingdom Heirs. After months in earnest prayer over this huge decision, Arthur received confirmation from the Lord to accept the position.
There is no one capable of “replacing” Arthur Rice being that he has a legacy in Southern Gospel that few can compare to. When the group was made aware of Arthurs resignation, it was greeted with a lot of tears and a lot of love. Group owner and bass guitar player Kreis French says, “I was surprised because I had thought this group of guys would take me through to the end, and Arthur has been a friend and mentor for 27 years. But I realize that God sometimes has different plans than we do. I am happy for him and his family.”
We will miss Arthur’s spectacular vocals as lead, the daily laughs both on and off stage, and his encouraging presence. However, we wish him and his family all the joy and success as he embarks on this new adventure.
Upon asking Arthur about this move he said, “In 1995, I moved across the mountains to a new home and a new family. The Kingdom Heirs have been my family for the past 27 years. We’ve had many ups and downs, triumphs and tragedy, but through it all God has been faithful. Even when others thought we’d never survive, we never lost hope or even gave the devil a chance to put doubt in our minds. We were determined to finish what The Lord had begun in us. Even during the pandemic when most groups were sidelined, God provided us a place to present a message of hope. I’d never even thought about retirement, as long as the Lord would allow me to sing I had a message to give. And then about 7 months ago, God started dealing with my heart about a change. No one likes change and especially after this long. Surely I was misunderstanding what was going on. So I started really praying and seeking God’s will. I had no idea what it was or what He wanted me to do but as the days, weeks and months moved on the Lord confirmed He had something else for me to do. About two months ago I started a conversation with a church. After much prayer and careful consideration, I have accepted a position to serve as music director. I will be announcing where in a few days. I’ve realized that this opportunity is the right path and direction for me and my family. We covet your prayers as we move forward.
To Kreis and Dennis; we’ve been through a lot together but our friendship and resolve has never faltered. To the rest of the guys, y’all are my boys; ain’t nobody any more consistent, day in, day out. Solid as a rock. It’s been an honor serving with you all. To the fans; thank you for loving us through it all, the best is yet to come. To Dollywood; thank you for a platform to tell the world about Jesus. What an incredible place to work. Please be praying for the guys as they move forward. I’ve heard them and it’s going to be awesome. Hook forward to continuing to help produce some music for them. I love y’all.”
So, what is next for the Kingdom Heirs? After time spent in prayer, the group has a solution that is hoped to result in a very smooth transition onward and upward. Loren Harris is moving to Lead and Andy Stringfield will be singing Baritone and playing keys.
French says “Going forward, there is excitement within the group as we adjust to our new roles. Our goal has always been and will continue to be to spread the word in the most upbeat and positive way possible. We plan to continue to travel and perform at Dollywood for as long as the Lord allows.”
Though we have done everything we can to make this an easy transition, there is a lot of work to be done when forming a new and solid sound. As Arthur so well worded, we have faced so many “ups and downs, triumphs and tragedy,” BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL! We each desire your prayers as we move forward in God’s calling on our lives.
With so much love, The Kingdom Heirs
SPECIAL StowTown Records
Nashville, TN (June 3, 2022) â As summer begins, StowTown Records is keeping the music hot with a new album release from The Taylors. Love Is The Voice marks their first release in two years and features the North Carolina-based group delivering a musical collection that includes all four siblings for the first time in eight years.
With Love is the Voice, The Taylors demonstrate rich vocal harmonies, delivered with personal conviction. Chris Taylor shares, “We are beyond excited to present our newest musical release Love is the Voice. This album was born from a desire to encourage listeners to hear and believe the promises of God. From the gorgeous orchestrations to the delightful vocal arrangements, each song is hand-selected to highlight the abilities of the singer and display their desire to worship God. As a special surprise, and much to the delight of fans of the original group, Leslie (Perkins) has joined us, adding her beautiful soprano voice to this project. We invite you to listen to the message of this incredible album; we know you won’t be disappointed.”
This recording affords The Taylors yet another opportunity to work with multi-award winning producer, Wayne Haun, who always seems to bring songs that offer encouragement and inspiration to the album. Additional songwriters whose compositions are included in the nine-song recording include Scotty Inman, Lee Black, Chris Binion, Dave Clark and Karen Peck Gooch, just to name a few. And while most of the songs are new, there is one more familiar song included on the album. “I’m Loving You More Every Day” was made popular as a worship chorus by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Haun explains, “Most people didn’t know that this song had verses. Jimmy and Becky Pearce brought in Aaron Wilburn to write a second verse; and the song, with both verses, has never been recorded until now. After lying dormant for 30-plus years, we get to hear this popular song in a whole new way.”
For a season, The Taylors, Jonathan, Chris, Leslie and Suzanne (Hise), have limited their travel to be with their young families. However, their music is connecting with concert goers throughout the country and across the globe via radio and streaming. This is just one reason why they place great emphasis on their song choices. These songs, coupled with what producer Wayne Haun calls “smooth, silky sounds,” make The Taylors a perennial fan favorite. “The Taylors choose heartfelt material and consistently offer the most comforting sounds; you know, the ones that you could sit and listen to all day. Nothing beats a family blend, and these four have such tight harmonies that you often can’t tell who is singing which part. They truly become one unit â one voice.”
Listen for Live is the Voice on Texas Gospel Canada!
DAVID INGRAM & INFO FROM DAYWIND RECORDS
The Ball Brothers just returned from a mission trip to Ukraine. They were in the war-torn country April 19-26 after being invited by the pastor of Revival Baptist Church in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. More than 100 refugees are staying at the church.
Their visit was covered by secular media.
The group gave a Gospel concert at the church on Orthodox Easter but they brought more than just music.
“We were able to load up two vans full of food to deliver to displaced Ukranian refugees in Vinnytsia,” said Daniel Ball.
The supplies included canned goods, produce and other foods that do not require refrigeration.
“Thank you so much for your support and your prayers. We have pictures and videos all up on Facebook if you want to see a little bit of what we’ve done,” Ball said.
Texas Gospel Canada Southern Gospel Radio 