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Jon Epley to Depart Greater Vision After Nearly Eight Years

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

After serving as the baritone vocalist for Greater Vision since April 2017, Jon Epley has announced his decision to leave Greater Vision. The announcement follows weeks of prayer and discussions as Epley sought clarity on his future path.

Gerald Wolfe, the founder of Greater Vision, expressed his full support for Epley’s decision. “Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman, and I fully support Jon’s decision, and we join him in believing God has a great plan for his life in the days and years ahead,” Wolfe stated. He went on to describe Epley as “like family” to the group and expressed confidence that Epley’s diverse talents would lead to new opportunities.

Epley will continue touring with Greater Vision until the end of February 2025. Meanwhile, Wolfe and his fellow members—Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman—will begin searching for a new baritone to join the group. Wolfe emphasized their belief that God is already preparing the right person for this role and requested prayers for guidance during this transitional period.

Epley’s tenure with Greater Vision has been marked by great vocals and songwriting. His work has added depth to the group’s music, which is known for its rich harmonies and spiritually uplifting messages. As he prepares to step away from this chapter of his career, Epley leaves behind a legacy of dedication and artistry within one of Southern Gospel’s most celebrated groups.

A Journey of Faith: Paul Lancaster Journey to The Guardians Quartet

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Life’s unexpected turns led tenor singer Paul Lancaster to join The Guardians Quartet, though the path was marked by both profound loss and divine timing.

Lancaster faced one of life’s most challenging seasons in early 2021 when his wife Michelle passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. As a newly single parent to three sons, including a 15-year-old who couldn’t yet drive, Lancaster knew his place needed to be at home.

Paul Lancaster courtesy guardiansquartet.com

“I was just kind of an emotional mess,” Lancaster shares. “I had to come home and actually go through the process of falling apart for a while and yet try to be there for my son.”

Through what Lancaster describes as “God’s healing,” he and his family gradually moved forward. His youngest son achieved an important milestone by getting his driver’s licence, marking a step toward greater independence for both father and son.

Just as 2022 was drawing to a close, an unexpected opportunity arose. The Guardians Quartet reached out to Lancaster about joining their group, following founding member Dean Hickman’s departure due to health issues.

“God just threw it in my lap,” Lancaster recalls. “The Guardians called and said, would I like the job. And I’m like, yes, had me at Hello, you know, I love Pat Barker and John Rousey and Scott. And it’s an incredible team and a dream.”

While Lancaster had originally envisioned a different path for his musical career, he sees divine intervention in how events unfolded. “Even though I thought I was going to retire with a book, brothers, that was my original plan. God had other plans and I love it here,” he reflects.
His story stands as a testament to how life’s most difficult chapters can lead to unexpected new beginnings.

Paul is featured in The Guardian’s new song Kick Up My Heels which was added to our music rotation this week on Texas Gospel Canada’s Southern Gospel Stream.

Ernie Haase on Faith, Passion, and Authenticity in Gospel Music

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

For decades, Ernie Haase has been a familiar name in Gospel music. As tenor of Earnie Haase and Signature Sound and founder of StowTown Records, Haase has dedicated his life to sharing his faith through song. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on why he does what he does, the best advice he has ever received, and how he stays true to himself.

When asked about his motivation for singing Gospel music, Haase emphasized the importance of purpose. “Why I do what I do is because people need the gospel. They need to know that there is more to life than just living and dying and just trying to make it through another day another night,” he said. For Haase, music is more than entertainment—it is a way to share the message of faith and hope with others.

The wisdom passed down to Haase by his grandfather has also played a significant role in his journey. “Find something you love and you have passion for, and whatever you do in life, if you do that, you probably will never consider yourself working,” he recalled. This advice has shaped his career, helping him stay dedicated despite the challenges that come with life on the road. The love and passion for Gospel music have been his driving force, making the work feel less like a job and more like a calling.

Authenticity is another key aspect of Haase’s life and career. He believes that staying true to oneself requires reflection and prayer. “When you humble yourself and you kneel before the Lord, and you don’t come to him with any request as far as blessings, you come to him just as a servant, and you are totally transparent before him,” he explained. According to Haase, this kind of humility allows one to see what is truly aligned with faith and purpose.

When asked what three words he would share with a large audience, Haase’s answer was simple yet profound: “God is love.” He acknowledged that while this message may seem familiar, its true meaning is powerful. “When you feel the divine smile of God’s love on you, all earthly frowns are inconsequential,” he said.

Through his music and message, Ernie Haase continues to inspire Gospel music lovers. His dedication to faith, passion, and authenticity serves as a reminder that music can be a powerful tool for sharing hope and love with the world

Dollywood Mainstays The Kingdom Heirs Announce Summer Tour Plans

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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.

Anthem Edition’s New Gospel Album Promises Kept

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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.