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Artist Feature: Kristen Bearfield of HighRoad

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AMY TURNER

Kristen Bearfield is a multifaceted artist whose life is deeply intertwined with music and communication. Raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Kristen grew up surrounded by the rich sounds of gospel, bluegrass, and country music. Her musical journey began at a young age, singing her first solo in church at just three years old. Encouraged by her family to follow her passion, Kristen pursued formal education in music, studying at Liberty University and graduating from East Tennessee State University.

Her musical roots run deep, with influential figures like her great uncle Clarence “Tater” Tate—who played bass and fiddle for bluegrass legend Bill Monroe—shaping her path. Over the years, Kristen has collaborated with renowned artists such as Jimmy Fortune, The Zac Brown Band, Rosemary Siemens, Emily Ann Roberts, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge. Her talent has taken her to prestigious stages including The Grand Ole Opry at The Ryman, The Country Music Hall of Fame, MerleFest, and the IBMA World of Bluegrass.

Songwriters: Kenna Turner West / Sonya Isaacs Yeary / Becky Isaacs Bowman Album: Straight From The Heart

Kristen tours full-time as a member of HighRoad, an all-female band known for acoustic harmonies. HighRoad has been together for eight years and earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2019. In 2023, they were named AGM Female Group of the Year. Their latest song, There’s A River, continues to showcase their unique sound.

In addition to her musical career, Kristen plays a vital role in the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as part of its communications team. Reflecting on this dual role during an interview, Kristen shared: “Managing our public relations and communications … came at a time when we weren’t touring as much during COVID. I’ve always loved the organization … it really just felt like the right move at the time.” She added that while touring full-time again with HighRoad keeps her busy, she remains grateful for her work with IBMA and the network it provides.

Kristen’s dedication to music and communication exemplifies her ability to balance multiple roles while staying true to her roots. Whether performing on stage or working behind the scenes at IBMA, Kristen continues to make significant contributions to the world of bluegrass and gospel music.

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

Dr. J. Vernon McGee: Mark 1

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Dr. J. Vernon McGee introduces the Gospel of Mark as chronologically the first Gospel written and emphasizes that its author, John Mark, was not an apostle but had close associations with key figures like Paul, Barnabas (his uncle), and Peter (his spiritual son). Mark’s Jewish name was John, and Mark was his Latin surname. His mother, Mary, was a prominent Christian in Jerusalem whose home served as a meeting place for the church. Mark initially accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but turned back, causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, with Barnabas later taking Mark to Cyprus. However, Mark eventually redeemed himself, becoming profitable for the ministry later in Paul’s life. Dr. McGee also notes the early church tradition, supported by figures like Papias, that Mark’s Gospel is essentially Peter’s account.

Dr. McGee explains that the Gospel of Mark was specifically written for the Romans, catering to the Roman mind which valued strength and action. He contrasts this with Matthew, written for the nation of Israel and the religious man; Luke, for the thinking man; and John, for the wretched man. The Romans, while bringing peace, justice, and order, did so through force, representing active human power and a tendency towards dictatorship. Mark presents Jesus not as the king (like in Matthew) but as God’s servant, a man of action, with “Flaming headlines” like “Jesus came” and “He is risen”. The style of Mark is described as brief, blunt, pertinent, pithy, and action-oriented, evident in the frequent use of the connective “and”. Unlike Matthew, Mark does not include a genealogy because Romans were more concerned with a servant’s ability to do the job than their lineage.

Moving into Mark chapter 1, Dr. McGee highlights the beginning of the Gospel, which focuses on Jesus’ coming into the world, his public ministry, death, and resurrection. He discusses John the Baptist as the messenger preparing the way for the Lord, baptizing not for the remission of sins but “unto the remission of sins,” preparing people for Jesus’ arrival. Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River marked his identification with mankind, accompanied by the Trinity appearing with the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father’s voice declaring, “Thou art my beloved Son”. Immediately after, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan, alongside wild beasts, while angels ministered to him. Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, calling his first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) to become “fishers of men”.

Dr. McGee describes a typical busy day in Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, starting on the Sabbath where he taught with authority, astonishing the people. The first recorded miracle in Mark is the casting out of an unclean spirit in the synagogue, demonstrating Jesus’ power in the spiritual realm. This was followed by the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law who had a fever. That evening, the entire city gathered, and Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out demons, who recognized him. Despite his busy schedule, Jesus made time to pray early in the morning and then decided to move on to other towns to preach. The chapter concludes with the healing of a leper, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion as he touched and cleansed him. Jesus instructed the man to remain silent but to show himself to the priest according to Mosaic law; however, the man disobeyed and publicized his healing widely.

Faith and Healing: Christopher Reed’s Battle with Health Challenges

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JEFF TURNER

Christopher Reed of Debra Perry & Jaidyn’s Call has been facing health challenges for several months. Recently, he shared an update about his condition.

Reed underwent a liver biopsy last week and had asked for prayers from his supporters. He remains steadfast in his faith, stating, “The devil is a liar and God is still on his throne.”

Addressing concerns about his health, Reed clarified his diagnosis. “I do not have cirrhosis of the liver. I do not have cirrhosis of the liver,” he emphasized. Instead, doctors have diagnosed him with fatty liver and mild fibrosis, which is considered stage one. He explained, “It is something that can be reversible.”

Reed views this diagnosis as a crucial moment in his life. “I’m going to tell you right now, it’s been a very, very big wake-up call,” he admitted.

Despite the challenges, Reed remains hopeful and determined to take the necessary steps toward improving his health. His supporters continue to stand by him in prayer and encouragement as he navigates this journey to recovery.

Joseph Habedank Shares Hope Through His Music and Ministry

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AMY TURNER

Joseph Habedank is a singer who has openly talked about his own journey of getting better from addiction. Now, he uses his experiences to help others who are also in recovery.

One important part of his work is connecting with people in recovery at his concerts. Habedank explains, “The ministry that we get to see on a nightly basis, that we get to help addicts, alcoholics, their families. We’ve got a lady named Brenda in our office who invites local recovery groups to every concert in every town that we go to. And so almost every night we have 20 or 30 people from a local rehab, whether it be a Christian rehab or even a secular rehab sometimes. And it’s so amazing to watch how differently they worship than church people because they know what it’s like to be at rock bottom and they know what it’s like to be free”.

It’s important to him to connect with people who understand what it means to struggle and find freedom. The people from recovery backgrounds often have a deep understanding of what it is like to feel hopeless and then find a way to change their lives.

Provided to YouTube by Daywind Records Jesus walked in (feat. Chris Blue) · Joseph Habedank · Chris Blue autobiography ℗ 2024 Daywind Records Released on: 2024-04-19

His music also reflects this message of hope and change. In his latest song “Jesus walked in (feat. Chris Blue),” the lyrics tell stories of difficult situations being turned around. For example, the song talks about a “sick girl” whose “hope was Gone” until “Jesus walk in change everything”. It also describes someone who felt like a “prisoner locked up in Chains” who thought they would “never be free” until “Jesus walk in” and “change everything”.

People struggling with addiction often feel trapped by their choices, like they are in chains. There can be moments when it feels like the story has come to an end, and there is no hope left. However, just as the song describes Jesus walking in and changing things, many people in recovery experience a turning point that brings them hope and freedom.

The lyrics emphasizes that “when he’s in the room nothing’s the same.” This idea of things changing when hope enters a situation is central to the message of recovery. Habedank’s ministry and his music both aim to show people that even in the darkest moments, change is possible. They highlight the feeling of knowing what it’s like to be at your lowest point and then experiencing the joy of becoming free.

Mark Bishop’s Legacy and the Blessing of Grandchildren

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Mark Bishop’s New Song Highlights the Blessing of Grandchildren, and he has released a new music video celebrating the joy of grandchildren. His song, titled Grandkids, reflects on the deep and unique love that comes with being a grandparent.

Bishop recalls that before he experienced this love firsthand, many people told him there was nothing like it. At first, he was skeptical, believing that his love for his wife and daughters was as strong as love could be. However, when his first grandchild was born, he realized that it was, in fact, a new kind of love. His song captures this feeling, expressing gratitude for the blessing that grandchildren bring into a family. One of the lyrics states, “God’s had a lot of great ideas, but the one I think I love the most, has to be grandkids.”

The music video for Grandkids features clips sent in by fans, showcasing moments between grandparents and their grandchildren. Bishop wanted to include real-life experiences in the video to reflect the emotions behind the song.

Sonlite Records 2025

Mark Bishop’s Legacy in Gospel Music

Mark has been a prominent name in Christian music for forty years. A Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist, he has been writing and recording songs that inspire believers worldwide. He lives in east-central Kentucky with his wife, Carolyn.

His career began in 1984 with The Bishops, a family group he formed with his father and brother. Over seventeen years, they recorded numerous songs that became well known in the Gospel music industry. They were featured on television programs such as Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, The Grand Ole Opry, and The Bill Gaither Homecoming series. The group achieved multiple chart-topping songs and industry awards.

Mark wrote many of the group’s well-loved songs and continues to write music for other Christian artists. His solo career, which began after the family group retired in 2001, has been equally successful. He was named “Soloist of the Year” at the Singing News Fan Awards in 2005, and his 2020 album Beautiful Day was a Grammy nominee for Best Roots Gospel Album. In 2022, he received the J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award from SGN Scoops Magazine.

A Message for Christian Families

For Christians, songs like Grandkids serve as reminders of the blessings that God provides through family. The song emphasizes the joy that comes from seeing the next generation grow and learn. It also highlights the special role grandparents play in sharing wisdom and faith with their grandchildren.

As families continue to navigate the challenges of modern life, music like Bishop’s offers encouragement and a reason to reflect on the importance of faith and love.