Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Artist Feature: The Erwins

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AMY TURNER

In the small town of Edgewood, Texas, a unique musical legacy continues through the harmonies of The Erwins, a Southern Gospel group composed of four siblings who have spent their entire lives on the road sharing their music.

Keith, Kody, Kris, and Katie Erwin grew up in a family where ministry and music were inseparable parts of daily life. Their father, a full-time evangelist for nearly five decades, brought his children along as he traveled across the United States, allowing them to develop their musical gifts from the moment they could speak.

For years, the three brothers performed as a trio until 2013, when their sister Katie joined them on stage, transforming The Erwins into a mixed group. Today, they maintain a demanding schedule of more than 270 performances annually at concerts, revivals, and conferences throughout the country.

Each member brings their own strengths to the group. Keith, who serves as the lead singer, balances his musical career with family life, having welcomed his son Landry Thomas in December 2020 with his wife Lindsey. When not performing, he finds time for fishing, golfing, and basketball.
Kody, married to Cayla and father to daughters Laney Brooke and Ivey Reign, handles the technical aspects of their performances, managing the sound system during shows. His off-stage interests mirror his brother’s, including fishing, golfing, and softball.

Kris, the group’s songwriter, wrote his first composition “Watch and See” in 2018. He creates the setlists for their performances and produces their lyric music videos. In his spare time, he enjoys movies, biking, and reading.

Katie, who married Logan Headrick in October 2022, manages the group’s social media presence. She maintains an interest in shopping and fashion trends when not traveling with her brothers.
“Singing is all we know and all we want to do,” Keith explains. “It’s our life and our joy to serve the Lord with the voices He has given us. We will gladly go through any door He chooses to open, no matter how big or small. We know the Lord doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us, and for that we are thankful.”

This new generation of Southern Gospel performers from Edgewood continues to share their music, carrying forward a family tradition of ministry through song.

God’s Eternal Nature: Beyond Time’s Boundaries

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JEFF TURNER

The concept of God’s eternity stretches far beyond human understanding. Unlike humans who are trapped within time’s linear progression, God stands outside of temporal constraints, viewing all of history simultaneously.

Scripture reveals that God’s perspective transcends our limited perception. As Psalm 90:4 declares, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” This verse illustrates how time means something completely different to God.

God is not bound by moments, memories, or anticipations. He does not experience time as we do. Instead, He sees all of history in a single, vivid panorama. From creation to the fall, from ancient civilizations to modern assemblies, every event exists simultaneously before His eternal gaze.

The fundamental truth about God’s eternity is His complete freedom from time’s limitations. While humans are inherently time-bound creatures, moving between a fixed past and an unknown future, God stands apart. He cannot be constrained by something He has made.

In essence, God’s existence is timeless. He is unbound, unlimited, and sovereign over every moment of history, watching over the grand narrative of existence with perfect, comprehensive understanding.

INTERNATIONAL: U.S. Church nearing end of restoration following arson

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AMY TURNER

A historic San Francisco, CA church, heavily damaged by a fire in March, is now just weeks away from reopening. However, recent heavy rains have presented new challenges, complicating the final stages of restoration.

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church caught fire earlier this year, with flames engulfing the building by the time firefighters arrived. The fire crews focused on battling the blaze from outside to safely control the flames and protect a neighbouring business. The church, a crucial community space, has been undergoing significant repairs ever since.

The fire, which is believed to be an act of arson, left the congregation without a worship space for over two months. During this time, services have taken place outdoors, despite unpredictable and often poor weather conditions.

In addition to its role as a place of worship, St. John the Evangelist serves as a daytime refuge for people experiencing homelessness. The fire temporarily disrupted this vital service, forcing those who rely on the church’s shelter to seek alternatives while repairs were underway.

Despite these setbacks, the church’s leaders remain optimistic. They are determined to finalize the restoration in the coming weeks, aiming to reopen just in time for Christmas.

INTERNATIONAL: Pastor T.D. Jakes Receives Medical Attention After Sermon

Published on by Texas Gospel1 Comment

AMY TURNER

Pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a “slight health incident” while delivering a sermon on Sunday at The Potter’s House, his megachurch.

The 67-year-old religious leader was seen pausing and shaking during his hour-long message, prompting several individuals to approach him on stage. Social media footage captured the moment.

The church posted a statement on X saying, “During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community.”

The Potter’s House, founded by Jakes in 1996 and boasting over 30,000 members, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and prayers.

Jakes, who is also an author, film producer, and was a speaker at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, leads a non-denominational church with campuses in Texas and Colorado.

The Kingsmen’s Musical Journey: A Retrospective Collection

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JEFF TURNER

Southern Gospel fans have something special to explore with the release of Decades Vol. 3 & 4 by The Kingsmen. This new collection, released through Horizon Records, spans the group’s history, showcasing their musical journey and including reworked versions of classic songs.

Alan Kendall of The Kingsmen shared the group’s excitement over this new release, stating that the overwhelming response to their previous compilation, Decades Vol. 1 & 2, inspired them to dive back into their archives. The new volume covers decades of music and features both older recordings and updated renditions performed by the group’s current lineup, which includes Thomas Nalley, Cole Watson, Brady Jones, and Kendall himself.

Here’s a bit of the Kingsmen on Saints will Rise from earlier this year (Courtesy YouTube)

Three songs in the collection, “Saints Will Rise,” “So High,” and “The Judgement,” have been re-recorded by the current members. According to Kendall, these classic songs were chosen to be updated for a fresh 2024 sound while preserving their timeless quality. The Kingsmen, a group known for their long-lasting influence in Southern Gospel, are approaching their 70th anniversary, making this collection a reflection of both their past achievements and present vitality.

With nearly seven decades of history, The Kingsmen have become a well-known name in Gospel music, earning a reputation as a “school of Southern Gospel” due to the many talented singers who have been part of the group. The latest collection includes contributions from around two dozen Kingsmen alumni, highlighting their extensive impact. This set is intended to appeal to both long-time followers of the group and those new to their music.

The Cross has Won Again (Courtesy YouTube)

Kendall notes that Decades Vol. 3 & 4 holds a total of 39 tracks, featuring a mix of hits, rare recordings, and favorite selections from members of the group. Among these are some unique recordings, including a studio version of “The Cross Has Won Again” from 1992, which was previously released only to radio stations. Additionally, songs from The Kingsmen’s earliest albums from 1960 and 1961 are now available in digital format for the first time.

For fans of instrumental Gospel music, there is also a special 2007 recording of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” performed by Brandon Reese, Nick Succi, and Grant Barker. Previously, this track was only available on a limited-edition live album. Another rarity in the collection is a 1965 transcription of an appearance on Bob Poole’s Gospel Favorites, featuring a dialogue between the show’s host, Bob Poole, and long-time Kingsmen pianist, Ray Talley.

Kendall emphasizes the historical and musical value of the set, describing it as a must-have for those who appreciate the heritage of Southern Gospel music. For listeners, Decades Vol. 3 & 4 is not just a look back, but a reminder of the faith and talent that have sustained The Kingsmen’s music for nearly 70 years.