Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Foresters announce passing of Mark Forester

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TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

Mark Forester, co-founder and patriarch of the Nashville-based Southern Gospel group The Foresters, has passed away. Mark, who served as vocalist, pianist, and guitarist for the family band, had dedicated more than two decades to full-time Christian music ministry alongside his wife Andrea and sons Tyler and Trevor, touching countless lives across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The Foresters have been a fixture in Christian music circles for 24 years. Over that time, the family band released 42 recordings, held more than 110 concerts annually, and saw all five of their radio singles chart in the top 80 on the Singing News national charts.

Mark’s leadership and production work, including on their most recent project “Calling You Home,” helped establish The Foresters as a top 10 nominated band by readers of Singing News Magazine.

The Foresters announced his passing with this Facebook post:

These past few days have been overwhelming, and I hardly know where to begin. I wanted to reach out with as much care and respect as possible as we acknowledge Mark’s passing and navigate this difficult moment together.
We are taking one day at a time right now. Our hearts are heavy — for ourselves and for Mark’s family. We truly wished his story could have been different, and that he could have found the healing and help he needed.
This is not the ending we ever expected or prepared for. The struggles that came into Mark’s life were heartbreaking and difficult, and we had always hoped for a better road ahead for him.
I have met with the funeral home and have taken care of the arrangements for him to be sent back to Michigan, where he will be laid to rest beside his father.
While there are many questions that cannot be answered right now, the boys and I are taking care of what must be handled as we move forward.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The boys have stood with me through every step of this, and I am so thankful for their strength and the help they have given me.
I would also appreciate your prayers — that God would give me wisdom, clarity, and peace as I work to close out the details before us and set up life for my boys. There is so much to care for, and I am relying on His strength daily.
We will continue to thank the Lord for His goodness, for the grace He has given, for His faithful provision, and for the hope that is in Him. It is the prayer of my heart — and the boys’ as well — that our lives would honor the Lord in every way, and that even in the midst of this struggle, others would see the Savior.
Faithful. Focused. Following Christ. – That is our desire.
Thank you, always, for your love, support, and the blessing you have been to us.

Stephen Forester, Mark’s brother, said, “The Lord saw Marks deep pain and He mercifully took him home . Romans 8:1”

Mark asked that the family be given space in this time of pain.

A private family service will be held.

but we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Eighteen Mile shares new song about Biblical story and personal faith

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Mountain Home Music Company artist Eighteen Mile has released their second single after finding success with their first release. The young five-member group put out “Above The Clouds” in September, and that song has reached the top of the Bluegrass Today Gospel chart multiple times. Now they have followed up with “What Mercy Means.”

Carson Aaron, who plays multiple instruments for the band, wrote the new song and performs the lead vocals. He said the song came from thinking about a story in the book of Exodus, chapter 34, where Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God.

What Mercy Means â„— 2025 Mountain Home Music Company Released on: 2025-11-14

Aaron explained that the Bible describes the mountain as dark and frightening during that meeting. The text mentions earthquakes and thunder happening because God was present there. He wanted his song to express the contrast between a powerful and holy God meeting with a person who is not holy.

The song connects that ancient story to Aaron’s own life. He said that as a person who has sinned, he deserves punishment when standing before a holy God. However, he experiences mercy from God each morning instead.

The song features musical work from fiddler Savannah Aaron, who plays a thoughtful melody line. Sometimes she plays alone, and other times banjo player Jack Ritter joins her with quieter accompaniment. Ritter and Emily Guy provide harmonies that support the chorus Aaron wrote.
Andy Leftwich produced “What Mercy Means,” just as he did with the previous single. Leftwich is known for his work playing fiddle and mandolin. The song fits within the tradition of bluegrass gospel music that has been popular for many years.

People can now listen to “What Mercy Means” on streaming services. The song is available in Dolby Atmos spatial audio format on Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL and throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada.

Wilson Banjo Co. releases new song about heaven and belonging

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Wilson Banjo Co. has put out a new single called “Heaven Is Your Hometown.” The song came out through Pinecastle Records and carries a message about faith and finding one’s true home in heaven.

Steve Wilson, who started the band, explained why the song matters to him. He said the opening line asks if people feel like strangers who do not fit in. Wilson said this lyric affected him deeply when he first heard it. He believes the song will connect with many other people as well.

The songwriters Mitch Townley and Andrew Scott Wills wrote about the feeling of wanting to reach a place of peace and belonging. For Christians, this speaks to the biblical teaching that earth is temporary and heaven is the eternal home believers will share with God. The lyrics offer comfort through faith-based images and the hope of reunion with loved ones in heaven.

Provided to YouTube by Syntax Creative Heaven Is Your Hometown · Wilson Banjo Co. Heaven Is Your Hometown ℗ 2025 Pinecastle Records Released on: 2025-11-14

Cal Mathews sings the lead vocals on the track. Steve Wilson and Melanie Wilson provide harmony vocals. The musicians on the recording include Steve Wilson on banjo, Jason Fraley on mandolin, Richard Bennett on guitar, Glen Crain on resonator guitar, Leona on fiddle, and Jaime Carter on bass.

The band is working on their next studio album, which will come out in 2026. Steve Wilson leads the creative direction for the group. This year, their previous release called “Lonely As It Gets” performed well on the charts. The collection reached the number one position for several weeks on the Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart. It stayed in the top ten for 33 weeks in 2025. The release also produced multiple songs that reached number one on the Roots Music Report Contemporary Bluegrass Song Chart.

Wilson Banjo Co. plans to keep making music that reflects their established sound. People can find more information about the band and their releases at http://www.wilsonbanjo.com. The band also maintains a presence on social media platforms. Listen for this and other Gospel music from Wilson Banjo Co on Texas Gospel Canada!

Victory at the Cross

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AMY TURNER

The book of Colossians teaches that before knowing Christ, people were spiritually dead because of sin. Through Jesus, God brings new life and forgives every wrong. The debt of sin, which carried demands of judgment, was removed when Jesus went to the cross. That moment was not a defeat but a decisive act where the power of evil was broken.

The scripture explains that rulers and authorities of darkness were disarmed and shamed openly. Satan and his demons did not succeed at the cross. Some may think that victory for Christ only came with the resurrection, but the truth is that Satan’s downfall was sealed the very moment Jesus gave His life. What seemed like loss was actually the destruction of the enemy’s power.

The cross is where Christ’s sacrifice ended sin’s claim and exposed the weakness of evil. The resurrection later revealed this victory fully, and the crushing of Satan happened when Jesus died for humanity.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:14

Running the Race Without Being Disqualified

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JEFF TURNER

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul explains that he disciplines his body and keeps it under control so he will not be disqualified. He uses an image from athletics, where a competitor who fails to meet the training standards cannot even enter the race.

Paul’s concern was not about losing salvation, but about losing his credibility and effectiveness in ministry. He did not want to preach the gospel to others while failing to live in a way that honours Christ. Like an athlete who sacrifices comforts to prepare for competition, Paul was willing to give up anything that could harm his service for the Lord.

His goal was to remain faithful and free from sin or distraction that could limit his usefulness. The Christian life is a race toward the goal of God’s heavenly calling, and it requires focus, discipline, and perseverance.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14