Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

The promise of a place beyond death

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AMY TURNER

Many people live with fear when they think about death. It is seen as a mystery, a place that no one can describe with certainty. You cannot sit down with those who have passed away and ask them if their faith gave them hope. For many, this leaves an uneasy question about what really happens after life ends.

Yet the Bible gives a clear answer. In John 14:1–3, Jesus speaks words of comfort. He tells his followers not to let their hearts be troubled. He assures them that in his Father’s house there is room for all who belong to Him.

What sets this hope apart is the truth that Jesus himself rose from the dead. His resurrection shows that death is not the end. Because he lives, those who trust in him can believe that his promise is sure.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3:20

MARK209 seeks bass singer and pianist following band member departures

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JEFF TURNER

Nashville-based Christian country quartet MARK209 has announced openings for two key positions following the departure of keyboard player Joshua Pope and bass vocalist Joe Armstrong from the group.

The band is now accepting audition requests for a bass singer and a pianist or keyboardist to join their national touring lineup. Those interested in auditioning are asked to submit a resumé, headshot and demo (either audio or video links) to auditions@mark209.com.

The vocal quartet has built a reputation for blending country, classic rock and gospel. Known for incorporating humour into their performances, MARK209 has developed a following that appreciates both their music and comedy.

The group’s name pays homage to their Tennessee roots, referencing mile marker 209 in Nashville, which marks the city centre and the exit for Music Row, Broadway’s Honky Tonk Row, the Country Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Throughout their career, MARK209 has performed alongside industry veterans and award recipients, including Country Music Hall of Fame members Ronnie Milsap, T.G. Sheppard and Ronnie McDowell, as well as artists such as Danny Gokey, Colton Dixon, Tenth Avenue North, Karen Peck & New River and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. These collaborations have placed them on stages with Grammy, Dove and American Music Award winners and Grand Ole Opry members.

The quartet’s most recent project, “Open Road,” was produced by Kent Wells, who has earned recognition for his work with Dolly Parton, including her latest album “Rockstar.” Wells’ production expertise has helped shape the polished, distinctive sound that has become synonymous with MARK209’s music.

The band has encouraged those who know qualified candidates to share the audition opportunity widely as they search for the right individuals to fill these positions.

Legacy Five’s Jon Epley speaks frankly after having stroke

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JOHN WALK

Jon Epley of Legacy Five experienced a medical crisis last week that could have changed his life forever. Remarkably, just days later, he says he feels completely normal. In a Facebook video, Epley shared the terrifying details of what happened.

“Thursday night, I was at home, and I was sitting on the bed looking at my phone. It was about 10 o’clock. At exactly 10:05, I had just looked at the time,” Epley recalled. What started as an odd sensation quickly escalated into something far more serious. “At 10:05, I thought, man, my phone feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I’m having trouble holding it up right now. My arm started feeling worse.”

Epley got up and walked to the kitchen, shaking his arm in an attempt to restore feeling. He initially thought his arm had simply fallen asleep, but the situation deteriorated rapidly. “And within a few seconds, it started happening to my right leg. I couldn’t put weight on it. It started feeling like it was just made out a rubber or something.”

Within half a minute, Epley realized the gravity of what was happening. “About 30 seconds in, I actually said out loud. I said, I think I’m having a stroke,” he said. He made his way back to the bedroom, but by that point, the paralysis had taken over. “And by the time I got back there, it had been about two minutes. And I fell back on my bed and called 911 with my left hand because within two minutes, my whole right side was gone. It was paralyzed. I could not move my right leg, my right arm, my hand.”

The fear intensified when emergency services answered. “I was scared. And 911 answered the call. And when they answered, I really got scared because I started trying to tell them my address and what was going on and I couldn’t form words,” Epley explained.

Paramedics transported him to hospital, where he was admitted Thursday night. Throughout Friday, medical staff conducted numerous tests. “Friday afternoon they did an MRI,” he said, noting that doctors also ordered an echocardiogram.

The following morning brought confirmation of what Epley had suspected. “This morning the neurologist came in. She said you had a stroke and she said it wasn’t one of those many strokes. She said you had a stroke deep in the left side of your brain and the left side you know affects the right so she said that’s why you lost everything on the right side,” he recounted.

What happened next astounded medical professionals. The neurologist told Epley his recovery was extraordinary. She “basically went on to tell me how rare this was, how unheard of this was that I was sitting there and by today I was totally fine, didn’t feel anything, everything worked fine, speak fine,” he said. Medical staff administered comprehensive assessments to verify his condition. “They did all kinds of comprehension tests on me and reading and vision and everything,” Epley noted.

At the conclusion of the examination, the neurologist emphasized just how fortunate he was. “She reiterated again at the end there. You are one lucky person,” Epley said. But the singer had a different perspective on his remarkable recovery. “And I couldn’t say anything except it’s not luck. It’s the Lord.”

11th Hour’s Amber Eppinette Saunders embarks on solo recording career

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JEFF TURNER

Amber Eppinette Saunders, known for her work with 11th Hour, is launching a solo music career under the stage name Amber Lynn, Sonlite Records announced this week. The new venture will showcase more personal songwriting while she continues her involvement with 11th Hour.

“While still looking forward to everything that’s coming with 11th Hour, I’ve been working quietly on so much new music, waiting for the moment that felt right…and that moment is finally here,” Saunders said. “I can’t wait to share more of my heart and story with you through my first ever solo release.”

The Sterlington, Louisiana native’s solo work will feature an inspirational approach that builds upon her southern gospel foundation. Her debut single, “Yahweh (Your Will Your Way),” is scheduled for release on 23 January. The track is intended to establish the direction for subsequent releases that will give Saunders opportunity to expand her artistic expression.

“This next chapter means a lot to me,” she said. “Time to share my heart with you all.”

Raised as a pastor’s child, Saunders grew up immersed in both music and Christian ministry. Over the years, she has contributed to more than 200 compositions, many recorded by 11th Hour alongside other artists including The Martins, The Whisnants, and The Bowling Sisters. She has also earned multiple fan award nominations for Soprano of the Year, and she recently received a Songwriter of the Year nomination.

Listen for music from her solo project soon on Texas Gospel Canada!

The Care of a Rescuer

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NELSON NOLAND

The twelfth chapter of Romans describes what Christian life should look like after receiving God’s mercy. Paul begins his letter by describing how God rescues us through grace. Then, in the later chapters, he explains that those who have been rescued are called to live as rescuers. People who take the mercy they have received should pass it on to others.

Faith, according to Paul, is not a feeling that stays inside. It is something that moves from the heart into real action. Love begins as compassion but must grow into care that can be seen and felt. The goal is not to appear spiritual or sound religious, but to live with genuine love that expresses itself in daily life.

From Rescue to Responsibility

Paul teaches that God’s mercy is never meant to stop with us. When we have experienced His forgiveness and kindness, we are to let that same mercy flow through us toward others. You could think of it as God recycling our pain and past struggles into compassion for people who face similar difficulties. If you have been encouraged, you can now encourage others. If you have been comforted, you can now comfort others. God uses the things that once hurt us to make us more useful to others. Isn’t this what it means to live out the gospel?

Christianity is not just about believing the right things. It is about behaving in a way that shows what we believe. The world does not need more people who can talk about faith; it needs people who can live it.

Caring Through Generosity

Paul begins this section with a simple instruction: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Caring for others begins with generosity. Faith is not meant to be passive; it must take action.

I hope this doesn’t seem repetitive: To care is to give. It is to offer our time, our resources, and our presence to others. I hope to drive the point home here. Christians are not called to consume what the church provides; they are called to contribute to its mission. The original word Paul uses, koinonia, means partnership. It describes believers working side by side, sharing what they have for the sake of others. Our generosity reveals the condition of our heart. A healthy church is one where people are quick to share and slow to hoard. Hospitality, in particular, is a powerful form of generosity. Opening one’s home is an act of love that says, “You belong here.”

Hospitality also reaches beyond comfort zones. It means showing kindness to people who are different from us. Real love does not stop at the people we know. It crosses boundaries. And this is exactly what Jesus did. He came to those who were far away, not to those who already knew Him. He pursued people who were lost and hurting. In the same way, believers are to reach out, not wait to be asked. Love takes the first step.

Acting with Grace

After speaking about generosity, Paul moves to a harder subject: responding with grace to those who treat us badly. He writes, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

This command challenges the natural human reaction. The world teaches us to get even. Grace teaches us to let go. When someone wrongs us, the easy response is anger or revenge. But Paul reminds us that Christians live by a different standard. We do not fight evil with evil; we answer it with good.

To bless someone means to speak well of them, to pray for them, and to wish them good rather than harm. This requires strength that only God can provide. It is not weakness to forgive; it takes deep courage.

Jesus lived this out perfectly. When He was insulted and beaten, He did not respond with hatred. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Stephen, one of the first followers of Jesus, did the same when he was killed for his faith. He asked God to forgive his attackers. In this we see that grace is not just an idea. And when we refuse to take revenge, we trust God to handle justice. We make space for His work instead of trying to control outcomes ourselves. Grace allows us to live in peace even when we are treated unfairly.

Sharing in Joy and Sorrow

Paul then writes, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” When someone experiences success or happiness, love celebrates with them. When someone is grieving or struggling, love does not turn away, it sits beside them and shares the pain. There is an old saying: “A joy shared is a joy doubled, and a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.” When believers share one another’s experiences, the church becomes more than an organization, it becomes a family.

Seeing People Through God’s Eyes

Caring for others often means stepping toward people the world overlooks. A mature believer learns not to chase influence but to look for those who are missing. Every person you meet carries eternal value. There are no small lives in the eyes of God. When we see people as image-bearers of their Creator, we no longer treat them as interruptions or burdens. We see them as opportunities to reflect Christ’s love. We are called to run toward people in need, not away from them.

The Work of Restoration

Part of our calling as the church is to make broken lives whole again. This does not mean fixing people on our own but helping them encounter the One who can. A caring church is not focused on fame or influence. It looks for those who need love and welcomes them. It replaces pride with service, and judgment with compassion. It remembers that no one is too far gone for grace.