Posted: 8/8/03
| The All-State Choir and Orchestra performs at Westbury Baptist Church in Houston. |
All-State musicians hoist
a tune and a tool on mission
HOUSTON–Ministry harmonized with music this year as the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Orchestra took on a new emphasis.
In addition to rehearsals and performances, the 169 high school students selected for the All-State group devoted a day to hands-on ministry in a variety of settings.
“We began seeing the need to change the emphasis from performance to missions for the students,” explained Debbie Smith, one of the event's organizers. “Our role is not only to equip them for music ministry. We want to instill in them that what we do with our God-given talent is more than just singing; it's getting in the midst of people with your hands and your heart.”
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| Blake Owens of First Baptist Church in New Braunfels serves at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Houston. |
More than 400 students auditioned for the All-State Choir and Orchestra. The 169 selected received notification in January, along with music to practice.
The musicians arrived on the campus of Houston Baptist University July 6 for a series of rehearsals before hitting the road to perform.
On Wednesday morning, however, they boarded four buses bound for ministry sites.
One bus stopped at the Green Acres Nursing Home of Baytown, where students ministered to the elderly and sick.
They strolled up and down the halls, knocking on each resident's door, extending invitations to “story time.” Students pushed newfound friends in wheelchairs or walked hand-in-hand with them toward the great room to hear the weekly Wednesday morning story. After the story, students helped blow up balloons, in preparation for the morning's “exercise” of balloon volleyball. Before loading the buses for campus again, the students also led the residents in a variety of singing exercises.
On Friday morning, the musicians loaded the buses again for a morning of mission work in Houston. This time, however, the entire group departed for the same destination, the Salvation Army Church and Boys & Girls Club of Houston.
Children of all ages filed into the pews as the All-State group gathered on stage to perform. Laughter and enthusiasm were contagious throughout the room, as the children begged the choir to keep leading them in songs like “Father Abraham.”
“I like the addition of the missions,” said Julie Moore, a senior from Highland Baptist Church of Greenville. “We are a lot busier this year, but it is so rewarding to see the kids' faces when we play with them.”
“The students have been excited about the mission aspect of the week,” Smith concurred. “In a seemingly 'me' society, we are pushing our youth to be more service oriented, experiencing life and situations in all economic and social backgrounds.”
Meanwhle, the All-State group prepared for several concerts, including stops at Westbury Baptist Church of Houston, Williams Trace Baptist Church of Sugar Land and Park Place Baptist Church of Houston.
The choir also visited Minute Maid Park, where they led Astros fans in the National Anthem and then stayed to watch the game.
The group also performed at the grand opening of First Baptist Church of Baytown's sanctuary, where a live recording was made.
Next year's All-State event, scheduled for July 1-9, will offer another new dimension, with additional days touring in Mexico City.
“We hope to cultivate the talent the Lord has blessed these kids with; they will become our future music ministers and children's music leaders,” said Glenn Jones, Baptist General Convention of Texas consultant.
Reported by Kambry Bickings of Texas Baptist Communications
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