Musicians on mission in South Texas

Posted: 8/19/05

Musicians on mission in South Texas

By David Wilkinson

Special to the Baptist Standard

HARLINGEN–Musical talent and a heart for missions were on display as high school students from churches across the state gathered in South Texas for the 2005 Texas Baptist All-State Music & Missions event.

During a hectic and intensely hot week this summer, 89 students participated in daily rehearsals led by faculty members of two Texas Baptist colleges and hands-on ministries coordinated by the Valley Baptist Missions Education Center and Buckner Border Ministries.

The teenagers, who successfully auditioned for the choir or band, came from 43 Baptist congregations. The annual event was created as a ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to provide “motivating, inspirational and life-changing experiences” for students from Texas Baptist churches, organizers explained.

In daily visits to four Boys and Girls Clubs in Harlingen, the young people used music, group activities, conversation and laughter to touch the lives of children in the community. Over the weekend, the choir, band and handbell ensemble performed two concerts and led a Sunday worship service.

“The opportunity to work with outstanding young musicians who are also committed believers is priceless,” said Tim Studstill, director of the BGCT's Center for Music & Worship, which sponsors the event.

Shane Boswell from First Baptist Church in Paris praised the Harlingen missions project as the best of his three all-state experiences.

“Mexico (last year) was awesome, but something about this year was different,” he said. “I really enjoyed our work at the Boys and Girls Clubs and seeing how we can affect lives by just showing a little bit of love.”

“Despite the hot weather, I would say the week was perfect,” added Ashley Green from Acton Baptist Church near Granbury. “I was so blessed to spend a week with other Christian kids and to grow closer to Christ through beautiful music.”

For Zachary Mosby from Hampton Road Baptist Church in DeSoto, “The greatest thing about the trip is the way it brings together students with the same heart for God and allows them to see God at work in their individual lives.” Mosby returned home with a new sense of excitement about “what God has in store for my life,” he said.

Choral director for the week was Monte Garrett of Howard Payne University. Band director and assistant director, respectively, were Tom Webster and Brent Farmer of East Texas Baptist University. Handbell director was Jerald Garner of Southmont Baptist Church in Denton. Accompanist was Gena Corley of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas.

Next summer, Texas Baptist All-State will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a week on the campus of Dallas Baptist University that will conclude with a joint concert performed by the 2006 all-state participants and alumni from previous years. The July 15 concert will be hosted by First Baptist Church in Grapevine.

For more information about Texas Baptist All-State Music & Missions, contact Debbie Smith at the BGCT Center for Music and Worship at (214) 828-5237 or debbie.smith@bgct.org.