Randy Travis: "Music Ministry... Is that what you call what I'm
doin'?"
"Listening and experiencing Randy's performance was
certainly all I had expected and more... but little did I expect
that I would be impacted by something in a more profound
way..." We had been waiting for this day for a month. Being
big Randy Travis fans, my family and I arrived at the concert
two hours before they opened the doors to let folks in... making
sure we would get primo seats. Of course we were in the first
dozen folks to get there. (This is a common Lingner practice as
we were the first folks at Super Bowl XXVI when my brother Adam
was playing in it.) I have always liked Randy, but in the past
year this "liking" has turned into a full fledged admiration for
him as he now uses his gifts for the Lord. I've plum wore out
his last two CD's "Rise and Shine" and "Worship and Faith."
You have to understand that my family all plays traditional
instruments. I play banjo, guitar, harmonica, a little mandolin
and just about anything with strings on it. (I even "fiddle"
around a little.) My oldest daughter Laura(11)plays accordian
and a little fiddle, my second daughter Summer(10) plays fiddle
and a little mandolin, my son Christian(8) plays mandolin and a
little banjo, my son Teddy(6) just picked up dobro, Andrew(4)
plays shaker... and my one year old Nathan just kinda bounces up
and down while we play. We play old-time traditional tunes and
hymns, thus our appreciation for Randy Travis' accoustic music,
and down home country style.
They let us into the concert about an hour before show time. We
talked amongst ourselves, constantly discussing our excitement
at the opportunity to hear and see Randy sing. Then the highly
anticipated moment finally arrived. Randy came out, picked up
his jumbo body accoustic and began to play and sing. He sounds
just as good in concert as he does on his recording... his
smooth voice sliding easily from the bass register to the tenor
range... in that way only Randy Travis can do it. I couldn't
believe it, here I was watching Randy Travis in an intimate
setting, almost like he was in my living room.
Listening and experiencing Randy's performance was certainly all
I had expected and more... but little did I expect that I would
be impacted by something in a more profound way...
Midway through the performance, Randy took a break from playing
to have an interview with First Family Church's Pastor, Jerry
Johnston and his wife Christie. Randy proceeded to give his
testimony.... of growing up as an angry, rowdy youth... often in
trouble with the law and under the influence of mind altering
substances. He was shootin' straight... he wasn't trying to fool
anyone here... making you think he's is something he's not. I
had heard Randy's testimony before, so that was no real shock to
me. Then he shared how the Lord had impacted his life. How
admittedly by fate, God was using his gifts for His glory. He
was actually taken back the first time he heard someone call his
church performances "music ministry"... he said to himself...
"music ministry... is that what you call what I'm doin'?". Then
he presented the Gospel... quoted a few verses... nothing
fancy... and I hate to say it, but it almost seemed boring and
monotonous to me.
Then the amazing thing happened....
Jerry Johnston took the microphone, and asked if anyone would
like to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. And you
know what ... they did. I think it is safe to say that 75-100
people accepted Christ that night. I was awestruck. There was no
fancy preaching... a simple story... and a short Gospel message.
But the fields were ripe for harvest. It was a reminder to me
that sometimes all we need to do is ask. Some sow, and some reap
the harvest.
Sure it was a great concert. But it wasn't the experience of the
music which continued to resonate with me after I left. It was
the impact of a soul who has given his talents to the Lord for
His use. Randy Travis ain't just singin' anymore... he's doin'
music ministry...