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the second of four daughters, all of whom grew up singing in mothers children's choir at Midway Methodist Church in Douglasville, Ga. "Mamma was so happy when she heard me singing harmony.
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She home schooled most of the time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bruce and Gay have been AWANA leaders for six years, and Bruce was commander for four of those years. Gay worked in Orientation and Entrance, an original class that she created. She was later asked by the Awana Headquarters to teach this new class at the Leadership Conference every year in San Antonio, Texas. |
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| "For many, many years I and four kids waved good-bye to Bruce
as he traveled with The Song of Glory. It was a real treat
when I could gather up all four and go hear them". God has always
used the Song of Glory to prepare people for other ministries, many of
them full time. We've watched as God prepared full time ministers,
evangelists, drama ministries, and music minister, youth ministers, even
christian school administrators have become fruit of The Song of Glory.
I truly believe God keeps Bruce right where he is, to keep the Song of
Glory focused on its original purpose... to MINISTER !
"There's a lot to be said for a groups integrity... SOG has only canceled three times in 21 years, and that was due to illness. So when we agree to sing somewhere, we will be there. I've heard of some groups asking major amounts of money for bookings... we don't even ask for a love offering! I have been that woman, sitting in her pew every sunday, desperately needing encouragement, a new song in my heart... the thought of being denied that song because our church was "too small" to offer someone a big enough offering to come and sing it, well, that just breaks my heart! The Song of Glory was originally formed to accompany a local celeb, Marsha Knippa. What a tremendous talent! When she went on to meet our Lord, the group continued to minister, and as members have joined and left over the years, some mighty strong bonds of love have resulted. Most of the members remain on the board of directors, even after they are called to other ministries. They all express their deep desire to remain at least a part of SOG... and we all get together for a yearly meeting. And believe me, getting some of these pranksters together and sharing road trip stories can keep you in stitches and laughing for years! I think the Twenty Year Reunion, in February 2001, really showed me just how God has anointed SOG for all these years. The love and reverence everyone has for the time they spent with SOG opened my eyes to just how much of a tool SOG has been, in His service. Hearing everyone sing together again, well, there weren't many dry eyes in the house. I never dreamed I'd ever be singing in SOG. I was just a SOG wife, happy to support her husband in his ministry. But when Bruce asked me to sing with them after Wade and Jennifer were called into full time ministry, and Ty was ordained and went into full time ministry, and Jerral and Pam got the opportunity to branch off and form Reunion, well, I sure didn't hesitate! It is such an honor to be a part of a vessel so available to God's service. I know I can never fill some of the shoes that have gone before me, but I thank God for the privilege of serving. Then when Deby joined, I had no idea I'd come to think of her as another one of my sisters, but she is! I love her very deeply, and know that God allowed me to serve alongside her so I could feed off her enthusiasm and encouragement, and I wouldn't trade a single one of her "blonde moments" for anything! You simply can't do this type of service without a sense of humor, and Deby fits right in and fills the void. When we join hands in prayer I can feel Gods presence, and it just doesn't get any better than that! If folks are looking for entertainment, or a show, they aren't looking for us. We are not entertainers. We love The Lord, and we've committed the talents He gave us to His service. We truly love the fellowship we find in each and every church we are invited to. Sharing the beautiful music and songs God has given us for encouragement and support of the saints... touching, and being touched by testimonies... these are just a few of the abundant blessings and joy God has given us. It's a lot of work, behind the scenes, but so very worth it. I think everyone has a favorite old hymn, and we can all glean from new songs that minister to us when we are in a valley. I've always loved southern gospel music, even before Bill Gaither started having homecomings. And its really fun when we find a song we can put the "SOG touch" on, re-arranging a little here and there to make it our own. Just one song can mean so very much, to a wounded heart, a
weary spirit, or someone in a private tribulation...
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