2009 in Review - 2010 in View

 

2009 was a year of change (Extreme Makeover) and challenge for The Apostles.  Personnel changes resulted in the loss of bass singer, Steve Williams, who departed to organize his own gospel quartet, The Voyagers; and Daran Robertson departed in order to devote more time to his career and family.  The Lord was gracious to send Anthony Minor our way and with him, a new sound and more extended repertoire of songs & arrangements.  It has been a year of growing into this new sound, and audiences have welcomed Anthony as the new lead vocalist, allowing Rick to drop back to the baritone part on most arrangements.  More importantly, the new songs we have been able to offer have brought a new expression of worship & praise to our concert services.

 

While the personnel changes have reduced The Apostles from a quartet back to a trio, the format has been a welcomed change and one that has in no way hindered our progress.  True bass singers seem a rarity in today's gospel music world, but we are not closed to considering the addition and return to the tradition quartet format.  It remains our prayer that God will lead us to just the right person, in both vocal ability and heart commitment, to enhance our sound and ministry.

 

It has been especially meaningful for The Apostles to work more and more with a core group of regional artists in a growing number of venues across the state - The Crusaders, Heaven's Echoes, Hawkins Family, Cross Point, Hallelujah Harmony Quartet, and the Velvet Ridge Singers.  These have joined an ever expanding roster of other groups as we participate together in the quartet and gospel music conventions planned annually across the state.  God is blessing these concert services with a renewed support in attendance, revival and spiritual awakening among both artists and participants.  We are excited to see these opportunities expand during 2010.

 

The Apostles have not released a recording since 2004.  We are currently gathering music and arrangements to enter the studio early in the year in an effort to introduce a new recording by the Spring.

 

While we enjoy the culture of southern gospel music and the traditional ways in which artists and audiences have embraced it through the years, we grow more and more oriented toward specific ministry objectives with our concert programs.  We are burdened to see people come to Christ as a result of our ministry.  We desire to help edify and encourage the church in her kingdom service.  We seek to encourage pastors, staff ministers and lay leaders in their service for God.  We want to be an impetus through which God can usher revival and spiritual-awakening to His people.  In these efforts, it is our prayer that God will expand our ministry to include preaching, teaching and evangelistic/mission endeavors.  We always want to be humble and available to His leadership and use.