The Journeymen Quartet

by Keith Colbert

I had been looking forward to Sunday night for several weeks because Southern Gospel Music has always been a part of my life. It can be said that “I have an ear for music” because I love listening to it. However, I have not been able to generate any type of music on my own.

The comforting thought about Southern Gospel is basically that it was the primary music I heard during my years of growing up on the farm. As a result, I have some very fond memories of home, family, and friends, which are naturally associated with gospel music.

My introduction to gospel music was in the early 1950’s when my Mom and Dad took me to an “All Night” gospel quartet sing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. You really have to enjoy music to stay up all night and listen to it!

I really believe the reason I enjoy gospel music so much today is because of the memories I can associate with it. There is a joy and peace that comes over me and it really is hard to explain, but it is a pleasant experience.

As I reflect on Sunday night with The Journeymen, it was special to me in many ways:

• Becky and I were able to worship and sit together as a family with Jonathan and Kristi, Madison and Brayden , and that’s always very special.
  
• Six of our dear friends were able to come from their home church and worship with us.
  
• The Journeymen did an outstanding job of leading us in worship
  
• It was great to see almost 500* in attendance at Sunday night worship with 85 to 90% being close to my age.

As the name implies (gospel quartet), the Journeymen really did present the gospel message in song to us. Don’t you imagine we will have just a little southern gospel when we get to heaven?

* Editorial note:A love offering of $1,650 was received.

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