Sometimes people who enjoy Southern Gospel music find themselves in discussions polarized to whether the singers are supposed to be entertaining OR ministering.
Some of us believe it’s possible for both outcomes to take place in the same concert.
That was the case at Christian Center, where about 300 music lovers welcomed Liberty Quartet back to Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 4, for the first time in too long. It was a milestone event, in one way, with a new tenor making his first official start with the Boise-based group. That, of course, provided baritone singer Jordan Cragun the opportunity to shed “the new guy” label he’d carried for a couple of years, something he relished.
Liberty is smooth and solid, the only full-time western-based professional quartet traveling America’s highways, and catching notice in the southeast and east.
They comfortably made themselves at home in Kalispell, with a receptive audience that recalled good concerts from earlier days. Bass singer Royce Mitchell, who owns the group, was featured on the opening song, Wedding Music, followed by new tenor Phillip Batton on Living in Grace. Batton succeeded Keith Waggoner, who left the group to become senior pastor of a church in the Boise area after five years on the road.
After Dan Gilbert took the lead on Climbing for Higher Ground, Batton came back on Glory to God in the Highest, which showed off his higher-pitched pipes, and Cragun took over a reprise of the song.
Then came Say It Again, Grandpa Was a Preacher Man, and Long Black Train.
A slow and simple a capella Going Home drew a standing ovation, followed by local pianist Helen Jones taking the keyboard for the classic test for tenor singers, Oh What a Savior; Batton passed the test.
The Gospel Plow – the blue-grass version complete with hill-billy apparel – drew its usual laughter, to conclude the first half.
Ride that Glory Train opened the second half, followed by How Great Thou Art and Cragun’s lead on He’s Been There, Too. Gilbert took the lead on Call It Amazing, which was followed by Amazing Grace and Glory to God in the Highest. Good Time in the Lord concluded the concert.
After the close, a young woman came forward, concerned whether the Lord would welcome her back after some life choices that had taken her far afield.
I reminded her of the parable of the prodigal son, who was slopping pigs –something that was about as low as a Jewish boy could do — when he came to his senses and headed home, willing to work as a hired man for his father. As he headed home, his father saw him “when he was a far off,” and went to greet him. That, I told her, was evidence that God was looking for her, too, to welcome her back.
At that point, Kayleen Kohler, one of our board members, stepped in to talk and pray with the young lady, who left the building knowing she was restored.
In microcosm, it was a moment that demonstrated why the Montana Gospel Music Association does what we do – sponsor concerts for edification and entertainment, as well as reaching out to those in spiritual need. And every person who helps us sponsor these events shares in these rewards.
Review by Dean Conklin.
