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March 2003 Table of Contents
Special Feature
Changing Lives To Change The World
By Roger Breland, TRUTH/University of Mobile
For the past 31 years I have traveled...and traveled...and traveled. Today it is hard for me to believe that TRUTH actually presented 10,000 concerts around the world. I remember standing before royalty in Africa, being invited to a closed meeting with Russian religious leaders at the Kremlin in Moscow, and enduring an outdoor concert on a flatbed fertilizer truck in Mississippi. In Manila, I witnessed 20,000 individuals make first-time decisions for Christ while attending TRUTH concerts. Each decision was "followed up" by a member of a local church in Manila.
The pastor, David Sumrall, was saved in a TRUTH concert in Fairhope, Alabama, in the 1970's. It has always surprised me that God would choose to use me. Had it been my decision, I would have chosen someone more gifted and talented. I find all of this so incredible!
Over the years, I have worked with 400 young adults in TRUTH. What a challenge it was to lead young leaders! They were talented and raw; yet, they were filled with energy and excitement. Most of them today are serving in churches, or they are successful musical artists and decision makers...all of them changing their world for Christ. But TRUTH has always been about more than just music. In the 1990s we raised funds to assist in building the largest worship center in Eastern Europe, at the Second Baptist Church of Oradea, Romania. Presently, we are completing the construction of two hospitals in Africa for children with leprosy. They will be called the TRUTH Hospitals. And two years ago, TRUTH was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. WOW...all of this sounds like a God thing to me!
In 1971, my wife Linda and I had no idea we were starting down a path that would allow us to touch the world. Little did we realize how this decision to leave home and go on the road would give us a vision of the world, and 31 years later bring us back home to Mobile. My friend, Dr. Mark Foley, president of the University of Mobile, has invited me to be a part of this Christian university. My new role is "artist in residence" and assistant to the president. Specifically, I will work in the area of Fine Arts and recruiting. UM is a Baptist-affiliated university whose vision is "Changing Lives to Change the World." The idea is that each of us has a sphere of influence with our families, colleagues and in our everyday activities. In each of these places, we touch lives. An extra moment taken to smile at the checkout clerk or a simple "thank you" can significantly change someone's day. Today's world is looking for people who are willing to be salt and light, and go the extra mile to stand for what is right.
In the case of the University of Mobile, and in our role as worship leaders, "Changing Lives to Change the World" has even greater meaning. Why? Because we are commissioned with the task of changing the world for Christ! "When our graduates leave here and go out in the workforce," says Dr. Foley, "you will find them to be persons of character who know how to think, who know what is right, who have the courage to live and work according to their beliefs and who have the willingness and skill to use their influence in appropriate and effective ways to change the world around them. That's how you change a city, and change a nation, and it's how you change the world."
The guys from 4HIM were in TRUTH for several years. A local reporter wrote a story about the guys receiving an award from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and as they received the award, Mark Harris commented, "we owe a lot of thanks to Roger." Mark went on to tell the reporter about the lessons they had learned and experience they gained with TRUTH. The guys did not have to say "thanks," but it said much about who they are and why God has blessed their ministry.
My life has been spent working with young, talented musicians. Some, like Mark and the guys with 4HIM, let you know the impact you have had on their lives. Today I am thinking about Dick and Mel Tunney, Kim Noblitt, Michael Adler, Alicia, Jody McBrayer, Jason Breland and hundreds of others. Being on a college campus has allowed me to realize the continued impact I can have on young people. The professors at the University of Mobile talk about world-changing in their classes. In business classes they talk about making ethical business decisions. In nursing and education, they talk about Christian caring and compassion. Across the curriculum, they teach students that Christian leadership isn't limited to leadership in the church. The world needs Christians in all careers.
We have a unique undergraduate program at the University of Mobile, operated in conjunction with Integrity Worship Institute, which is preparing the next generation of worship leaders. This Worship Leadership degree is providing college students with the theological and practical skills needed to lead congregations. The program combines courses in the university's School of Religion with practical modular courses focusing on worship leadership taught by Integrity's internationally known worship leaders, ministers and teachers such as Don Moen and Pete Sanchez, Jr. With a solid Biblical grounding and great practical lessons from some of the most outstanding worship leaders, these college students are getting ready to change the world.
I believe the relationships with Dr. Foley, Integrity Worship Institute, and the faculty and staff of the University of Mobile are paving the way for a new generation of worship leaders who will be given the opportunity to determine the future of the Christian music industry and the local church.
It is important for you to know that something significant is happening at the University of Mobile. I will be delighted to speak with you personally or assist in your local church concerning this new degree program. You can reach me via phone at (251) 442-2201, or via e-mail to: RogerBreland@aol.com. Most of all, I wanted to let you know that God is working and lives are being impacted on our campus. Come join us in "Changing Lives to Change the World."
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