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Septebmer 2004 Table of Contents
Off The Top Of My Head
Passing Out Roses Which Are Much Overdue
By Jerry Evans
 I have not used this column to sing the praises of J & J very much. How ever there comes a time when some outstanding work needs to be recognized. Gatlinburg has always been one of our best conferences but we felt that it just needed something to give it a boost. Melinda and Kirk spent hours, days, even weeks discussing ways to do just that and the results of their efforts were evident in a big way.
We began Monday afternoon at 1:00 with an incredible premier (yep an adult choir premier at 1:00 in the afternoon) of a super Christmas work called "Great Joy" presented by Dr. Wendell Boertje and the fine choir from Central Baptist in Knoxville. What a way to kick off the conference. They were outstanding. I won't try to go through the entire schedule but we had one surprise after another. Tuesday afternoon we took a break with a wonderful comedian named Robert G. Lee. Everybody went to dinner with a great big grin on their face. Wednesday afternoon brought us a new optional feature we called "Traditional Music Wednesday" which was an experiment to see how many of the registrants would like to read some new music from the more Liturgical music companies. We were more than encouraged by the response. We're already planning some for January.
The one thing unique to a J & J conference is our worship times. We had possibly the best preachers and worship leaders in the country with us. It was evident that Bro's Herb Reavis, Ron Stewart, and Bobby Tucker had put much time and prayer into the messages they brought to us because every one of them seemed to give us just what we needed for that day. Tom Hartley, our Master of Ceremonies told me that he needed the messages a whole lot more than he needed the music. Pastors, we thank you, you kept us focused.
Premiers and artists are always a major part of our conferences but this year they were spectacular. Two choirs traveled quite a distance to come and sing for us. Tim Wright brought his choir from Cinco Baptist Church in Ft. Walton Beach, FL to let us hear the new Christmas work from Randy Vader and Jay Rouse called "Comfort and Joy." After the musical, Randy was smiling from ear to ear. Super job! The choir from Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover, NC directed by Mike Daughtry blessed us with the new Christmas work from Word called "One of Us." Thanks Mike! Then Gordon Alford, whom I have known, along with his lovely wife Donna, for at least as long as we have been in business brought the choir from Valley Grove Baptist Church in Knoxville. As I have already said, I've known Gordon a long time and he's a rather laid back, conservative type guy. They presented Richie Kingsmore's new Christmas work called ‘In the Fullness of Time." When the Shepherds came out doing their "Staying Alive" imitation, the place came apart. I was standing by Richie and he loved it. He started making notes to send to people who might do the work. You need to listen to it to see it really works. But Gordon Alford?? Donna, we're gonna have to pray for that boy!!! We had three premiers presented by the choir that recorded the works. I don't believe that's ever been done before. Patty Pritchard brought the wonderful choir from Midway Macedonia Baptist Church, Villa Rica GA, who along with Mike Speck and the Mike Speck Trio blessed our hearts with Mike's new book from Lillenas. Their ministry touched our hearts and lives. Patty, we're indebted to you and your folk. Jeff Brockelman and the Grace Baptist Church Choir from Knoxville came in to present Geron Davis' new work, "Closer," leaving us with the understanding that these folk know how to lead worship. Great work Geron and choir! Thanks again Jeff, you bless us each year. Greater Vision led us to the throne one night, (if anybody ever asks you can these guys share Jesus, just tell them "uh huh" because there are not enough words to explain it) and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra left us at least a mile high on another. Then came Thursday and what a way to end a week. Our Children's choir camp had the highest registration ever, over 80 kids, led by the master, Celeste Clydesdale, performed her new work "Angel Alert" like a group of professionals. I know there are great children's choir directors and writers other than Celeste but I can't imagine anyone being able to pull the sound and performance out of a group after only 4 days like what we heard that evening. Those kids were great and I'd put them up next to anybody. We followed that with the magnificent Christ Church Choir with Landy and Joy Gardner presenting their new work that they had not even performed for their church. This work was so new the ink was still wet on the books. They took us to the gates of glory and allowed us to end our conference praising Him for what we had seen and what He had done.
I told someone the other day that there might have been other conferences that were as good, but I don't know of one. Melinda and Kirk deserve our thanks and our praise for a job done not just well, but beyond all expectations and probably even belief.
Now they are even working harder on the conferences coming in January. With the excitement of the new home for our Houston conference comes the need for even greater things. I've heard some of the plans and I have to tell you if I were you I would get my reservation in now and be prepared to experience our Savior and go back charged up for a new year.
Jerry
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