Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and took a guess at the two pictures I posted here. In the end, no one could beat the accuracy of Michael Cates, Worship Pastor of our sister church, Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. It’s not because he knows me so well (although we have known each other for years, and he’s indirectly responsible for Heidi and I meeting!) but because he is also an ex-Con… That’s what we affectionately call ex-Continentals… The Continental Singers are a Christian music group that started in 1967 and each year travels all over the world sharing the gospel through relevant music and drama. I think Michael was a part of the Continentals in its inaugural year. Just kidding, Michael! I think it was a few years later. (smile)
Micheal accurately picked me out of the crowd in the first picture - the unfortunate soul in the black muscle shirt on the right. Who would ever wear something like that in public?!? And in the second picture, yes that’s me providing the seated profile in the front. Obviously, we were goofballs. I’ll claim being a teenager as my disclaimer.
The year was 1989. We were on “Tour Y”. Michael was four years off (he guessed 1993), but other than my mom, he was the closest. (sorry, mom, you were not eligible for the prize package.)
Darren Scuffi, who in the second picture known as “Tour Y Studs” is directly to my left in some kind of mid-pounce pose, recently came across Heart Soul and Might and after 17 years, sent me some pictures! (Darren… your pose seems SO uncomfortable. What were you thinking?!) This tour was such a blast, and we took part in some very meaningful ministry. Honestly, this Continental tour was highly instrumental in my calling into ministry.
For those of you from Fellowship-Brentwood wondering why someone else in the first picture looks so familiar, no, it’s not Amy Grant… It’s our very own Jennifer McReynolds (formerly Hendrix) on the far left in the cool stripes. It’s neat how we get to serve in the same worship ministry after all these years!
If there are any of you other Tour Y-ers out there, drop me a comment. Or a picture. Or both. I’d love to hear from you!
This is the beauty of the internet (to some I guess its a curse)when you can look up old friends. First of all, I will attribute my funny pose due to the fact that I was the only Canadian on tour Y and of course we Canadians are just “different”. (never mind the fact I was just a dork back then….hmmm maybe still am).
The group picture was at my parents home. We were celebrating my Mom’s bday and my bday on the 4th of July that day. We had just finished a concert the night before in my home town and had everyone over for a party. (Right there we are singing “The Reason We Sing” to my mom. Wow, talk about a divine appointment. Actually, where it gets really incredible is that my Grampa dedicated his life to Christ that night at our concert. We (The tour)were praying for him leading up to that night and when he stepped forward I was in tears….talk about joy unspeakable. I still have the video and can see several tour members trying to hold themselves together during the last song “He is exalted” Praise God!
Thanks for posting them Brian….I scared my wife half to death when I showed her your site and realized you put them up. Looking forward to joining the many believers who read what Gods puts on your heart. Email me.