MARSHALL—Members of the Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band shared their faith through song and deed July 7-14.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored high school student group performed a series of benefit concerts and invested time with the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines.
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Leslie Byrd of First Baptist Church in New Braunfels paints faces. View a slideshow from the event here. (PHOTOS/Tim Studstill/BGCT)
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Through their actions, the choir and band attempted to share the hope of Christ with each person they encountered, said Tim Studstill, BGCT director of music and worship, who leads the All-State program. The BGCT is in the midst of Texas Hope 2010, an initiative to share the gospel with every Texan by Easter 2010.
“This brings to-gether students that are strong musically and strong spiritually,” Studstill said. “It brings together a passion for musical excellence and ministry to share the good news of Jesus Christ.”
The concerts raised money for a variety of ministries and social organizations. A performance at First Baptist Church in New Boston contributed roughly $1,600 for the Telford Prison Ministry’s effort to build a place where family members can stay overnight when they visit imprisoned family members. Currently, some families are sleeping in their cars when they visit family because they cannot afford to pay for a hotel.
Julie Studstill of Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington hugs a young girl during a block party at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines.
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At First Baptist Church in Rusk, a concert raised about $600 for the ministerial alliance benevolence fund. A performance at East Texas Baptist University brought in $800 for the Marshall clothes closet, Marshall food pantry and the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines. The audience also donated clothes, food and school supplies for people in need.
The Boys and Girls Club assistance took on additional meaning for the students, Studstill said. The choir and band also spent some time with youth there, conducting a block party with face painting, inflatable attractions and food.
“The students loved doing that,” Studstill said. “It was their favorite part.”
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The students rounded out the week by performing at Six Flags Over Texas in Ar-lington. The students’ ministry there provided an opportunity to start conversations with people they encountered. Through those interactions, students shared their faith as well as information about the choir and band.
“That was a great opportunity,” Studstill said.
For more information about getting involved in next year’s All-State Choir and Band, visit www.bgct.org/allstate. For more information about Texas Hope 2010, visit www.texashope2010.com.
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