Music and missions go hand in hand for Tyler native

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TYLER—For singer/songwriter Shaun Groves, who grew up attending First Baptist Church in Tyler and studied music at Baylor University in Waco, music and missions go hand in hand.

"When it came time to choose an elective in middle school, it was either Spanish, homemaking, shop class or band," Groves said. "My parents had a saxophone in the attic that we stored for a relative, so I joined the band. There was no deep thought about it. 

By partnering with Compassion International, Shaun Groves hopes his concerts will inspire young adults to reach out and make a difference in the lives of other people.

"Surprisingly, I wound up being good enough that I earned a music scholarship to attend Baylor University. It was during college that I realized just how powerful music is—how it can connect people and helps them to communicate in ways that you can't with spoken words." 

Today, as Groves performs concerts around the country, he desires to use his musical platform to encourage audiences to help meet needs in Jesus' name.

By partnering with Compassion International, a child-sponsorship organization dedicated to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of children living in poverty around the world, Groves hopes his concerts will inspire young adults to reach out and make a difference in the lives of other people.

During a mission trip to El Salvador in 2005, Groves was moved when he saw firsthand the impact of these sponsorships. Since then, Groves has been on several trips with Compassion International and will take an upcoming trip with the group to Ecuador.

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"That first trip was a very eye-opening experience for me," Groves said.  "When I met one of the children that I sponsor in El Salvador, I learned that her father was an alcoholic and a gang leader. My family and I had been praying daily for this little girl, unaware of the circumstances surrounding her story. Two years later, her father came to faith in Christ and was able to lead other gang leaders to the Lord. Their lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel because they saw Christ's love displayed through the kindness of strangers." 


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Groves' desire to emphasize missions also has influenced his songwriting. Each song on his latest album, Third World Symphony, is based on Scripture and reflects Jesus' calling to help people in need.

"I look back at my life before that first trip to El Salvador and realize that I was missing half the gospel," Groves said. "I knew what I was saved from but didn't grasp what I was saved for. Now, I realize there's a greater purpose and greater calling as we share Christ's love by being his hands and feet."


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