"Listening and experiencing Randy's performance was certainly all I had expected and more... but little did I expect that I would be impacted by something in a more profound way..."

We had been waiting for this day for a month. Being big Randy Travis fans, my family and I arrived at the concert two hours before they opened the doors to let folks in... making sure we would get primo seats. Of course we were in the first dozen folks to get there. (This is a common Lingner practice as we were the first folks at Super Bowl XXVI when my brother Adam was playing in it.) I have always liked Randy, but in the past year this "liking" has turned into a full fledged admiration for him as he now uses his gifts for the Lord. I've plum wore out his last two CD's "Rise and Shine" and "Worship and Faith."

You have to understand that my family all plays traditional instruments. I play banjo, guitar, harmonica, a little mandolin and just about anything with strings on it. (I even "fiddle" around a little.) My oldest daughter Laura(11)plays accordian and a little fiddle, my second daughter Summer(10) plays fiddle and a little mandolin, my son Christian(8) plays mandolin and a little banjo, my son Teddy(6) just picked up dobro, Andrew(4) plays shaker... and my one year old Nathan just kinda bounces up and down while we play. We play old-time traditional tunes and hymns, thus our appreciation for Randy Travis' accoustic music, and down home country style.

They let us into the concert about an hour before show time. We talked amongst ourselves, constantly discussing our excitement at the opportunity to hear and see Randy sing. Then the highly anticipated moment finally arrived. Randy came out, picked up his jumbo body accoustic and began to play and sing. He sounds just as good in concert as he does on his recording... his smooth voice sliding easily from the bass register to the tenor range... in that way only Randy Travis can do it. I couldn't believe it, here I was watching Randy Travis in an intimate setting, almost like he was in my living room.

Listening and experiencing Randy's performance was certainly all I had expected and more... but little did I expect that I would be impacted by something in a more profound way...

Midway through the performance, Randy took a break from playing to have an interview with First Family Church's Pastor, Jerry Johnston and his wife Christie. Randy proceeded to give his testimony.... of growing up as an angry, rowdy youth... often in trouble with the law and under the influence of mind altering substances. He was shootin' straight... he wasn't trying to fool anyone here... making you think he's is something he's not. I had heard Randy's testimony before, so that was no real shock to me. Then he shared how the Lord had impacted his life. How admittedly by fate, God was using his gifts for His glory. He was actually taken back the first time he heard someone call his church performances "music ministry"... he said to himself... "music ministry... is that what you call what I'm doin'?". Then he presented the Gospel... quoted a few verses... nothing fancy... and I hate to say it, but it almost seemed boring and monotonous to me.

Then the amazing thing happened....

Jerry Johnston took the microphone, and asked if anyone would like to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. And you know what ... they did. I think it is safe to say that 75-100 people accepted Christ that night. I was awestruck. There was no fancy preaching... a simple story... and a short Gospel message. But the fields were ripe for harvest. It was a reminder to me that sometimes all we need to do is ask. Some sow, and some reap the harvest.

Sure it was a great concert. But it wasn't the experience of the music which continued to resonate with me after I left. It was the impact of a soul who has given his talents to the Lord for His use. Randy Travis ain't just singin' anymore... he's doin' music ministry...

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