By Bryant Thigpen
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   What started some 30 years ago is still going strong today. Throughout history, many groups have come and gone, but the Masters have been a backbone, a mainstay in southern gospel music. The Masters have been carrying the same message across the Southeast coast from Florida to West Virginia, ministering to audiences of all sizes.
   The Masters started some 30 years ago after the disbandment of the group, The Watchmen of Valdosta, Ga. The Masters began with the lineup consisting of Sylvia Amert, Ramona Sprenkle, Charles Coppage, Hal Sprenkle, Charles Hollingsworth, Dick Bateman and Murrell Bennett.
   While in a phone conversation with Mrs. Amert, she shared stories of how the road life was during the years of the Masters. “When the Masters first started, I was the only one with a job, which made traveling tough, but we always trusted God to supply our needs. We never set a fee or charged to sing,” stated Amert.
   Amert shared of when the Masters were called to sing in Phoenix City, Alabama, and the church was raising funds to purchase new songbooks. She felt led to give the church back their traveling expense money (offering), which was a total of $118.72. They weren’t sure how they would get home, but she obeyed God by giving back the offering. The following week, they were called to sing for a funeral at Carson McLane Funeral Home in Georgia, and for coming and singing at the funeral, they presented them with a check of $118.72. God always supplied the needs of the Masters.
   After talking more with Sylvia Amert, she began to share some history of the group in the beginning years. “It was nothing to sing three to five dates every weekend. We never took time off until the kids got older and married,” Amert stated.  The Masters in the 70’s and 80’s were one of the busiest part-time groups in southern gospel. “One year we did 163 concerts, but normally averaged 100 dates every year,” said Amert. 
The Masters have enjoyed much success down through the years. The Masters have had the privilege to share the stage with such artists as Gold City, the Anchormen and the Dixie Echoes. With the Masters original lineup, they participated in the Waycross All Night Gospel Sing’s Talent Contest, and the Masters placed number three out of 64 groups. Also, they made their way to Mathis City Auditorium for a talent contest, and won “Best Audience Appeal” of all artists in attendance. In 2000 and 2001, Amert was nominated and won “Alto Vocalist of the Year” by the readers of The Gospel Post. Amert had the honor of being inducted into the prestigious Gospel Post Hall Of Fame in 2003. In order to qualify for this award, one must have traveled 25 plus years and have made an unforgettable impact in southern gospel music. Amert has done just that.
   Change has not come much during the 30 years of the Masters traveling. Other members that have stepped on stage as the Masters are: Tommy Saxon (tenor, joined less than a year before the group’s beginning), Leo Soileau (drummer), Tommy Thigpen (bass), Deborah Taylor (alto), Darlene Ray (piano), Rhonda Bennett (fill-in alto and soprano), Chuck Nash (bass guitar), Ondra Smith (bass guitar), Steve King (drummer), Bill Vendemo (drummer) and Casey Sumner (bass guitar).
   The current lineup for the Masters consists of: Murrell Bennett (manager/baritone/guitar), Roger Martin (bass/guitar), Rhonda Bennett (Soprano) and Nancy Hall (alto).
   In 2001, Murrell Bennett accepted the call to preach, and as a whole, the Masters decided to discontinue traveling on Sundays so they could be at their home church and Bennett could remain with the quartet. Bennett is the pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Madison.
   While styles have changed and the music progresses, their mission remains the same: southern gospel music with evangelizing. Their goal is to reach as many souls as possible through the means of southern gospel music, and evangelize through the message of the songs.  On a regular basis, the Masters travel to local correctional institutions in Madison, Hamilton, Lafayette and Jefferson Counties and minister just like they would at a church or auditorium. 
   While having many opportunities to go professional, that has never been the focus or a priority. The Masters remain true to the gospel and minister wherever called. Whether it be a coliseum, auditorium, church or fair, the Masters carry one message, the message of Jesus Christ.

Bryan Phillips Enrolls At Florida Baptist College

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Come August, Bryan Phillips will be headed to Florida Baptist College in Graceville where he will embark on an education to prepare him for the ministry.
   Bryan was called into the ministry in December and preached his first sermon a few weeks later. The sermon, as he recalls it, was on how one has plans for his life but God can change those plans.
   Since he preached the first sermon, he has also done several more at his home church, Midway Baptist Church. He has also been asked to speak at Corinth Baptist Church in Hamilton County, to fill the pulpit for a minister one weekend in Suwannee County and to address the youth at Midway Church of God.
   The son of Henry and Susan Phillips, he is a 2005 graduate of Madison County High School where he performed in the band. He also plays the guitar and has considered majoring in music ministry at Florida Baptist College.
   Bryan says that he enjoys being in the pulpit and addressing congregations.
   A serious student of the ministry, he has been reading a number of Christian books, including the bestseller, Wild At Heart by John Eldredge.
   “That book helped influence me to go into the ministry,” Bryan said.
   Bryan resigned his position with Madison County EMS and worked his last full-time day as an EMT on June 27. He will work part-time here and hopes to get on with Jackson County EMS as a part-time EMT, as well as becoming certified in Alabama to be an EMT.
   In his spare time, Bryan likes to ride his motorcycle, play guitar and shoot at targets with his best friend, Max Smith. He also enjoys going to Starbucks in Valdosta, Ga. and reading books there.
   Currently, he says he’s still debating whether to get a music degree or a theology degree.
   “Whatever God has in the cards for me, I will do it,” he said.

Hopewell Baptist Church Enjoys VBS

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Hopewell Baptist Church held its Vacation Bible School June 15-19 at the church. The theme of this year’s VBS was “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakable Truth.”
            The VBS averaged 60 students each night.
            Teachers and church staff involved in the VBS were:
            Pastor: Preston Gainey
            Director: Jessica Gainey
            Nursery: Lindsey Olson, Pam Olson and Margaret Bailey
            Pre-K to Kindergarten: Amy Wesson and Amanda Coe
            First and second grade: Debbie Thompson
            Third and fourth grade: Georgette Martinez and Melissa Osborne
            Fifth and sixth grade: Kelli Minter and Barbara Fox
            Youth: Timmy and Jenny Dyke
            Music: Gina Sapp and Mary Donna Pippin
            Adults: Laverne Cooper and Iris Wesson
            Recreation: Mike Coe and Justin Wesson
            Kitchen staff: Buck and Jewel Kelly, Pam Olson and Margaret Bailey

Fall Fest ’08 Is On The Way

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   This coming fall will be ushering in one of gospel music’s most anticipated events to Madison County.  North Florida Concerts is presenting FALL FEST ’08, a four-day/three-night family festival featuring ten popular groups including headliners, the Bradys and the Jeff Treece Band.  Scheduled for November 6-9 at Jellystone campgrounds, the event is another in the list of successful promotions by Bryant Thigpen.
   Thursday night will kick off with the Old Paths, Southern Joy and Stephen Jones. The Old Paths are from Atlanta, Georgia and were recently recognized as one of the top ten nominees for Horizon Group of the Year in Singing News Magazine.  Their quartet-style music has made a notable impact in southern gospel with many top 40 songs to their credit.   Southern Joy is a family group from Baldwin that presents the gospel with tight, family harmony.  Southern Joy won the 2006 National Quartet Convention Talent Search in Louisville, Kentucky.  Stephen Jones is from Lake City and is perhaps best known from his days with his family group, Forgiven.
   Friday night is promising to be an awesome evening as well, featuring the Jeff Treece Band, VictorySong and Pure Heart.  The Jeff Treece Band hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, bringing a lot of laughter, and even more musical talent, to the stage.  Often called the “Ray Stevens of Gospel Music,” the Jeff Treece Band maintain their gospel ministry with comedy sets and top 10 songs in both southern and country gospel.  Their latest single, “Angels Watching,” was chosen by Marine Moms as their theme song. 
   Pure Heart is a family trio out of Jacksonville that is known throughout the southeast for their power-packed performances.  And VictorySong, based out of Valdosta, Georgia, will also take the stage Friday evening to present the gospel in their tight-harmony, trio style.  Featured monthly in the Gospel Post, VictorySong is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the south.
   On Saturday night, the audience better buckle up as the Bradys, the Reflectsons, Redeemed Trio, and the Gibbs Family combine for a night to remember.  The Bradys, from Columbia, Alabama, have experienced great success in gospel.  Sylvia Green, alto vocalist for the group, has written many hit songs, including “Here I Am,” which was voted Song of the Year by Singing News readers and gospel music fans.  Their latest release, “Might Go Home Today,” is currently in the top 40 songs on the Singing News Top 80 Chart.
   The Reflectsons are based out of Trenton.  Bringing a powerful passion to the stage, they were voted Mixed Group of the Year by gospel music fans several times.  As a nice complement to the evening, the Gibbs Family brings a fresh sound, mixing southern gospel and contemporary that appeals to audiences of all ages.  They are known for their presentation and personality on and off the stage.  Lastly, Redeemed Trio of Blackshear, Georgia, is thought of as one of the tightest trio’s in southern gospel.
   The Reflectsons will close the event, returning to the stage on Sunday for morning worship service, along with guest speaker, Dale Thigpen.  The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be held inside the auditorium at the campgrounds.
   Don’t miss this exceptional weekend of gospel music!  Again, the concert series is being held at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Madison. Taking place Thursday thru Sunday, November 6-9, beginning at 7 p.m. For ticket information and great deals on motels and campsite reservations, please visit www.northfloridaconcerts.com.

Wee People To Be At Four Freedoms Park This Saturday

   The Wee People Puppet Ministry will be at Four Freedoms Park in Madison on Saturday, June 14, at 5 pm.
   The free program, led by Madelinea Bass, will feature balloon animals, hotdogs, tricks, games, door prizes and lots of fun.
   “Daisy” the clown and her gang will be at the Four Freedoms Park as part of the Wee People Puppet Ministry.

Fellowship Baptist Invites Children To “Power Lab”

   Fellowship Baptist Church invites children to “Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power!”
   “This year, our church is bubbling with excitement as we explore Power Lab,” said Pastor Steve McHargue. “Power Lab provides fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for kids of all ages. Each day, kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble Test Tube Treats, take on a Daily Challenge to share Jesus’ amazing power in their lives, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s Word and create Bible Point Crafts they’ll take home and play with all summer long.”
   McHargue added, “Power Lab is an exciting way for kids to learn more about Jesus’ power. Kids will join nearly a million kids in North America and take part in a hands-on missions project that will reach kids in South Africa. Each day concludes at Faith Fusion Finale – a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they learned. Family and friends are encouraged to join us daily for this special time at 11:30 a.m. We hope Power Lab will get everyone fizzling with excitement about Jesus in our community.”
   Power Lab begins on June 16 and runs through June 20. Meet at 1997 NE Colin Kelly Highway each day from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. For information, please call the church at 850-973-3266.