Countryside Christian Center takes pride in its music ministry. An offering will help offset the Dove Award nominee's fee.
By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published June 12, 2004
CLEARWATER - Lanky Texan and six-time Dove Award nominee Shaun Groves will perform songs from his latest Christian CD Twilight during an evening contemporary service at Countryside Christian Center's 1,500-seat main sanctuary Sunday evening.
While many of the singer's performances are ticketed events, this one is free.
"We do this once a month," said the Rev. Glenn Davis, associate pastor and youth director. "We try to bring in cutting-edge artists. We want people to see Christian music is just as good if not better than secular music."
For more than two decades, the church has offered regular concerts with some very famous names.
Natalie Grant, Third Day, Jennifer Knapp, Erin O'Donnell, Anointed and Michael Tate, among others, have performed on stage at the huge Clearwater complex.
Casting Crowns, a hot group in contemporary Christian music circles, will play a ticketed show on Sept. 30.
The music ministry is driven by the senior pastor, harmonica-playing John Lloyd, who has a deep appreciation for good evangelistic rock.
A former hippie and child of the '60s, the Rev. Lloyd ran a coffeehouse ministry in Fort Wayne, Ind., called Adam's Apple, where the pioneer Christian rock group Petra was the house band.
He believes "music is a powerful, powerful tool," Davis said.
"It will break down the walls in people's hearts," he said. "They connect with it, and their hearts are wide open to the gospel."
Lloyd was not immediately available to talk. Groves did not return phone calls from the St. Petersburg Times for an interview.
But, according to his Web site, Groves' sophomore album, Twilight, comes three years after the 29-year-old's debut effort, Invitation to Eavesdrop. The timing has deep meaning for Groves.
"In Romans 7, Paul says that there's a civil war happening in his soul," he wrote on the site. "That what he wants to do and what he does are not the same thing. He's torn. That's an idea we can all relate to. The person I was before I met Christ is night and day different from the person I will be when I see God face to face in heaven."
After 15 minutes of worship Sunday, consisting of a message from Lloyd and praise music from the Rev. John Courtney and his band, Groves is expected to appear on stage to play a 40-minute acoustic set to about 1,000 people, who will put money in a collection plate to help pay for his artist's fee. Davis thinks the audience will be happy to contribute what they can.
"Groves has big hits on the radio," he said. "He has an edgy (style), a unique voice and great songs. He really has a heart after God and it really comes across during his concerts."
Church officials said the congregation and visitors appreciate that all they have to do to see big names in Christian music is go down to their local church.
"It's always been the heart of the church to reach out to youth and minister to people," said the Rev. Brad Kidwell, associate pastor, who also organizes the television ministry. "It's also a good way to get new people in."
