Gospel concert is scheduled at First Baptist Church-Martin

Posted: Thursday, April 25, 2013 6:00 pm

Gospel concert is scheduled

Gospel music lovers will be able to enjoy a triple treat at an upcoming concert at the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Martin, TN, May 6 at 7:00 p.m.  The event is a Billy Hodges concert, as well as a reunion concert by the gospel singing trio “Under Grace”, featuring Jeremy Ballinger, Mark Brantley and Billy Hodges.  In addition to Hodges and his former partners, regional musical groups will perform from 6:00 to 7:00.  Finally, a dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 in the church’s Fellowship Hall.  No concert admission fee will be charged, but a free-will offering will be taken.

Hodges is a well-known musician in the West Tennessee area.  He grew up in Weakley County, attended UT Martin, and worked for a time as a firefighter in Union City.  He has sung tenor with several popular singing groups; these include The Florida Boys, The Dixie Echoes, and The Kingdom Heirs.  In addition, he performed at Dollywood for more than six years. 

Area residents will remember when Jeremy Ballinger and Mark Brantley sang with Hodges as the “Under Grace” group.  They will join Hodges in his May 6 concert.  Both Ballinger (a Newbern, TN resident) and Brantley (a Caruthersville, MO resident) serve the Holy Hills Baptist Church in Dyersburg –Ballinger as pastor and Brantley as pianist and church soloist.  

Pre-concert music will also be provided from 6:00 to 7:00 by several popular regional music groups.  These include the Keathley Family from Union City; the Ryman Shadows bluegrass gospel band from Martin; and Kelly Phillips & Sons from Martin.

This combined event is sponsored by the Servant Leaders Disaster Relief Cooking Team.  The purpose is to raise funds to support the activities of the group.  The team is comprised of members from Baptist churches in the Northwest Tennessee area, primarily from the Beulah and Weakley County Baptist associations.  Servant Leaders’ ministry is to respond to food needs of disaster victims within a 250 mile radius of Martin.   The group has responded to tornado and ice storm victims’ needs in Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.  In addition, they shared their food inventory with the Hurricane Sandy victims.  For information about Servant Leaders, please call the leader of the team Joe Pearce at 731-571-0857 or the Director of Missions for the Beulah Baptist Association Jack Long at 731-571-8505.

The meal will be prepared by the Servant Leaders and will be very similar to those served in the disaster areas.  To make the public aware of the team’s capabilities, they will be using their equipment to prepare and serve the food.  Those wishing to enjoy the meal for a $5 donation should call ahead to indicate their interest in supper – 731-514-0144. 

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