Embrace had a banner year during 2004-2005 - earning several charting songs like "Why Not?", "Blessed Shall You Be" and "The Valley", not to mention several high profile appearances and concert dates, to what do you attribute the success of the group recently?
Yes, the Lord has blessed this ministry in a whole new way this past year. We’ve been presented some fresh opportunities in the areas of concert and television appearances as well as radio play. Any success that we may be experiencing can only be explained by the work of the Holy Spirit. Embrace is simply a vessel that the Lord is choosing to use for this time to share much needed messages of hope, encouragement, and love . God desires to bless His people and we love to sing about that!
"The Valley" is a beautiful song about spiritual refreshing. What kind of ministry opportunities has the group seen as a result of the song?
Written by Chris Binion, the song, “The Valley”, has touched so many people that we’ve come in contact with. Embrace has received comments, calls, letters, and e-mails relating story after story of how individuals were simply at the end of themselves and God used the truth of restoration and healing in “The Valley” to give them the courage to keep walking for Christ. What an honor to talk with people who’ve been truly encouraged and strengthened by God through the music and ministry of Embrace.
You recently released your new album for Zion Music Group, Walk His Way - how much musical growth took place between this album and your last - After the Rain ? What were some challenges and highlights of making this album?
Our latest release, “Walk His Way”, is quite different from anything we’ve done before. The musical styles of the songs on this project are unique and varied with rhythms reminiscent of everything from a tropical island tune to a big band’s syncopated swing. The recording of the project was a bit of a challenge simply because we felt led to include twelve songs instead of the standard ten. When we would try to “weed out” any of the initial selections, it just didn’t feel right. The vocals required on “Walk His Way” were more technically challenging than on our previous project, “After The Rain”, but God has brought a blending, a “gelling” of the three individual voices into one sound as Embrace has performed together over time. Although recording “Walk His Way” was hard work, one of the high points of the experience was that Melinda had her “I’m 29 again!” birthday party in studio. Cake makes everything better!
Tell us about your new single, "Walk His Way".
The title cut from our new project, “Walk His Way” is a terrific song written by Pattie Hawkins. The message is one of encouragement and challenge to continue faithfully with Christ despite what circumstances or the culture around us tries to dictate. The tempo is brisk and the tune catchy; we love to sing it!
What do you see for the future of this ministry?
The future of the Embrace ministry is known only to God. We love to sing. We love to serve Christ. Our primary passion is ministering to individual churches, but the only way that Embrace or any other ministry can continue to flourish is by keeping a close eye on the Savior, the Source of our passion. We have full confidence that if we will focus our efforts on remaining true to the call He has placed on our lives and continue to strive for excellence in all that we do, He will guide us.
What has God been teaching Embrace lately?
Currently Embrace is wrapping up a group Bible study on becoming true ministers and servants. Recently we were introduced to the term “under-rowers”, those who simply respond to the orders of the Captain and continue to move the oars in the speed, manner, and direction that He dictates. This concept along with that of being servant-leaders has been at the forefront of what God has been teaching us. The Lord Christ Himself clearly demonstrated the ministry of the bowl and the towel as He gathered His disciples for their last earthly meal together. Our deepest desire is to take these lessons and with the empowering of the Holy Spirit, make ministry and service a part of our daily lives which then will overflow into the ministry we call Embrace.
Visit Embrace online at http://www.embraceministry.com
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 08/31/2005
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 2
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Yes, whenever you get a chance to hear and see Embrace, you know they are walking with Jesus. I have been knowing Dane, Marci, Melinda,and their families for some time now and I can see how much the Lord is using them in His ministry. May the Lord keep on blessing them
I understand these wonderful people are from the Pearl MS. area? Being a pastor, singer, and a MS. native, I'm somewhat biased already! It's is SO REFRESHING to hear SGM artists of this caliber speak as they do, about being "servants" of the Lord. I have had it to my eyebrows of EGOTISM with a LOT of sgm artists. I perceive these folks are on a course to win MANY people to the Lord, and that's what it's all about! May God's richest blessings and the anointing of the Holy Spirit be in everything they do. Amen. Rev. Charles Runnels
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