A Biography
Jim and Shirley are 1978 graduates of Olivet Nazarene
University, near Chicago. Jim graduated with a B.A. in Business
and Music Theory, and worked for General Foods Corp., and
Shirley graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Physics, and
worked as a Nuclear Test Engineer for Commonwealth Edison.
However, in 1984 they felt His leading them into a full-time music
ministry. For the past 25+ years, they have performed nearly
3000 concerts across 46 states, and in 18 denominations..and
their music has been used in many countries. Jim is also an
accomplished organist. Their repertoire spans a variety of
musical styles that accommodates the musical preference of any
congregation...from the contemporary styles of the Coasts, to
the southern gospel of the South, to the traditional and
inspirational in the Midwest. From a technical standpoint, their
performing full-time has developed a professional rapport that
allows audiences to feel at ease and enjoy their presentation.
But most importantly, every song is introduced and sung in a
spirit that is Christ-centered, relevant, and personally
understood by each individual in attendance.
University, near Chicago. Jim graduated with a B.A. in Business
and Music Theory, and worked for General Foods Corp., and
Shirley graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Physics, and
worked as a Nuclear Test Engineer for Commonwealth Edison.
However, in 1984 they felt His leading them into a full-time music
ministry. For the past 25+ years, they have performed nearly
3000 concerts across 46 states, and in 18 denominations..and
their music has been used in many countries. Jim is also an
accomplished organist. Their repertoire spans a variety of
musical styles that accommodates the musical preference of any
congregation...from the contemporary styles of the Coasts, to
the southern gospel of the South, to the traditional and
inspirational in the Midwest. From a technical standpoint, their
performing full-time has developed a professional rapport that
allows audiences to feel at ease and enjoy their presentation.
But most importantly, every song is introduced and sung in a
spirit that is Christ-centered, relevant, and personally
understood by each individual in attendance.
An Update on the "Girls"...
From 1984 through 1997, we traveled the country with our
three daughters. The performed with us in 46 states, and in
over 2000 concerts. It requires little effort to still picture them
standing on chairs as they sang with us. Few people know
how many traditional adolescent activities they voluntarily
sacrificed to participate with us as they grew older. There is
always a concern when we as parents, choose a path less
frequented. As children they were always excited about
traveling and performing, but we privately wondered what their
reaction would be in 15 years. As they reached high school
age, we amended our schedule to allow them to have ample
classroom experience before college. Their high school
graciously worked with us as we made this transition. In 1997,
Evie left for college; then Marcie in 2001; and finally Jamie in
2003. They all have graduated college with academic honors.
As adults, they look back on our days of travel as
"irreplaceable", and we are so thankful. They have now begun
their own lives, and their individual interests are varied and
distinct. Many continue to ask about them, so we thought we
would provide a quick glimpse into their lives presently.
three daughters. The performed with us in 46 states, and in
over 2000 concerts. It requires little effort to still picture them
standing on chairs as they sang with us. Few people know
how many traditional adolescent activities they voluntarily
sacrificed to participate with us as they grew older. There is
always a concern when we as parents, choose a path less
frequented. As children they were always excited about
traveling and performing, but we privately wondered what their
reaction would be in 15 years. As they reached high school
age, we amended our schedule to allow them to have ample
classroom experience before college. Their high school
graciously worked with us as we made this transition. In 1997,
Evie left for college; then Marcie in 2001; and finally Jamie in
2003. They all have graduated college with academic honors.
As adults, they look back on our days of travel as
"irreplaceable", and we are so thankful. They have now begun
their own lives, and their individual interests are varied and
distinct. Many continue to ask about them, so we thought we
would provide a quick glimpse into their lives presently.
As we've often alluded to during our concerts, Evie, our oldest daughter graduated
from Taylor University with a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing. She now
resides in Santa Barbara, California, where she is the Marketing Director for the
Purebred Arabian Trust. Her most recent assignment was Project Manager for a new
Arabian Horse Museum that opened in June of 2010, at Kentucky Horse Park, in
Lexington, KY. Prince Abdullah, of Saudia Arabia, and Kentucky Governor, Steve
Beashear, were in attendance as she gave one of the keynote addresses at the
opening ceremony. In September of 2009, she married Bob Sweeney, on a
mountaintop near their residence north of Santa Barbara. She sings in her home
church, and we are so grateful that her relationship with the Lord has never waned.
We miss her, but feel fortunate to live in an age of instant communications. Please
pray for her as she and Bob begin their new home.
from Taylor University with a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing. She now
resides in Santa Barbara, California, where she is the Marketing Director for the
Purebred Arabian Trust. Her most recent assignment was Project Manager for a new
Arabian Horse Museum that opened in June of 2010, at Kentucky Horse Park, in
Lexington, KY. Prince Abdullah, of Saudia Arabia, and Kentucky Governor, Steve
Beashear, were in attendance as she gave one of the keynote addresses at the
opening ceremony. In September of 2009, she married Bob Sweeney, on a
mountaintop near their residence north of Santa Barbara. She sings in her home
church, and we are so grateful that her relationship with the Lord has never waned.
We miss her, but feel fortunate to live in an age of instant communications. Please
pray for her as she and Bob begin their new home.
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Marcie graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU), with a B.S. in
Elementary Education. She is currently finishing a Masters Degree in Counseling,
at Colorado Christian University, in Denver. We have always wondered if our
travels would diffuse the girls' urge for adventure. Apparently not. One of her
adventures was through the University of Pittsburgh, where she spent a
"Semester at Sea" on a ship. She departed from Vancouver, Washington with
800 other students, and began a combination classroom/field trip voyage to the
Far East. Marcie has a gift and a heart for children, and she was especially
moved after spending some time in orphanages, principally in Russia, China,
Vietnam, and South Korea. While in Taiwan, during a white-water excursion,
Marcie was thrown out of a raft and submerged for some time before anyone
could eventually get to her. We aged several years when we first heard the story.
She has a "special" friend in Denver. Marcie enjoys nearly all sports, reading,
and is gifted in memory with detailed recollection. Pray for her as she seeks the
Lord's will in her life.
Elementary Education. She is currently finishing a Masters Degree in Counseling,
at Colorado Christian University, in Denver. We have always wondered if our
travels would diffuse the girls' urge for adventure. Apparently not. One of her
adventures was through the University of Pittsburgh, where she spent a
"Semester at Sea" on a ship. She departed from Vancouver, Washington with
800 other students, and began a combination classroom/field trip voyage to the
Far East. Marcie has a gift and a heart for children, and she was especially
moved after spending some time in orphanages, principally in Russia, China,
Vietnam, and South Korea. While in Taiwan, during a white-water excursion,
Marcie was thrown out of a raft and submerged for some time before anyone
could eventually get to her. We aged several years when we first heard the story.
She has a "special" friend in Denver. Marcie enjoys nearly all sports, reading,
and is gifted in memory with detailed recollection. Pray for her as she seeks the
Lord's will in her life.
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There is a theory in psychology that predicts children's personalities
based on birth order. It suggests that parents subconsciously nudge the
oldest child toward perfectionism, while the youngest is often allowed a
lessor standard (perhaps out of parental exhaustion!). Jamie decided
early on that we as parents, need not worry. She has maintained a written
schedule since she could barely write. She has the rare gift of both "left
and right brain" and can perform higher math as proficiently as creative
writing. Jamie also graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, with a
major in Business and English. She spent a semester at Oxford
University, in England. It is not an uncommon exchange for U.S. students
these days, but Jamie's infatuation, particularly with traditional English
culture and authors, was a dream come true. She is currently employed
as a Web Specialist, in Denver. Please pray for Jamie, as she solidifies
her direction in life, and contemplates how the Lord can best use her in
the years to come.
based on birth order. It suggests that parents subconsciously nudge the
oldest child toward perfectionism, while the youngest is often allowed a
lessor standard (perhaps out of parental exhaustion!). Jamie decided
early on that we as parents, need not worry. She has maintained a written
schedule since she could barely write. She has the rare gift of both "left
and right brain" and can perform higher math as proficiently as creative
writing. Jamie also graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, with a
major in Business and English. She spent a semester at Oxford
University, in England. It is not an uncommon exchange for U.S. students
these days, but Jamie's infatuation, particularly with traditional English
culture and authors, was a dream come true. She is currently employed
as a Web Specialist, in Denver. Please pray for Jamie, as she solidifies
her direction in life, and contemplates how the Lord can best use her in
the years to come.
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About Us (A Statement of Purpose, A Biography, and An Update on the "Girls")
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A Statement of Purpose
"Music has been described as 'the language of the soul'. From
creation, through the Psalms, to proclaiming the birth of Christ,
music has been the crescendo that so often opens our eyes to
the divine corridor between the very heart of God and each of
us that He has created and loves personally. We labor solely
for His edification, that our music might encourage someone to
see more clearly their worth and purpose in this life through
Jesus Christ, and the promise of the life that is to come."
Jim and Shirley
creation, through the Psalms, to proclaiming the birth of Christ,
music has been the crescendo that so often opens our eyes to
the divine corridor between the very heart of God and each of
us that He has created and loves personally. We labor solely
for His edification, that our music might encourage someone to
see more clearly their worth and purpose in this life through
Jesus Christ, and the promise of the life that is to come."
Jim and Shirley
