Bluefield College will host a gospel benefit concert, Saturday, February 3 at 7 p.m. in Harman Chapel, featuring the Walls of Jasper trio and designed to raise funds to support a Spring Break student mission trip to Panama.
Local residents are invited to attend the concert, which is open and free to the community, but donations are encouraged to help cover the costs of the Panama mission. Students participating in the trip are currently fundraising to pay for the expense of their travel, but donations from the benefit concert will go a long way in helping them meet that need.
The Walls of Jasper began their musical journey in 1994 as a group singing together in their home church, Leonardtown Baptist. A ministry of Southern Maryland Gospel Ministries, the group is comprised of Gary Reed (tenor), Jim Wyman (bass) and Dan Doig (baritone), the father of BC student Christalyn Doig, who will be taking part in the Panama mission. The trio incorporates southern gospel with contemporary Christian to provide a unique and inspiring blend of gospel music for listeners of all ages.
“When these guys sing, Jesus shows up,” said Dave Showalter, youth pastor for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lusby, Maryland. “And I’m guessing His heart smiles and His foot begins to tap. I know mine does. I’m sure yours will, too.”
The group has recorded two albums, including its most recent project, “Something to Say,” which features songs from such writing greats as Rodney Griffin, Dottie Rambo, and Mosie Lister. The collection also features inspirational country songs made popular by Randy Travis and Josh Turner.
“Our mission is to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” the trio said, “by representing (Him) and our faith to our community and the communities surrounding us through ministering and evangelizing via the medium of Gospel music.”
The Walls of Jasper concert will benefit Bluefield College students who will be traveling to Panama during Spring Break, March 3-10, to serve on mission among the Kuna indigenous people. With a total population of just more than 50,000, the Kuna are the largest indigenous group in Panama. And from this population, a mere four percent profess to be Christians. The Kuna Baptist churches in Panama City are calling for short-term missionaries to help them reach out to the Kuna people by sharing their testimonies to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
“The traditional religion of the Kuna is similar to Voodoo, and even among fledgling churches there are many Biblical beliefs mixed with folk-religious elements,” said BC campus pastor Dr. Henry Clary, who will join students on the mission to Panama. “Thus, there is a great need for mature and growing Christians to interact with these young believers in Panama to help disciple them and invite others into a faith relationship with Christ.”
Working alongside members of the Kuna Baptist churches, the Bluefield College students will help facilitate worship services, share their testimonies in the churches, participate in door-to-door ministry, host Vacation Bible Schools, and spend time in public schools teaching English.
“It will cost each student $1,500 to participate in this mission,” said Dr. Clary. “Donations from friends will help us answer God’s call to travel to Panama. The students are raising funds through various activities, but those of you who walk with Christ know the joy and power of giving.”
For more information about the mission trip or to learn how you might support the cause in other ways beyond attending the concert, visit bluefield.edu/panama or call 276-326-4208.