Monday, December 8, 2008

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

That special time of year is upon us once again...that time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! It seems that everything is just brighter this time of year....the stars, people the sky...you name it...Christmas is so special, a time of reflection and surprises.

Guess what? Speaking of surprises, our very own Jay Ayers, has recently married Judy Mitchell, our groups drummer (Mike Shew's) sister! Isn't it great how God puts wonderful christian folks like these together? They met during a New Journey concert which is even more special to all of us. We wish the both of them every happiness that God has and many years of wedded bliss...

Let's not forget to remember the true meaning of Christmas...that Jesus was born and came to save a lost and dying world from its sin....Go tell it on the mountain...over the hills and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born!! I love that old song and it still rings true today.

All of us in the New Journey Quartet wish you a Merry Christmas and a very blessed Happy New Year! We hope to see you in concert soon!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
www.newjourneyqt.com
828-726-1143

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New Journey Thanks Danny Caulder Productions

The New Journey Quartet was blessed to recently be introduced and get to work with Danny Caulder of Danny Caulder Productions, a booking and promotional agent for southern gospel/country gospel music. Danny invited us to his home church in Mullins, SC to perform a concert recently and what a great time we had! Danny and all the fine people at his church treated us like old friends and fed us like "Kings".

Danny has invited us to come on board with him and to work with him in doing concerts in South Carolina as well as the southeast and we look forward to going through this new door that God has happened for our group.

This weekend, Danny has us traveling to Florence, SC to Hillside Freewill Baptist Church for a morning concert and we're looking forward to it! Please pray for God to protect us on this trip and that many souls can be saved and blessed. Again, thanks Danny for being such a good friend and helper in the ministry of the New Journey Quartet!

'Til Next Time,

Bill Warren - New Journey Quartet
www.newjourneyqt.com
telephone: 828-726-1143
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
179 Elm Ave.
Hudson, NC 28638

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Gospel Music - When Is It Gospel & When Is it Not?

Ok, I realize I'm straying into a touchy subject here, but please hear me out first!

I've had some interesting conversations with several gospel musicians about what is appropriately titled, "Gospel Music" and what style is best. Let me say this upfront.....as long as the message of the gospel is clear and unfettered, the style really doesn't make a lot of difference to me. Of course, my personal preferences are for southern gospel or christian country music, but there are also a lot of groups out there in the contemporary gospel world that are doing a great job spreading the message of Christ. Many folks get really bent out of shape when someone doesn't agree with them that this style is best or that style is best...but you're really losing the point on whats important here...and thats telling folks about Jesus and what he did on calvary for us.

I've always thought of music and its delivery in terms of ice cream.....some folks like chocolate, some folks like vanilla and some folks love orange sherbert! Its the same way with gospel music folks, no one form or style is going to reach everyone and we have to be open to new modes of delivery, although the message should "NEVER" change.

I've set in churches where it was quieter but the Holy Spirit moved in a sweet and gentle way and spoke in a still, small voice. I've also been in churches where folks ran the aisles and shouted to the top of their lungs and yes, the Holy Spirit was moving there too. God reaches different people in different ways and there is no "One way fits all" just like no one flavor of ice cream is right for everyone!

If you're a musician reading this post, let me urge you to keep the message of Christ front & center and don't get detoured with fancy solos, loud music and just throwing a word of the gospel in "here & there".....yes, music is beautiful and it adds to the message and reaches different people, but the message should always be clear!

So there, I'm off my soapbox now....gospel groups, don't try to be all things to all people, just work where the Lord has called you to be and give it your all and in the end, I believe you'll have a special crown waiting just for you! I know in our group, The New Journey Quartet, we try our best to do this: get people to meet and come to accept the one we've been singing about for so long..The Lord Jesus Christ and mission #2....to rekindle the fire of those who might have allowed their fire to die down and to get back in the fight because the time of "His" coming is near!

Until next time...

In His Service,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
www.newjourneyqt.com
828-726-1143

Monday, October 13, 2008

To The Beach & Back

This past weekend we had the opportunity to travel just outside of Myrtle Beach, SC with the group. One of our friend's group, "The Blood Bought Trio" was unable to fufill a date because it looks like group leader & pianist Jacob Crisp is going to play piano for "The Hoppers". Good luck Jacob - we know you'll do us proud!

Fortunately for us, we were able to fulfill the date and step in for them and in doing so, got to meet gospel music promoter Danny Caudle...what a nice guy! Danny, had us at his home church, McMillan Memorial Baptist in Mullins, SC. This church went out of their way to treat us as "Old Friends" and made us feel so comfortable! The preaching was great, the concert went off without a hitch and the Lord got all the glory! Let me tell you, our stomachs look glorified after the way McMillan Baptist fed us....needless to say, our truck was traveling a little lower on the shocks on the way home!! ha,ha

It looks like Brother Danny is going to be using New Journey more in his area and what a blessing that is for our ministry to be able to go into a different area! We've been praying for something like this to happen and look what God does...he'll drop it in your lap when you least expect it! We look forward to working with Bro. Danny in the future and traveling and spreading the gospel where God has expanded our boundaries!

'Til Next Time...

In His Service,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
179 Elm Ave.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1143
www.newjourneyqt.com

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Homecomings Are Great!

Today we performed two sets of music at the homecoming for Lawings Chapel Baptist Church in Maiden, NC. Pastor/Dr. Floyd Bennett and congregation always treat us just like family and we feel like that since we have played for them for the last few years at their annual homecomings.

These people really love to serve the Lord and they also know how to cook! My son Dillon and I almost hurt ourselves eating all the good ole' country ham and fried chicken that was there! Gee, guess I gotta remember the part about being a glutton in the bible...ha,ha. After the main course, the dessert entree just couldn't be passed up either...apple dumplins, every manner of cake, coconut pies.....wow!!!!!!!!!

This is just a small taste of what heaven is going to be like. Can you imagine sitting down at the master's table for the big supper awaiting us all one day? What a time that will be! If you're reading this...let me ask you...are you ready for that heavenly banquet one day? Can you call the Lord your personal savior? If not...drop us a line and we'll be glad to tell you how you to can sit at "The Master's Table" and come to know Jesus as your Lord & Savior!

'Til next time............

Your Friend,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
www.newjourneyqt.com
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
telephone: 828-726-1143

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Mariah Baptist Church is Great!

Its been another successful weekend for the Lord! We were fortunate to have been invited to perform at Mariah Baptist Church for their "Pack A Pew" Sunday service and let me tell you...these folks really have it going on!

What a wonderful feeling of friendliness these folks exude and trust me...not every church is like that! After making us feel very welcome, we did (2) sets of country gospel and I thought the roof was gonna blow off the place! The Holy spirit was definitely in control and Pastor Bill and his church singers did a wonderful job as well...this church if full of talent!

Mariah Baptist...keep on keeping on...you've got something special at your place!

As the year winds down, I'm reminded ever more how much we need to keep on doing all we can to serve God. The winds may blow around us, the financial markets may look bleak, gas may be very high or even non-existant in places...but God will always make a way through the rough times for his children. I truly think "His Coming" must be close at hand and we do not want to be caught unprepared upon "His" return. Let me exhort each of you to be co-laborers in the field....there are lots of souls needing salvation and many hurting people out there whose fire may have grown dim....lets lift each other up to God in prayer and fight the good fight of faith!

In His Service,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
179 Elm Ave.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1143
website: www.newjourneyqt.com
email: warren69@bellsouth.net

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

New Journey Quartet In Mooresboro, NC

Many thanks go to High Shoals Baptist Church in Mooresboro, NC for hosting us this past Sunday morning. Pastor Micheal Pardue and congregation were all superb hosts and man can them ladies cook!! Of course, we had a special service with New Journey bringing a message in song and Pastor Micheal bringing us the preached word...what a one-two punch for God!

Let me back up for a minute and tell you what a time we had getting to Mooresboro! We started around 6:30 am and finally got there about 9:30! We got a bit lost on the way...Mooresboro isn't the end of the earth, but you sure can see the end from there! Its times like this that I'm glad we had GPS navigating both global positioning systems and God's positioning system!

Pray for our alto singer's car, it broke down on the way, but luckily we had enough room in the other vehicles to fit her, Phillip and Mike....you see, even though the devil tried to hinder us...God always makes a way!
This sunday night at 6pm, the New Journey Quartet will be in Spruce Pine, NC (on top of some of the prettiest mountains) at First Freewill Baptist Church. Come out and join us along with Pastor Ralph and his congregation, some of the liveliest and nicest people you'll ever meet...until then....Onward Christian Soldiers!
In His Service,
Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
179 Elm Ave.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-1143

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Trinity Broadcast Network Appearance

We got in last night around 1pm after having made an appearance on the TBN affiliate Dove Broadcasting Network's show known as "Niteline" hosted by Joanne Thompson in Greenville, SC. Let me say what a pleasure it was to be a part of this wonderful program which truly touches people for God!

This was our second return appearance on Niteline and a few of our current members hadn't performed on TV before, so needless to say, we were a little bit nervous. However, the whole crew at Niteline put us all at ease and when Ms. Thompson had a word of prayer with everyone proceeding the show, we all knew that God was at the steering wheel and that everything was going to work out alright...let me rephrase that...it wasn't alright, it was awesome! We've already been getting emails from viewers of the program and how the music and word of God touched them in a special way and we truly appreciate the kind words and the opportunity to share our ministry over the airwaves.

Also of special note, we hope to create a new DVD/CD from our live performance on Niteline thanks to the excellent sound quality of the DBN crew...thanks guys, you were great to work with! Be on the lookout in a month or so for this new "Live" project...we're really excited about it!

This coming sunday, we'll be performing at a new church to us for our first time, High Shoals Baptist Church in Mooresboro, NC at 10am. Come on down, we'd love to have you worship with us and I'm sure the pastor of High Shoals Baptist would love to have you as their guest!

Until the next time, keep on praying for us as we do for you...and may God richly bless you!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
http://www.newjourneyqt.com/
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
Telephone: 828-726-1143

Monday, September 1, 2008

Its Getting Busy for NJQ!

Well gang, its been another busy weekend for the New Journey Quartet. We had the awesome privilege and honor of performing at New Vision Baptist Church in Granite Falls, NC where are friend Carl Hamm is the pastor. This church simply rocks! They treated us with such kindness and respect. But most importantly, the spirit of God was there as evidenced by several testimonies given by the audience while the group performed! Let me say, New Journey loves it when we get to hear heartfelt, soul stirring testimonies like that!

While preparing for the concert, God laid a song on my heart called, "He's Sending Miracles" that we haven't sang in over 4 years, but he laid it there for a reason as the dear lady who jumped up as soon as the song was sang and told about her healing miracle from heart surgery....you see folks, God's plans are always better than man's and I'm so glad he had us sing this song...isn't God awesome?

Be in prayer for our group as we will have the opportunity to sing on the Trinity Broadcasting Network station affiliate, Dove Broadcasting in Greenville, SC on Monday, September 8th. This is our second appearance on the program "Niteline" which is aired all over South Carolina, Georgia and parts of North Carolina, reaching hundreds of thousands via cable. Pray that God will use the group in a great and mighty way that night and that souls are touched! We are certainly excited about this tremondous opportunity to sing and spread God's word through the ministry of New Journey...who knows what doors this may open for us!

Most importantly as most of you know, we're not entertainers but a true music ministry who wants to see souls saved and refreshed wherever we go! Now don't get me wrong....we're glad when people enjoy our "Live" and very talented band and the singing abilities of each of its members...but the "Goal" if you will, is always to reach folks for God!

September is going to one of our busiest months ever and we invite you to check our concert calendar at: http://www.newjourneyqt.com/Concert_Calendar.html to see if we're in an area near you. Keep praying for us as we continue to pray for each of you and come out to a New Journey Quartet concert near you and lets worship together!

In His Service,

Bill Warren
New Journey Quartet
www.newjourneyqt.com
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
Telephone: 828-726-1143

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Awesome Concert & Fundraiser

We just got home from a fundraiser/concert for our former drummer Wes McCall and family. Wes recently lost his wife to cancer...but she received the "ultimate" healing and is certainly in a much better place. However, The McCall family was hit with huge hospital bills and Covenant Baptist Church sponsored a fundraising concert featuring New Journey Qt., 5:17, Casting the Net and the Covenant Youth Praise Team. What an awesome night for God it was....the holy spirit permeated the building with young & old alike, praising the Lord in his or her own way! The musicians from all groups played great and the singers sang wonderfully, but the most important thing was that God received the glory!

The concert raised significant funds for the family and we even got Wes to sing a few songs with his ole bandmates...it really brought back memories! What a talented man Wes really is...how God has blessed him! It was good to see that he didn't let what most would call a terrible family tragedy slow him down in his service for God...many lesser men couldn't or wouldn't have done it. His two daughters are absolutely precious children whom we adore. Please keep this family in your prayers as well as New Journey as we go along the journey God has laid before us! Talk to you again real soon!

In His Service,

Bill Warren - New Journey Quartet
http://www.newjourneyqt.com/
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
828-726-1143

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Our 1st New Journey Quartet Blog Post

Thanks for stopping by our blog page! The New Journey Quartet has been busy updating our webpage and we're still working on it, but so far, we've had some very positive comments about it! Not only is our website located at: http://www.newjourneyqt.com/ looking different, but you may notice a change in our band lineup. Currently our members include:

Bill Warren - vocalist, acoustic/electric guitar, banjo, mandolin
Angie Warren - vocalist
Dillon "Lil' Elvis" Warren - drums
Rita Stinnett - vocalist
Phillip Stinnett - sound tech
Mike Puett - electric bass
Mike Shew - drums
Jay Ayers - vocalist, harmonica, keyboards and guitar
Bob Woods - acoustic guitar, dobro and steel guitar

Over the years, faces have changed in the group as all groups encounter change. Each member who has come and gone has lifted us a little closer to our goal of bringing refreshment to weary christians and salvation to the lost. We are now, more than ever excited about the future that God has for us....time is certainly growing short as the Bible foretold it would, so we must be about our Father's business.

This blog page is where you'll find our latest thoughts, current news and info about all things regarding the New Journey Quartet. It is our sincere hope that you'll stop by for a visit often!

May God Bless,

New Journey Quartet
http://www.newjourneyqt.com/
email: warren69@bellsouth.net
For bookings please call: 828-726-1143 or cell# 828-729-1020