Sound s sacrifice for ministry

Friday isthe dayeveryone looks forward toatLBC A big date, a chance tocatch upon homework, or a time of much-needed rest arejust a few reasons why students hold their breath until class is finally over on Friday and theweekend can begin A girl isinherroom getting ready for thebigdate shehasbeen looking forward to for weeks.Suddenly,there isa knock atthedoor.

"Donna, it'sMr Randlett on the phone."

A guy has just settled down to finish a term paper that isdueon Monday There is aknock athisdoor, also "Greg, it's Mr. Randlett on the phone."

Those words hold special significance toa member of theSounds of Liberty A call from thedirectorusuallymeans thatplanswillhave tobe put aside again

"When youdecide to become apart of something liketheSounds,there is is apricetopay,"said David Randlett, director of theteam

Partofthatprice is giving up weekends, attending daily rehearsals and making exhausting road trips that combine tomake lifeasastudent particularly chaotic

"More than just music—more than justministry," Randlett said, "are the words that describe thepurpose ofa team with the Sounds' musical and ministering capabilities."

On a typical weekend, the team members conduct two or three church services, which involve ministeringto children and adults with diverse needs

"In order tostay fresh we vary our music," Randlett said,"andwe try to keep inmind thatthepeople to whom we minister are usually hearing it for the first time."

According to Randlett, the Sounds are tenofLBC's best musicians, who could also be youth majors,andwho also have a heart for soulwinning. These qualities are necessary for weekend trips that might find them on visitation with a host church or in a mall performing a concert.

"We trytodevelop inasingera real heartbeat for ministry through music," Randlett said. "We believe our students arestronger inthe Lordand in their personal lives and ministries when they leave."

Because oftheirschedules, thesingers arealso encouraged tomaintaina high grade point average and to become actively involved at LBC when they arenoton theroad.

"When a student joins theteam, it becomes his orher number one priority," Randlett said.

He explained thatmost people don't realize the amount of hard work involved. Ittakes a week to learn one song well, not to mention the practice in preparing for other areas ofministry theteam uses on a road trip

"Most collegemusic programs have missed the direct ministry portion," he said. "We want theSounds of Liberty to be a warmhearted group of competent musicians that areactively trying towin others toChrist."

"I Love America" rallies have become just another aspect of the Sounds' many ministries during the year.

Contrary to what many students think, Randlett says the ralliesareexciting to someone who does them once ortwice Butmost ofthe singers would much rather perform for civic

Clubs Or Inchurches

A pastor's wife in southern Ohio stood on the bus when the Sounds were preparing to leave andtold them that the church had been going through problems and the Sounds' ministering had been needed for a long time

For that reason, Randlett said, "If there is no ministry, we are wating our time."

The hectic schedule and hard work are an integral part ofa ministry like the Sounds ofLiberty.

"The singers may not realize the real valueoftheirexperiences withthe group rightnow," Randlett said "The exciting part will beto look back five years from now

They were part of a ministry that 3,000 other students never could take partin,"hesaid. "Then they willreally know itwas worthwhile."

-Amy Gibbs •