TOLEDO, Ohio—The high school band from Emmanuel Christian School has just returned from a music tour through Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The group is led by Ms. Yvonne Youngblood, music director, and Cindy Edwards, assistant. Emmanuel Christian School is a ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo.
The first stop was at Taylor University, where the students participated in rehearsals, workshops, and a combined concert that evening with the college wind ensemble. On Friday the students traveled to Chicago, attending a Blue Man Group concert and visiting Hancock Observatory, Ed Debevic’s Diner, and Navy Pier. On Saturday the students had a new experience as they met Pastor Brian Augsburger at First Baptist Church, Arlington Heights, Ill., to do some “door blitzing,” where groups went from door to door with fliers about the church. The day was absolutely beautiful with sunshine and blue skies. The goal for Saturday morning was to blitz 1,800 homes, which was completed by groups of 4 to 5 people including one chaperone. A student described Pastor Augsburger as “a man of inspiration. He really got into the door blitzing and stayed into it. He didn’t stray off and start talking. He stayed put and helped out.”
After a long day of door blitzing in the morning and sight-seeing in the afternoon, the students arrived back at First Baptist to meet their host family for Saturday night. For many students this was a new and exciting experience. The enthusiasm of the hosts was apparent as they met the students staying with them. All the students enjoyed the fun, conversation, and good food.
Everyone arrived back at the church on Sunday morning for the music ministry during the morning worship service. After the congregational worship, the choir sang three songs including the upbeat “Alleluia Fanfare.” Laura Huber, a graduating senior, ministered with a flute solo. Natasha Palmer sang a vocal solo, and Hannah Cheon, a Korean exchange student, contributed a piano solo. The congregation thoroughly enjoyed the music of the morning.
After a deliciously tantalizing lunch of pasta, salad, bread, and desserts made by the ladies of the church, the ECS music tour headed for its last stop at Shepherds Ministries of Union Grove, Wis. Upon arrival, Kaitlyn Farley, one of the ECS students, saw her Uncle Daryl directing the bus to our destination. Ms. Edwards was the first person off the bus and Daryl promptly threw his arms around her and hugged her with all his might. Kaitlyn received the next hug. In fact, everyone who stepped off the bus could feel the residents’ excitement. Many of the residents even helped the band get set up for the concert, including Gary and Dan. When the band was ready to start, Gary ably conducted them through a scale warm-up.
Another highlight of the concert was when Daryl Farley played his guitar with the band as the audience sang. Kaitlyn was amazed at the responsiveness of the residents. Once the concert was completed, the students received a tour of the Shepherds facility. Because ECS students come from such a wide variety of churches in the Toledo area, many had no clue exactly what Shepherds provided. Many students were encouraged to see the independence that the residents aimed to achieve. In looking back at the Shepherds visit, Miss Youngblood commented, “You have to wonder who was ministered to more during our stay at Shepherds. I encourage anyone to stop and visit this incredible facility.”
At the end of four exhilarating and fast-paced days, comparable only to a Nascar race, the students headed home to Toledo. Students were happy to be home, yet sad that this year’s tour was at an end. Many look forward to next year’s tour, which will be heading east to Washington, D.C.
