Tim Zimmerman and the King's Brass

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair. The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion and keyboards. These instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that will be enjoyed by all generations.

Secular and sacred music critics alike applaud their concerts as “superb in every way,” and “innovative and well played.” “Truly, an unforgettable experience!”

The King’s Brass, formed over two decades ago, is comprised of professional musicians from across the country who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise and worship.

The King’s Brass’ original arrangements are featured on twelve recordings. The latest CD on the Summit Record label (www.summitrecords.com) is their “Classic Hymns” release, featuring organists Diane Bish, Rebecca Kleintop Owens and Samuel Metzger with the Ruffatti Pipe Organ of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.


MEMBERS OF THE 2014-2015 KING’S BRASS TOUR

TIM ZIMMERMAN - Director of The King’s Brass, Tim received his graduate degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been a member of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and has assisted with a number of orchestras in the Midwest and East Coast. For thirteen years, Tim served as Artist-in-Residence and Chairman of the Music Department at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. He has also taught at Taylor University and Indiana Wesleyan University in central Indiana. Tim and his wife Beckie, have four grown children and live in the Pennsylvania mountains of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

GREGORY ALLEY – Currently, Gregory is the trumpet instructor at Calvin College and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to teaching, he was a member of the West Point Band, in New York, for twenty-three years. His music degrees are from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Michigan State University. Gregory plays in the Holland Symphony Orchestra, has been a soloist with the Dallas Symphony, Hudson Valley Bachfest Orchestra, and the Montclair Chamber Ensemble. He, his wife Deb, and their four daughters, live in Hudsonville, Michigan.

ERIC HENSON - A native of North Carolina, Eric is in demand as a teacher, clinician, and performer from Maryland to Georgia. He holds degrees from Western Carolina University, and the University of Maryland. In addition to performing with the King’s Brass, Eric holds the position of Principle Bass Trombonist of the Augusta Symphony in Augusta, Georgia, and appears frequently with the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh. Eric is also the Adjunct instructor of Low Brass at Limestone College, his students have won positions in all-state and regional honors bands in North Carolina and Maryland. When he’s not on the road, Eric enjoys cooking, model railroading, and fly fishing.

DANIEL LEWIS – An active freelance musician and teacher, Daniel currently holds the third trumpet position with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also performed with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Virginia. Daniel received his Master of Music Degree in performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his undergraduate degree from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. Daniel lives in Dayton, Ohio where he is an avid Ohio State Buckeye’s fan.

STEPHEN OMELSKY – Stephen earned his Bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, his Masters degree in performance from the University of Akron, and is expected to complete his Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in the spring of 2014 from the University of Maryland. He is a freelance musician and teacher in the Washington DC area. He has performed with the National Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, and the Castleton Festival Orchestra. Outside of music, Stephen enjoys road biking and spending time with his niece and nephew.

RACHEL PARK – A native Korean, Rachel is pursuing Doctoral of Musical Arts at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas where she received the Master of Music / Piano Performance degree. She served the Pilgrim Ensemble of Korea as pianist for seven years touring Thailand, China, Korea, Iraq, Kuwait as well as Carnegie Hall, NY, Crystal Cathedral, CA, and at the Embassy of the Korea in Washington D.C. She was one of the winners of the 2011 Piano Texas International Academy & Festival Concerto Competition and soloed with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Rachel and her husband Ezra, are proud parents of their lovable two years old son, Isaac.

TIM PERRY - Tim received his Bachelor’s degree in music education from Indiana Wesleyan University. While living in Marion, Indiana, Tim performed numerous times with the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a four-year member of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps playing snare drum. Tim also has a snare drum world champion title earned from the 2010 Percussive Arts Society International Convention marching snare drum competition. Presently, Tim lives in Bloomington, Indiana, and attends the Jacobs School of Music within Indiana University to pursue his master of music degree in percussion performance.

ANDREW REICH – Andrew received a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Georgia as well as receiving an undergraduate trombone performance degree from the University of South Carolina. Currently living in Columbia, South Carolina, Andrew is an active free lance musician and teacher. When not working, he enjoys everything outdoors including whitewater paddling and other thrill seeking endeavors.

DOUG BLACK – Doug received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Currently, he is working toward a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Tuba Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Doug is an active freelance teacher and performer in the Greensboro area. He and his wife Megan, live in the beautiful mountain state of North Carolina, where they are learning how to be basketball fans and enjoy Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Honduras

by Sheila Zimmerman


My hope is that the Lord was glorified and that children and adults would know of His great love. But, as in every mission trip, in addition to giving of our time and resources, we end up “receiving blessings” as well.

I learned that actions and time are gifts of great importance. People want to know that you care and that they are more than just a project. Even if they couldn’t understand my words, they could understand my actions in spending time with them and in revisiting them the next day. In Honduras, we were encouraged to do 4 visits in the span of 2-3 hrs - not to try to “hit every house on the block.” I found this to be quite difficult with the language barrier. And also, given the fact that the Hondurans are reserved (at least they were with me!) coupled with my being reserved, made for uncomfortable moments. But the blessings I received in spite of my discomfort and inability to speak were friendship and smiles.

I was able to teach a few ladies (some young teens) a hand sewing project. I knew from previous trips that in addition to a small check they receive from the government, some families have to live on only what they can grow/raise for themselves. I was hoping to bring a hand-project that could be done without many resources (e.g. sewing machine) that could be used to supplement their income. I brought materials and simple patterns to make pin cushions and stars. I was surprised to learn they didn’t even have pins to put in a pincushion, and didn’t have scissors to cut scraps! I was able to give some scissors and pins away, but didn’t have enough. So I also learned: next time, go with more supplies! Also, learn more Spanish. “Como eso” only goes so far!

I’ve included a translation of a note I received from one teen, Maria de Santos. I hope it gives you a feeling of what I encountered and left behind. May the Lord bless you for your part in reaching others, like Maria.

"Dear Miss Sheila, I am very happy with the Bible you gave me. I pray that God will take care of you always. Pray for me so I can continue to grow in the church and in the study that I am taking. I feel very happy and at the same time sad that for 3 days we were together. I hope that you will come again next year so that we can be together. I will be waiting for you with open arms. I love you very much. Bye bye. God loves you and me." - Maria de Santos

Being Flexible in Honduras

by Arlene Hahn

“Be flexible.”

That’s what we were told while preparing for the mission trip to Honduras….and several times during that week in Gracias, Honduras a town of 25,000. As we met to prepare for the trip and plan for departure – we needed to adjust and adapt: planning crafts where there would be no tables, games where there would be no equipment. At the airport in Honduras, where it took 2 hours to get the rental cars, we were flexible. Nothing is fast in Honduras. Pastor Bruce made balloon animals for children, US money got exchanged into lempiras (or “lemps” – Honduran money) and we enjoyed our final “North American” lunch at Wendy’s. We had 11 on our team drawing from WBC, Friendship Baptist in Ennis and the Cowboy Church of Maypearl. We combined forces with additional mission teams from Gordon and Marshall, Texas – sharing rides, snacks and stories as we made our way to our home base of Gracias – 4 hours in the rain on paved roads punctuated by curves, hills and no apparent traffic laws. Rustic bathrooms and verbal instructions of, “don’t flush any toilet paper, anywhere,”… we were flexible.

We made “base camp” at a hotel on the edge of Gracias. We were blessed to minister in two area communities during the week…Cenicera, a town of maybe 200 and a bone jarring “10 minute” drive and a world away from Gracias, as well as in Las Flores, a more developed town of 2,000 and a half hour drive from our base hotel.

In the village of Cenicera we ministered for three days. We hiked along rutted dirt roads and obscure pathways to visit villagers from the local congregation and some of the unchurched in the area. These humble people were gracious and welcoming. They lived in small, simple homes cobbled together from adobe bricks, stucco and wood scraps with tile or corrugated metal roofs. Some had electricity. All appeared to have running water piped in from a nearby mountain stream. Few, if any, had doors. Everyday seemed to be wash day – clothes strung out on barbed wire fences surrounding most of the houses.

They showed us how they cooked over wood on simple adobe and clay stoves they had constructed themselves. Diets consisted of what they could raise nearby (eggs, maize, bananas and mangoes) and beans they could purchase inexpensively. Men worked where they could, many doing construction work or farm labor in coffee fields on the nearby hills. We’d see them walking along the dusty road, machetes hanging from their belts. Women were mostly at home, starting families in their mid-teens, days filled with the efforts of growing and cooking their simple food, washing the endless laundry, caring for children, visiting with neighbors. Sparsely furnished homes were neat. All but a few of the children wore clean clothing and were neatly groomed. Most wore shoes or flip flops, all nearly worn out.

The children gathered and followed us everywhere, always eager to talk – if only I could speak Spanish! “Hola” (hello) and a smile went far. Mornings were spent doing home visits, inviting families to church, and praying for individuals and families. Our afternoons were spent doing VBS with the children. The village teacher graciously closed school early each day and allowed us to use the school building for our Bible stories, crafts and games.

Not enough chairs…be flexible. Not sure how many will show up…be flexible. So we met on the school porch for shade and to accommodate the ever growing and changing audience. Children came in groups from all directions, young mothers, teenage girls and boys joined us, even some of the young men gathered around the fringes to hear the Bible stories and help with the crafts. Word of our presence apparently traveled well among the hillsides. Sheila captivated their attention with flannel board stories of creation and God’s promise for redemption, Christ’s death and resurrection and being a part of God’s forever family. Coloring pages and crafts reinforced the lessons and entertained both children and adults. Games were a favorite – the boys clamoring over the bright green soccer ball in a dirt field, the girls and young children learning to jump rope in a dirt playground littered with rocks and trash….be flexible.

Evenings were spent in local church services. The first two nights we met in the outer room of a home – very crowded. Not enough space or chairs? Mission team members and others gathered to stand outside and listen through the doorway. The single fluorescent light bulb flickered off and on throughout the evening leaving the entire room black for several minutes at a time…be flexible and turn on the LED flashlight you thankfully brought from home. Songs and preaching in Spanish….be flexible and use that time to pray for this group of believers and those who are speaking. Speaking to the group in English…take your time and use short sentences to accommodate the translator – be flexible.

Our last night in this hillside village we met in the area church building constructed of adobe and cement by locals and earlier mission teams. This building offered much more room and dependable lighting….but remains mostly unused due to factions and divisions in the local body of believers. It was filled that night. Pray for this group of believers and their new pastor, Alfredo, as he seeks to bring unity and reconciliation to this small village in the hills above Gracias.

The remainder of our time was spent ministering in Las Flores – a town with mostly paved streets and host to a yearly gathering of witches from Central America. Here a vibrant congregation squeezes into a living room to meet because they have no church building. Pray for this congregation and Pastor Nelson – that they would be salt and light in a dark place.

More home visits….climbing an astonishingly steep rocky hillside to meet with families. There we met Maria Isabel, a women crippled from polio since childhood. She lives up this rugged hill, only able to walk on her knees. She and her sister graciously listened and talked with us. Later, Maria Isabel, a catholic, agreed to attend the service that evening. Team member Dusty carried her to and from the van on his back, then up the steep, wet steps to where the church met for the evening….encouraging her and the rest of us by his servant heart. Be flexible.

More VBS in the afternoons. Forgot the flannel board for the story….be flexible and clip a piece of fabric to the podium. Craft supplies for 50, but 65 children show up…be flexible and divide up your activities by age group. Not enough time…be flexible and shorten your plans. No play area for active children…be flexible and use the street. No game equipment to use with this active group of kids…be flexible and use rocks for relays, play number games to teach them English, even teach them a simple line dance in the street. The children were joyous and well behaved. They sang with enthusiasm and listened intently. They waited patiently in their seats while we made adjustments and new plans. They were even gracious when every scrap of the craft materials had been used up before they got a turn. We learned much from these children. I hope we taught them something about God and His love as well.

Evening services again…the living room overflowed to the street beyond. Children played outside to accommodate the many adults while mission team members sat on sidewalks or stood near the doorway to free up seating for the locals. Neighbors gathered out on their porches to listen. Music and singing was loud and joyful, beginning and ending the service. Preaching was in Spanish, shared by various mission team members. Rain leaking in through the tile roof…be flexible and move your chair to miss the larger drips. Cat running along the rafters, dog wandering through the group during prayer to get out of the rain…be flexible and ignore it.

Many gave selflessly – Eddie translated all day, helped lead singing and then preached or translated all evening. Bert, a team member from Ennis, translated all day and preached several evenings and assisted the team from East Texas who ministered in a different community during the week. Melyssa, a student from SAGU, welcomed and loved every child that flocked to her. There were many. Noel bravely drove where no van should go and blessed us with his translation skills and big heart. John never complained when the walking became too difficult or long, always ready to share the Good News with someone else. Rebecca helped and encouraged everywhere, to the team as well as to those we ministered to. Sheila taught Bible stories and showed women how to sew. Bruce made balloon animals for the children and preached. Lou shared his testimony and encouraged many. Dusty literally carried others on his back and blessed us with his servant’s heart and attitude of praise. I was blessed to teach through the craft activities – and gave out lots of tape.

We all walked dirt roads, talked and communicated as best we could, prayed for each one we met (and each other) and ministered where we could. We were flexible.

It was tiring, it was encouraging, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Ministry Partner of the Month: Allen & Betty Pierce

First of all we want to Praise the Lord for the finished work of the Fang New Testament for the people of Equatorial Guinea, Africa.

Please pray concerning:
1. A contact with a USA-based company has offered to take the Fang New Testaments to Equatorial Guinea with one of their shipments. Pray this works out - saving shipping costs as well as reducing logistical and customs issues.

2. Pray that the Fang people will receive God’s Word with thanksgiving and want to share it.

3. That the Fang people would hunger for God’s word and want to learn to read it; enablement for Jocelyn, a missionary from Chile, who is in EG now working in Literacy, teaching the people to read.

4. Sami and Valeriana, as they serve as National Director and Linguistic Center managers, translators and all the other jobs they juggle with joy and servants hearts.

5. All the missionaries who live at the Linguistic Center and help to see Bible Translation, Literacy and Discipleship among the Guinean people – health, safety, unity.

6. The Fang people as they continue to work on the Old Testament.

7. For Andrew, an American and Wycliffe missionary, who will help with the translation of the Old Testament into Fang.

8. Unity among all the nationals and missionaries as they work together.

9. Allen and Betty’s future plans and God’s direction to work in Bible Storying to reach people groups who do not yet have the Bible.

10. For travel mercies and good health in the USA and overseas travel.

11. Our training with Story Runners, Campus Crusade for Christ mission, in Florida and Burkina Faso, Africa, this coming September- November.

12. For wisdom, clear minds and ability to recall stories from God’s Word and then tell them in a way that can be understood and retold, by all who listen.

This Month's Focus: September 2014

Last month was another great month of accomplishing our mission here at WBC. This month, you will read about the Honduras mission trip which was a great way to carry Christ’s love. There is also an upcoming King’s Brass concert here at WBC which will be a great way for us to worship God as we become mature disciple who carry Christ’s love to the world. You can find out more about these things as well as many other WBC ministries in the next few blog posts.