"If Larry Norman is to be called the father of Christian Rock, then Marsha Stevens certainly deserves to be known as the mother of contemporary Christian music, a title that Christian Century and others have bestowed upon her. She was the leader of what is considered to be the world's first contemporary Christian music group, Children of the Day, and she has continued as a solo artist to produce albums of worship-oriented and edifying adult contemporary pop. As such, she remains the progenitor of what, by 2002, would become the single most popular genre in the contemporary Christian music market." - Excerpt from "The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music", Sept. 2002

The Guest Book and Blog pages have changed:
Leave your comments on our new "Guest or Blog" page, or read the current happenings on the
"Chronicles" page.

I'm so glad you came to visit us and pray that you see the hope that Jesus gives us when you read these pages.  The
Bible tells us in 1 Peter to ALWAYS be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks, a reason for the hope that is
within us.  It is in that spirit that we write on these pages, that we sing the songs and write the lyrics that tell about that
hope.  If people leave their email addresses and names, I answer every email, too - praying always that you can receive
Christ in you, the hope of glory!
SSBALM@aol.com

New:  Please note that some accompaniment tracks are now available here on our sales page,
along with much of the first music and meditation recording.

Please use the tabs along the top of the page to browse the site.

NEWS THIS SEASON: 

Release of "I Am Home". More news soon!

 

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Welcome to our home. We hope you feel the Holy Spirit at work here in the lives and stories that we share. (If you are on an aol-based link, you may have to go to another browser to read this all correctly!) Balm Ministries is an outreach to those who feel they have been somehow left out of the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I started out, I thought that would mean just the glbt community. But I've come to discover that there are people from all walks of life who feel that God somehow doesn't quite like them. Clearly Jesus knew we would feel this way because He went out of His way to include "the least, the last and the lost" and even told us that He didn't come for people who already had it all together, but for those who needed Him. Then in the book of Romans, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul tried to shut all the loopholes by listing all the things that CANNOT separate us from God's love - not famine or nakedness or peril or sword, not life, nor death, nor height, nor depth, nor angels, nor principalites, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come...(let's see, have I covered everything? Well, just for good measure) nor ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION will ever separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus! We're just here to remind you

Balm Ministries has an outreach called upBeat! that has helped to train and equip those in Christian music ministry to marginalized people. We are not offering the 9 day training this year, but we will have a music seminar/retreat for those who participate in music ministry, songleading and praise and worship music participation. You will have individual one-on-one vocal sessions with an upBeat! vocal coach and a vocal stylist. These sessions will help you target your range, vocal style, performance style, and enhance the way you use your voice in your music ministry.

You will work as a team with other music artists to learn how to meld your voice into a group, identify parts, fill in the holes, backup other singers and learn how to round out a song.

Our coaches will work with you on aspects of your music ministry in which you indicated a special interest and provide you with exercises and information to strengthen your skills.

Group sessions will give you insight into choreographing your praise and worship songs in ways that will add power to your ministry presentations. These sessions will help you learn how to use stage presence to elevate the experience of your music ministry presentations and take it to the next level.

BALM Ministries is currently working on booking a music ministry performance opportunity at a local church on Sunday, June 10 for participants of this workshop. Details of this opportunity will be made available as they are confirmed.

upBeat! personnel for this seminar will include:

Tim Searcy - No ordinary song and dance man, Tim is a triple-threat. A handsome, exciting, multitalented man who is a singing machine that dances and embodies a colorful musical tapestry woven with inspiration and divine talent. Tim is listed in Who’s Who in music along with his Grammy Award winning cousin, Al Green.

Tim co-starred with Clifton Davis and Leslie Uggams in the all-black version of
the hit Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” and received accolades comparable to Davis and Uggams.

Maintaining his all-win audition record, as a teenager, Tim became the star of Dancin’ Machine, a group signed with Casablanca records during the heyday of Donna Summer. Tim, along with Dancin’ Machine, enjoyed many seasons on three hit television series, Kicks, Hot City and the Midnight Special. The group toured the United States but became very popular in Australia. While performing in a nationally televised special at Sidney’s Opera House, Tim and Dancin Machine before an audience of 250,000 people, who were spread out on the steps, hills and in boats around the Opera House, received a standing ovation for their performance.

Tim later landed the starring role as “Harry” in the hit Broadway musical Eubie- the role Gregory Hines originated. The critics praised him for his unique tap and acrobatic style; they compared his voice to that of the legendary Johnny Mathis.

Tim went on to tour with Lola Falana for several great years and starred in
a succession of major hit shows in Las Vegas; “Splash” (Tim Searcy also cocreator/Choreography of the first original award winning show), “Legends In Concert”, (where he portrayed the legendary Sam Cooke), and “Abracadabra”(Tim Searcy also cocreator/music), where he received the award Best Lead Performer, “Entertainer of the Year” 1988 & 1989.

Tim Searcy has starred with Grammy and Tony award winners Jennifer Holiday and Stephanie Mills in the Hit Broadway musical tour of “Your Arms Too Short To Box With God”.

Tim Searcy has recently won 2 Las Vegas Toddy Awards, Best Male Vocalist and Best In Show, for his live performance of his new hit single “ We Can All Make A Difference” at Golden Rainbow’s Ribbon Of Life event in Las Vegas.

In the recording world as a vocalist, Tim, a former Sony/Epic/Solar recording artist, has worked with Grammy winning writer/producers like Maurice White (Earth, Wind And Fire), Wayne and Wanda Vaughn (Emotions) and Jeffrey Osborne.

Tim has participated in several of our upBeat! trainings, has graciously sung vocals on several of Marsha's CDs and has worked with Marsha and other artists in finding the best stylizing for each of their voices. He brings his years of experience and his sensitive spirit to our music seminar in June.

Rev. Glenna Shepherd has a long affiliation with Balm Ministries, beginning with her work producing Marsha Stevens-Pino's hymn album "For Those Who Know It Best" in Nashville in 1996.  With a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from University of Tennessee, a Masters of Music In Conducting from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a D.Min. (ABD) from Pacific School of Religion, she is well qualified to teach vocally and in areas of ministry. Glenna's patient attitude and natural ability to find each participant's particular method of learning have made her a favorite both in the recording studio, where she has produced the vocals for 14 upBeat! artists, and in the classes and individual sessions she offers at our trainings.




Be sure to go to the link on our store page (after the music) to see the new MCC Cross. If you purchase one and mention Balm Ministries, part of the profit will go to Balm.
Cindy and I are looking forward to getting back to concerts in October. Watch the Tour Schedule for updates.

New article online  It's part of a new book about the evolution of Contemporary Christian Music.  It's a different take!
Read it and post comments!!

The new CD, I Am Home, is making rounds and getting some reviews.  It was one of 8 albums nominated for the OUT music awards, but did not make the finals.  For those of you who have moved into the 21st century, I will try to update the download page ;-) I knew everyone would like "Jesus to Me", since we have those people in our lives, but a surprise fave has been "The Wailing Wall".  I was so impressed during our trip to Israel at how positive people were.  When we talked about the trip here in the US, we got lots of, "Wow, are you sure you want to go to such a dangerous place?" kinds of questions.  And, just for the record, there were more people killed in Pinellas County Florida during the 10 we were on our trip than were killed in all of Israel during that time!  But, the focus there is on the good, the survivors, the heros, the safety, the blessings.  So, that inspired the song.  I'll post it now.   Blessings, Marsha and Cindy Stevens-Pino