Russell Newport is a friend of mine. I grew up in his choir at First Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. About a year before I joined the choir, he assumed the position of director. The choir at that time was both small and ineffective. Russell accepted the position as choir director temporarily for fourteen years. A basic policy he introduced was if you didn't come to choir practice, you didn't sing. When I missed practice or a Sunday service, I would go a long way out of my way to keep from seeing Russell. Harmon Chapman was a member of the choir and was also an artist for his high school newspaper. Each practice, Harmon would draw a cartoon and circulate it among members of the choir. We were practicing to present a concert of "The Elijah," by Felix Mendleson. One of the cartoons Harmon drew was of a little bearded man standing next to Russell with a caption of Russell speaking to the bearded man. It read: "I don't care if your name is Felix Mendelson, you haven't been to choir practice and you can't sing with us." Another cartoon pictured Russell with a machine gun in his hand saying: "Sing Altos! Sing!" I remember a practice when we were rehearsing an anthem and Russell stopped the choir and said: "It's Naaaked ladies, not Neked."
Russell has a Bachelor's degree from William Jewell and a Master's in business from Harvard. For several years he owned several dime stores in Southwest Missouri. My friend Bob Speake once said that if you wanted a full days work, all you had to do was follow Russell.
Russell was a great positive influence on so many young people at FBC. He gave voice lessons to members of his choir without remuneration. My friend Jerry McMahon became very interested in Christian music and singing because of Russell, a believer who generously gave of his time to so many different people and causes.
What I haven't told you is what a great singer he is. Russell always said that if you sang properly, you could be a good singer all your life. Now in his middle 80's, Russell is still a great tenor. I mean great tenor. He could have been a star with the Metropolitan Opera in New York if had chosen to accept their offer. He studied voice at the New England Conservatory and also in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He has been tenor soloist with symphony orchestras and oratorio societies around the world. He appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and as soloist on ABC and CBS religious presentations.
Most of all, Russell loves the Lord Jesus. Rather than embarking on the singing road in the secular world, he chose to serve Christ with his marvelous vocal instrument. No one, I mean No one can sing "The Holy City" like Russell. I will ever be greatful for his influence on me.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A DIRECTOR OF INFLUENCE
On the long bus ride from Kansas City, MO to Ft. Leonard Wood, I had several hours to contemplate what would lie ahead for me in the United States Army. After receiving uniforms, equipment, an orientation, and a fancy haircut it was Sunday and so I thought it would be the right thing to go to chapel. I was surprised to find a chapel full of young men and a chaplain who preached a great sermon. I went back that night and became acquainted with Chaplain (Major) John H. Brown. His name was as common as mine.
Chaplain Brown was an officer of great influence. A chaplain really has no power, but he can have great influence. In the reception station at Ft. Wood, Chaplain Brown was greatly respected throughout the unit. The cadre loved him because he was often in the company areas not only meeting them, but also the recruits. Sgt. Martin was Catholic, but he loved Chaplain Brown and often made his Sunday announcement like this: "Protestant worship services begin in ten minutes. All men who want to go to church fall out to my right and I will pick my details from those left!" Of course, nearly everyone got in line to go to church.
Services at the chapel where Chaplain Brown preached were always filled to capacity not only because of announcements like those of Sgt. Martin, but because he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was one of the best pulpiteers I have heard. We would often go on field trips and have services in the field for the men.
Chaplain Brown served our country in Korea. Some of the stories he shared with me were both inspirational and sobbering. One day he and his assistant were in a jeep pulling a trailer up a hill and they kept hearing what he called a "Chinese Burp Gun." Some Americans came running down the hill and told them to turn around because the Chinese were coming by the thousands. Chaplain Brown told his assistant to turn the jeep around and unhook the trailer and get out of there. His assistant said he could turn the jeep around but for him to get out and start running. With bullets hitting all around him, Chaplain Brown crossed a river and climbed a ledge to safety. Later he asked about his assistant and found him. Brown was told that it was a good thing that he left because there were bullet holes through the windshield in front of where he had been riding.
At Ft Wood, Chaplain Brown was moved from the reception station to the 5th Training Regiment because of the jealousy of the Post Chaplain. In that unit, the crowds became so large that they had to move their services from the chapel to one of the movie theaters. After that, a new post chaplain wanted him to move to the fort's housing area and try to build up Sunday School. I left Baylor that summer and helped him organize a new Sunday School. My job was to get it all on paper. His job was to get people to fill the various positions. In June there was a regular attendance of 150. The first Sunday of September was the first Sunday for the new Sunday School and there were over 800 in attendance. People followed him, not because of any power he had, but because of his great influence.
I would like to be that kind of person - a real director of influence.
Chaplain Brown was an officer of great influence. A chaplain really has no power, but he can have great influence. In the reception station at Ft. Wood, Chaplain Brown was greatly respected throughout the unit. The cadre loved him because he was often in the company areas not only meeting them, but also the recruits. Sgt. Martin was Catholic, but he loved Chaplain Brown and often made his Sunday announcement like this: "Protestant worship services begin in ten minutes. All men who want to go to church fall out to my right and I will pick my details from those left!" Of course, nearly everyone got in line to go to church.
Services at the chapel where Chaplain Brown preached were always filled to capacity not only because of announcements like those of Sgt. Martin, but because he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was one of the best pulpiteers I have heard. We would often go on field trips and have services in the field for the men.
Chaplain Brown served our country in Korea. Some of the stories he shared with me were both inspirational and sobbering. One day he and his assistant were in a jeep pulling a trailer up a hill and they kept hearing what he called a "Chinese Burp Gun." Some Americans came running down the hill and told them to turn around because the Chinese were coming by the thousands. Chaplain Brown told his assistant to turn the jeep around and unhook the trailer and get out of there. His assistant said he could turn the jeep around but for him to get out and start running. With bullets hitting all around him, Chaplain Brown crossed a river and climbed a ledge to safety. Later he asked about his assistant and found him. Brown was told that it was a good thing that he left because there were bullet holes through the windshield in front of where he had been riding.
At Ft Wood, Chaplain Brown was moved from the reception station to the 5th Training Regiment because of the jealousy of the Post Chaplain. In that unit, the crowds became so large that they had to move their services from the chapel to one of the movie theaters. After that, a new post chaplain wanted him to move to the fort's housing area and try to build up Sunday School. I left Baylor that summer and helped him organize a new Sunday School. My job was to get it all on paper. His job was to get people to fill the various positions. In June there was a regular attendance of 150. The first Sunday of September was the first Sunday for the new Sunday School and there were over 800 in attendance. People followed him, not because of any power he had, but because of his great influence.
I would like to be that kind of person - a real director of influence.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
REUNION TIME
Friday, September 7 was the day for our high school reunion. The day began early for me as I had to chair a meeting of MOHELA that began at 8:00 am. I was dressed in slacks, shirt, tie, and sport jacket. At 10:00 am, I dismissed myself from the meeting and started the 210 mile drive to Springfield.
There was not a time for me to change my dress because our group was to leave Springfield at 2 pm for the bus ride to Branson. Everyone else was dressed appropiately for Branson. I was still in my board meeting attire. At Branson, suddenly the rain stopped and the sun came out and I was still in my more formal dress. It was very hot as we toured the Landing and then ate at the Candlestick Inn, which overlooks Branson. After the Soji Tabuchi (spelling) Show, we returned to Springfield and finally at 11 pm I was able to switch to pajamas.
We were able to tour the original Greenwood building on the campus of Missouri State University which now houses the School of Education. The building shows wear and tear after all these years, but we enjoyed reliving special days of an earlier life. There was a swimming pool in the building and it now houses the ceramic division of the art department. Ceramic materials are now in the pool structure which is plainly in view. We then toured the new Greenwood and had lunch in one of the Commons areas of Missouri State University.
In the evening, we dined at Riverside Inn in Ozark, MO and had a time of remembrance as well as a skit, and trying to remember the businesses on the Springfield square when we were in high school. I gave out a lot of door prizes, including an autographed baseball by Lou Brock for Jerry Fallin's grandson.
Sunday we met informally in an area of Fay Ollis's apartment. Wayne Niederhuth, our class president, gave a devotional and then I went to the piano and we sang some Christian choruses. Good time!!
For me, the most striking thing about those in attendance, was their Christian commitment. Our original class had 28 members. Six are now deceased and 17 attended the reunion. Mike is a trustee in his church; Paul is a trustee in his church;
Wayne is a pastor; Jerry is a leader in his church, FBC-Orlando, Fl: George is a pastor, David, Beverly, Barbara, Ann, Gigi, and Bill are active in their churches.
Today, I went to the Christian Businessmen's Prayer Breakfast. Cal Thomas was the speaker. God is really GOOD.
There was not a time for me to change my dress because our group was to leave Springfield at 2 pm for the bus ride to Branson. Everyone else was dressed appropiately for Branson. I was still in my board meeting attire. At Branson, suddenly the rain stopped and the sun came out and I was still in my more formal dress. It was very hot as we toured the Landing and then ate at the Candlestick Inn, which overlooks Branson. After the Soji Tabuchi (spelling) Show, we returned to Springfield and finally at 11 pm I was able to switch to pajamas.
We were able to tour the original Greenwood building on the campus of Missouri State University which now houses the School of Education. The building shows wear and tear after all these years, but we enjoyed reliving special days of an earlier life. There was a swimming pool in the building and it now houses the ceramic division of the art department. Ceramic materials are now in the pool structure which is plainly in view. We then toured the new Greenwood and had lunch in one of the Commons areas of Missouri State University.
In the evening, we dined at Riverside Inn in Ozark, MO and had a time of remembrance as well as a skit, and trying to remember the businesses on the Springfield square when we were in high school. I gave out a lot of door prizes, including an autographed baseball by Lou Brock for Jerry Fallin's grandson.
Sunday we met informally in an area of Fay Ollis's apartment. Wayne Niederhuth, our class president, gave a devotional and then I went to the piano and we sang some Christian choruses. Good time!!
For me, the most striking thing about those in attendance, was their Christian commitment. Our original class had 28 members. Six are now deceased and 17 attended the reunion. Mike is a trustee in his church; Paul is a trustee in his church;
Wayne is a pastor; Jerry is a leader in his church, FBC-Orlando, Fl: George is a pastor, David, Beverly, Barbara, Ann, Gigi, and Bill are active in their churches.
Today, I went to the Christian Businessmen's Prayer Breakfast. Cal Thomas was the speaker. God is really GOOD.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Greenwood High School - Springfield, MO
My mother enrolled me in Greenwood shortly after I was born. I began formal education in Greenwood's kindergarten along with 29 other children, a class of 15 boys and 15 girls. Greenwood was not a private school, but a school located on the campus of Missouri State University that served as a training school for prospective teachers. I was blessed to have excellent teachers along the way and spent 13 years in that school.
It is interesting to note that even with 30 young people in our class, each one graduated from high school and matriculated into college. Not everyone graduated from college, but most did. Still today, I enjoy relationships with several of those classmates.
This weekend, I will return to Springfield for a reunion with at least 17 members of my class. Of the original group, six have died which makes the turnout for the weekend remarkable. We plan to go by bus to Branson for dinner and the Shoji Tobuchi Show. The trip to and from Branson should be a good time catching up because we always take up where we left off. On Saturday, we will visit the building that housed Greenwood when we were students. It is now the education building of Missouri State. Memories will be voiced and so many good times remembered. Saturday evening, we will meet for dinner at Riverside Inn in Ozark, MO. My uncle Will Keltner took me there when I was about 3years old. During the evening, we will have some entertainment by a couple of classmates, a challenge of their recall about Springfield, and I am going to give each member of the class some kind of remembrance of the evening. I plan to give Jerry Fallin a baseball autographed by Lou Brock for his grandson. Sue helped produce a mini-yearbook of those who will attend the reunion. In that little book are answers to some questions and pictures of classmates, their families, a look at the old days and a view of previous reunions. Sue worked that into her altogether too busy schedule and if there is one person who has no appreciation of the book, they will have to deal with me.
Sunday morning, we will meet for brunch and a message from our class president, Wayne Niederhuth. Wayne is a pastor and has also served as a Navy Chaplain. We will sing a few choruses of praise before ending the reunion. It is so special that almost all members of the class are active in a church. My first remembrance of the hymn "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" was not singing it in church, but in the processional to begin the elementary Christmas program at Greenwood.
Sharing these remembrances on the blog is for my benefit I guess. I hope it rings a bell of thanksgiving for all that God has given you. God truly is SO good.
It is interesting to note that even with 30 young people in our class, each one graduated from high school and matriculated into college. Not everyone graduated from college, but most did. Still today, I enjoy relationships with several of those classmates.
This weekend, I will return to Springfield for a reunion with at least 17 members of my class. Of the original group, six have died which makes the turnout for the weekend remarkable. We plan to go by bus to Branson for dinner and the Shoji Tobuchi Show. The trip to and from Branson should be a good time catching up because we always take up where we left off. On Saturday, we will visit the building that housed Greenwood when we were students. It is now the education building of Missouri State. Memories will be voiced and so many good times remembered. Saturday evening, we will meet for dinner at Riverside Inn in Ozark, MO. My uncle Will Keltner took me there when I was about 3years old. During the evening, we will have some entertainment by a couple of classmates, a challenge of their recall about Springfield, and I am going to give each member of the class some kind of remembrance of the evening. I plan to give Jerry Fallin a baseball autographed by Lou Brock for his grandson. Sue helped produce a mini-yearbook of those who will attend the reunion. In that little book are answers to some questions and pictures of classmates, their families, a look at the old days and a view of previous reunions. Sue worked that into her altogether too busy schedule and if there is one person who has no appreciation of the book, they will have to deal with me.
Sunday morning, we will meet for brunch and a message from our class president, Wayne Niederhuth. Wayne is a pastor and has also served as a Navy Chaplain. We will sing a few choruses of praise before ending the reunion. It is so special that almost all members of the class are active in a church. My first remembrance of the hymn "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" was not singing it in church, but in the processional to begin the elementary Christmas program at Greenwood.
Sharing these remembrances on the blog is for my benefit I guess. I hope it rings a bell of thanksgiving for all that God has given you. God truly is SO good.
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