For the foreseeable future, I am putting a hiatus on the monthly themes and posting albums as the I feel the Lord directs my heart!
First, a few notes to make about this record: This is yet another Pentecostal record produced by David Huff and members of his band, David and the Giants, worked on this record. I know I've written about them before, but I have yet to see a comprehensive list of all the records David and his brothers have worked on in the UPC. Like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop, I may never know the true number. But as an archivist, the best I can do is tag David in the records he produced and help keep track here!
For today's post, I thought there was no better selection than this one since today is actually the good pastor Willhoite's birthday! He put out this record when he was just a few years younger than he is today!
He was the son of missionaries to the Philippines. Later in life, in 1976, he settled in to Baytown, TX, his hometown. He went to Texas Bible College and then worked as a traveling evangelist and staff minister for more than 25 years.
And, of course, he's a music minister.
Rev. Willhoite's musical ministry has touched several hearts over the years. One video of his duet with
Vera Swain in a hospital has generated over four million views! Now that's letting the light of God's gifts shine!
Sadly, it hasn't been all mountaintops and celebration in those years. Recently, I know the good Rev. suffered through hurricane Harvey and nearly lost everything he and his wife have worked for over the past 35 years. You can watch a
video of a song he wrote after his experience that would have crushed most spirits. (And is it just me, or is he playing the same guitar as seen on the record cover?!)
Also, I know that he and his wife had to struggle through a cancer scare. But soon after the hurricane hit, he shared the news that Sherry was cancer free! So even through the storms, and through the trials, Mark and Sherry have shown brilliantly with the light of Christ! I am truly moved and touched by their ministry and work in Christ's name!
In honor to Rev. & Mrs. Willhoite, I would like to share a poem from an old issue of Gospel Tidings magazine, slightly rewritten.
It's called "New Beginnings." Considering all that he and many more went through with Hurricane Harvey, I felt it was appropriate.
God began to speak while sitting on His throne
The angels all hushed, there is a message in His tone.
There's a difficult situation about to end,
And new beginnings about to begin.
I'm looking for a man in whom I can trust
To get in, work hard, and clean up the dust.
The Lord searched high, the Lord searched low.
Just who, just who could He get to go?
The Lord searched far, and the Lord searched wide
He checked all the beaches where all the waters betide.
The Lord gave a smile, and said, I know where to start,
I'll choose out a man who's after my heart.
He looked to the East and he looked to the West,
And chose out a couple who suited Him best.
The Lord looked out, and the Lord looked in
For a heart untainted by sin.
This man would have to be able to build,
Fight Satan's power and never to yield!
This man would have to be filled with God's charm:
To lead and guide His sheep but never to harm,
One who loves God and leads us to pray,
One who seeks God's will and shows us the way.
In Pastor Mark Willhoite, God found such a man,
He fitted perfectly into God's holy plan.
We're glad that you have come, we know that you care.
The burden of souls we're most happy to share.
Let's all pull together to get the job done,
The battle's almost over, the victory already won.
Thank you, pastor! And happy birthday!
Dear readers, I hope that this humble record and his ministry touches your hearts and life, too!
