Kevin and I have been friends since we played volleyball on opposite sides of the net during our college years. As island boys (he being from Hawaii, and I being from Guam), we hit it off from the start. We also worked together on camp staff in the early 2000s. Most recently, we have teamed up in writing some music and partnering in camp ministry out in Hawaii. I thank the Lord for this dear friend and like-minded brother in Christ!

My first introduction to Greg was all the way back during my freshman year of college when he and I worked in the same office. Years later, I fell in love with the work that he and Chris Anderson did on ChurchWorksMedia. It was a blessing to get reacquainted with him a few years ago, and it has been a joy and privilege to work with him on “In You I Hope.”

Alex and I met several years ago when I moved to NC to step into my new roll as pastor of Bethany Hills Baptist Church (now Trinity Bible Church). At that time, she was one of the teens in the youth group here, and, soon after, she began teaching my oldest daughter the piano. Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching her grow, mature, go off to college, get married, and continue her life and ministry there in SC. What a joy it has been to partner with her in writing a hymn for the church!

Recently, the Lord has opened the door for me to work with Dr. Gary Hallquist. Gary has a passion for worship and for teaching others about worship and has served on the staff of Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC since 2009. He is a gifted composer and orchestrator and has used his gifts for the Lord’s glory for many years. It is a joy and a privilege to work with Gary to serve the church!

Dave and I met in a mutual friend’s basement at The Wilds Christian Camp, near Brevard, NC. We were both there to watch a baseball game and enjoy some fellowship, and the rest (as they say) is history! He was the youth and music pastor under Tom Craig at Oak Ridge Baptist in Tennessee, until Tom passed away from cancer. Most recently, we have had the joy of partnering in ministry at Trinity Bible Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC.

James and I got acquainted back during our college days. It was evident then, that he was a gifted musician. Since that time, he has come to be known as a great composer and arranger as well. He currently serves on the pastoral staff of Mikado Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia, and he publishes his musical work on his website KoertsMusic.com.

William James Kirkpatrick was born in 1838 to a musical family. In 1854 he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to study music and carpentry. During the Civil War, he served as a fife major with the 91^st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. Following the war he was connected with the furniture industry, but at the death of his first wife he left that occupation and devoted himself entirely to his music ministry. He published his first collection, Devotional Melodies (1859), at the age of 21. He went on to compile about 100 books. He wrote the music to many gospel songs.

Matt has been a good friend since our college days when we worked together at BJU’s Information Desk. After graduating from college, Matt and his wife, Christy, traveled with the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team for three years. In 2005, the Taylors joined the staff at The Wilds where he serves as the Music Director. Much of Matt’s work is available through The Wilds’ Music.

Eric is my pastor. He has been my dear friend and mentor since we first ministered together at Grace Bible Church in Moore, SC back in 2001. In 2011, we had the privilege of serving the Lord together once again at Calvary Bible Church in Columbus, OH (the church he currently serves as Senior Pastor).

Dave and I go way back. He was my choir and band director at Harvest Christian Academy on Guam, and we have been good friends ever since. He is a gifted pianist and composer. He currently serves as the Music Director at Community Baptist Church in Clayton, NC, has published much of his own work on his personal music site MincyMedia.com.