Hello Friends

My it’s been a long time since our last newsletter hit the streets.  The reason is we’ve been going through the financial grinder for the past year.  Our bus’ engine blew up last June, then the transmission had to be replaced in September, and all this on top of keeping up with the monthly payments.  Now she’s in pretty good shape and we’ve made our last 2 tours with out any problems.  Hallelujah!  There are some things that are still needed in the near future though like shocks and tires.
We have some great news for many that have been concerned for us.  We have finally been granted our non-profit status by the IRS.  This now means that all donations to this ministry are fully tax deductible.  We have been trying to do a new recording for the last two years and many things have stopped us from completing it.  Many of our friends are requesting the new material and we are feeling the obligation to get it completed.  We were able to get back into the studio in March and got about ¾ of the way through the recording part of the project and ran out of money.  It’s going to take about another $5,000 to complete the project.
It’s going to be hard to condense a years worth of news into the space allotted but here goes.  Our tour last May was great success (except for the bus break down) and we made many new friends and contacts.  We had to slow down in July though when Bill became seriously ill but he has recovered nicely.  We’ve had many fruitful revivals in last few months resulting in many lives saved and healed, churches set on fire for God and excitement brewing everywhere!
We made another tour through the south in October even though we were a little short handed.  Stephen (our Drummer) was not able to make the trip and Terry was unable to get time off from school and couldn’t go.  So Bill, Mark and myself (Ken), made the trip anyway and we had a blast.  It always seems that the last service on a tour is the reason for the whole trip.  God began to move in a very special way and His Spirit was evident when one of the members of the church witnessed a fog in the sanctuary.  Many have seen this kind of thing and attribute this to the presence of God.  A young lady who was deeply involved in witchcraft and Satanism cam forward for prayer and after some diligent battling we got the victory and she was delivered from the enemies clutches.  Glory be to God.
In November, we picked up a young man by the name of Jeff Johnson to play the drums while Stephen stepped away.  He’s been a real asset to the ministry.  Through the winter months we stayed fairly busy here in California especially with the recording.  We got Stephen to make the April tour since Jeff couldn’t get time off from work.  Jeff has since began working to setup a new group with an old friend of his from Michigan and is no longer with us.  We are looking for a good pianist to our area that will be willing to work with us.  If you know of someone, have them give us a call.
Without adequate finances, discouragement set in and we were about ready to hang things up.  We kept our commitment to the Great Western Quartet Convention in May and the WSGMA Memorial day Concert.  It was during these events that many of our friends came to encourage us and lift us up and help us to ounce again realize who the real enemy is and that we cannot give up on what God has ordained.  Be in prayer with us will you?
As of this writing the only long distance tour on our books will be in October when we are scheduled for the “Suwannee River Jubilee” with The Dixie Echoes and The Florida Boys.  Be sure to check the schedule and look for us the next time we’re in your area.  We’re always glad to see all our friends everywhere we go.

God Bless and Keep You!!

First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List June, 1997

Hello again everyone:
My how time flies when you’re having fun.  It’s been a long stretch since our last newsletter and some of you have expressed concern, but we’re still here and still working hard for the Lord.  So let’s bring you up to date on a few things.
The bus broke down in November just as our schedule lightened up for the holidays, so it stayed in the shop until mid January.  It still needs some more shop time and parts in order to get it back into top shape.
A lot of people have been asking about our new recording project.  It has been put on hold for the time being, pending finances.
Our song, Midnight Cry has been getting air play on many radio stations around the country and several have us in top 20 on their chars.  Praise the Lord.  It’s been played in Southern Gospel and Contemporary formats.  We’ve also received some information that if the song continues to do well and makes it into the top 20 on national charts, there is a good chance we could land a recording contract with a major label, and that folks is very good news!  We are literally bouncing off the walls with glee over this one!
Terry and his wife Denise, were recently involved in an auto accident when a cement truck tried to run over them on a rainy day.  The car was totaled, but God brought them through with only minor bumps and bruises.
We’re in the final stages of planning our trip in May.  We will be visiting the great southern states from Arizona to Alabama and back.  We feel strongly that God is steadily preparing us for full-time ministry again.  In the early days of this ministry it was not difficult to do because all but one of us were single.  Now we all have families to support and it’s not an easy step to take.  We have faith that when God’s timing is right, the support will be there for us and we’ll be able to focus all our energy toward full time ministry.  Would you be in prayer with us concerning this matter?  Thank You!
Let me pause here just a moment to give a great big salute to Dan Hunter of The Crownsmen.  There have been many times when this ministry was in trouble and Dan came to our rescue.  Whether it be words of encouragement, use of the facilities at his home or carting us around in his bus, Dan has been there for us and many others and we pray that God will richly bless him for his love and faithfulness.  God Bless You, Dan.

Needless to say, we are staying very busy this year and we hope to see all of you soon.  So until we do see you may God richly bless and keep you and yours.   TLB

First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List February 1996

Hello again everyone!

What a wonderful summer The Lighthouse Boys have been having.  We had a marvelous time at the last concert and if you missed it then you just missed it.  Things have been really busy for us almost every weekend traveling and meeting new friends, greeting old acquaintances and just having a lark in the Lord.  We had heard a few months back that Kenny Goff had very serious emergency surgery and were glad to see him recovering very nicely when we were with them in August.  The WSGMA Labor Day concert in Modesto was a great success.  It’s always good to get together with the other groups and all of our supporters for a good time of fellowship and Gospel Singing.

Recently we were invited to sing on the first night of revival at Faith Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield.  What we weren’t told was that a good friend of ours Rev. Russell Wolfe from Illinois was the evangelist.  We were excited and thrilled to see him again.

The Toys for Tots concert at Ridgecrest First Baptist Church was a success.  The attendance was good and the fellowship was great.  Thanks again to Pastor Jerry Goodman, Harvey Farrington and Ken Fish for their hard work in putting this event together.  We’re always glad when we have a chance to be with all of our friends in Ridgecrest.  We had the New Creations with us and we consider ourselves blessed to be associated with such a talented and loving group.

May God bless and keep you and yours.  TLB.

First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List September 1995

Hi Folks:
Well I think summer is finally here, what do you think?  This has been some crazy weather we’ve been having this year.  I always like summer time because it’s filled with warm days and fun holidays and “VACATIONS!” Hope your 4^th of July was a happy one.
July finds another 5^th Saturday Sing on my calendar, I trust yours does also.  We’re going all out for this one and we really need your participation.  We’ve rented the Standard School auditorium, bought radio time and newspaper adds in addition to mailing out all theses newsletters.  The turnout at previous 5^th Saturday Sings has been very poor and that makes it hard for us to keep doing this.  Many have made the comment to me that they would love to see these types of concerts come back to this area and we have yet to see any of them attend one.  We do have a few faithful who have been to most of the concerts and for that we say thanks for your support.  All we’re saying is we need some participation; we need you to come and experience the excitement you’ve been missing.  Come and attend your first 5^th Saturday Sing and help keep Southern & Country Gospel Music alive and well in the San Joaquin Valley.
We have been really busy in the last few months and our calendar is filling up quickly for the rest of the year.  The song  Midnight Cry from our latest recording has been included on a compilation CD from Radio Recourse and is on it’s way to over 1800 radio stations.  If you haven’t heard it on the radio yet, call your favorite station and ask them to play it.  Be in prayer with us concerning this venture that it will begin to pave the way to full time ministry for The Lighthouse Boys.  We’ve been getting some positive response from people in the industry and they’re interested in what we have to offer.
Again our prayer is that God will keep you and bless you and yours.  Hope to see you soon.    TLB.

First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List June 1995

Hi Folks:
OOOPPPSS!!!!! We dropped the ball! Our Newsletter for December never made it to the post office & we had several people express concern at not receiving one.  Sorry about that.  The holidays are very busy for everyone and the deadline slipped by before we knew it, our apologies.
We had some much needed time off after the New Year which was nice for recharging the batteries and getting ready for a busy 1995.  We’re always excited about what God is doing in this ministry and can hardly wait to see what He does next.  We’ve just come off of a couple of 3 day revivals and have no doubt that “REVIVAL” is coming to the body of Christ.
Our next 5^th Saturday Sing is coming at the end of this month.  Our featured guests are the Crownsmen.  You may remember them from years past as a talented group with vitality and a unique sound.  I’m sure you will enjoy them as much as we do.  We will also be featuring a trio called Wings of Love.  Come be with us and bring a friend.
Good things are happening and we continually “Give God the Praise and Glory” in all things good and bad.  Until we meet again “May God richly bless and keep you” is our prayer.

First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List April 1995

Greetings in Jesus Name:
We’s like to say Hi to all of our new friends that have recently signed up on the mailing list.  We had a wonderful time on our Washington Tour.  You folks were friendly and helpful and we appreciate all that you did for us.  Also a special thanks to Larry and Diep Miller and Larry and Lynn Strickland for being such wonderful hosts during our stay.
Our recent trip to the Bay area was extremely successful in term of souls touched by the Power of God.  I firmly believe that we saw the fires of revival ignited and we’re expecting to here some good reports of what God is doing in that area.
We also had a marvelous time in Ridgecrest, CA, at the First Baptist Church.  Several other churches in the area came to be with us for the evening and we all had a joyous time of good Gospel singing.  Thanks to Harvey Farrington for setting everything up and to Ken Fish of KZIQ for all the promotions and for a great job as Master of Ceremonies.
Until next time, our prayer remains that God will bless you and keep you until He returns.
First Published for The Lighthouse Boys Mailing List September, 1994