Freshly Singing the Old-Time Hymns
Under the Radar, a radio, music-ministry of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), recently sponsored a 10-day tour in which three Nashville musicians performed a blend of remade, classic hymns and new original hymns for audiences at several, Chicago-area retirement communities.
Under the Radar is a program of Reframed Ministries, which is the English-language outreach for the CRC’s electronic media ministry Back to God Ministries International.
In its radio program, Under the Radar features well-crafted songs by under-appreciated Christian artists. More information about this ministry can be found at RadarRadio.net.
On the tour, singers/songwriters Andrew Greer and Julie Lee and keyboard and guitar-player Kyle Buchanan performed hymns that, even in remade form, deeply touched the elderly men and women in their audiences.
Dave Trout, host and producer of Under the Radar, decided to sponsor the tour even though the ministry’s core audience is in the 25-45 age group.
“We know that hymns transcend time and generations," said Trout.
"We knew this hymn-based tour would provide a great opportunity to bless an older generation. Not only did we see toes tapping and folks singing along, but it helped all of us … to reflect on the timeless truths in the songs."
Barb Van Milligan, coordinator of Life Enrichment at Holland Home in the Chicago area, said hymns can be a living symbol of God's grace.
“It runs the full gamut. For instance, my mother-in-law has dementia,” said Van Milligan. “She can’t remember what she had for lunch. But as I watched her during the program she sang every word of every hymn—words that stay with us until the very end. Anyone who can refresh those memories is always welcome here.”
At each event, Andrew Greer shared a scripture passage from 2 Corinthians 5, a Bible passage that he shares with audiences that has been important to him and can connect especially with seniors.
The scripture passage, he said, discusses how “when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven - God-made, not handmade - and we'll never have to relocate our tents again.”
Sharon Nelson, a volunteer at one of the communities, River Oaks Garden, said she watched with satisfaction and happiness as several dozen senior citizens sang along to the 1914 James C. Moore hymn, "Where We'll Never Grow Old."
While the goal was to serve and reach out to these different senior communities, the musicians and Under the Radar staff were also blessed by participating in the tour.
"Residents of retirement homes have lived through many of the tragic scenarios that moved hymn writers to pen the great songs of our faith," Andrew Greer said.
"And so as younger folk, we learn a great deal from their perspectives on life and the way their faith has been sustained in spite of their current circumstances."
Julie Lee said that, even though she performs often before various audiences, playing for “the senior communities was, for me personally, the most meaningful experience I have had both spiritually and musically in a long time.”
"The entire tour was a glowing success," said Trout. "But, especially, it was a rare treat for us to partner in a unique way with our oldest generation. It reminded me of Proverbs 11, which says, 'Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed’.”
