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Beginnings of Spirit Wing

Twenty years ago Steve Rice, then director of admissions, had a vision for a music group that would break the music ensemble mold. His concept was to create a collegiate ministry group that would travel the state sharing their testimony in song. Collegiate music groups have toured for years but Steve saw the need for one that focused on ministry – and Missouri Baptist University was the ideal environment to foster this new group.

So in the summer of 1984, eight students joined together in a musical-ministry boot camp to prepare for the journey ahead.

“Steve met with us individually and stressed that this group was first and foremost a ministry,” said Keith Ross, charter member of Spirit Wing. “The vision was three fold: to minister, to be ambassadors for the [University], and to become the premier collegiate contemporary Christian ensemble in the Midwest.”

For twenty years they have held to that vision, traveling across the nation and performing to hundreds of thousands of people. Since their humble beginning - singing for their first time in the campus’ weekly chapel service - they have been fortunate to perform in a variety of arenas. In addition to recording and producing six albums, Spirit Wing has been featured at dozens of conventions and associations, at Six Flag’s Christian Family Day and has even opened for the renowned CCM group Truth.

They were always a ministry group, however, before they were performers. Between the times on stage, the students spent more time serving as counselors in Disciple Now groups, church camps, and ministering most summers at Christian youth camps. While their musical reputation was what people saw, behind the scenes it has always been about the Message.

‘Wingers

Imagine a large vehicle packed with luggage for an army and over a dozen people with different gifts and personalities, and you’ve got the typical Spirit Wing road trip. Traveling from town to town several weekends a year with each other develops friendships that endure a lifetime.

“It’s like we’re our own reality T.V. show,” said current director Vince Henthorn. “We get to know each other a little during summer practices, and then we’re thrust into traveling almost every weekend in a van that’s just a little bit too small. In conditions like those, you quickly become each other’s family.”

Although changing year by year, the members of Spirit Wing have been first hand witnesses to dynamic hand of God. They have shared Christ with thousands and each time someone makes the life changing decision, it reaffirms the need and for a group like Spirit Wing to share the Message of His love.

When God places His hand of favor over a group, His blessings overflow to others they touch. “What started as a small seed,” notes former ‘Winger and director Lee Sisney, “has not only grown and blossomed, but sprouted.”

Life After Spirit Wing

Life after Spirit Wing has proven to be fruitful for many ‘Wingers. The former group Truth has also included quite a few ‘Wingers in its numbers over the years. Many have released solo CD projects, including the recent release of “I Wait” from Angela (Harrelson) Cruz. Kristin Swinford sang with Spirit Wing in 1998, just before she helped form the chart-topping contemporary Christian trio ZOEgirl.

Continuing in the vocal threads of Spirit Wing, several post-collegiate vocal groups have been formed, including Closer, 90 and 9, Tender Heart, and many others. Some ‘Wingers reside in Nashville and work in the music industry doing session work as vocalists or musicians.

Beyond Nashville, Spirit Wing members have moved to other ministry opportunities at churches, filling pastoral and laity rolls a dozens of churches. Spirit Wing helped teach them the lessons of ministry and through the ensemble many found their life’s calling.

Twenty Years of Ministry

In the ever changing scenery of campus life, collegiate vocal groups – especially Christian ministry groups - come and go as quickly as the students who comprise them. When a group has been around for twenty years it is because the hard work of many folded into the plan of the One. Vocal talent and leadership, although impressive, aren’t what has kept Spirit Wing growing stronger over the years. Something more powerful, yet less tangible serves as the bond.

Since the formation of Spirit Wing, other University groups have begun with the same basic vision. Differing themselves in musical style or through drama, the groups continue to reflect the Christian principles and ministry focus that MBU proclaims.

Through twenty years of ministry, Spirit Wing has become the premier contemporary Christian vocal group in the Midwest. Their talent, which seems to only increase year by year, is not their most notable characteristic. The mission of Spirit Wing – the very essence of the group – is their testimony.

At the close of many Spirit Wing performances, they sing a final song which has come to be their anthem. Written by former members for a special album project, the words capture the vision and mission that they live and sing.

“We are a testimony of Gold’s unfailing love.”

 

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