Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: Closer: Then and Now
Closer: Then and Now
December 9, 2005
With a rich southern gospel edge matched with hearts heavy to spread Jesus’ love, in the winter of 1996 a group of four MBU students dramatically reintroduced a seemingly fading style of music.
“We all had a pretty solid musical foundation,” recalled Mark Meyers, one of the original members who now serves as the associate pastor of music and education at Harmony Baptist Church in Waynesville, Mo. “So, one night in the middle of a stairwell of our residence hall we came up with an arrangement of Amazing Grace. And that’s how it really started.”
Stairwell rehearsals quickly turned into booked tours and packed venues. Before long, MBU’s Closer, a men’s quartet known for their foot-tapping tunes of today blended with age-old hymns, was racking up a host of awards and a loyal fan base.
In 1997, Closer’s unique sounds won the group top honors in the Goodlife Promotions Group Competition, beating out a multitude of entrants from a five-state region. In 1998, the group successfully cut their solo album, “Closer to Jesus.”
“At the time we just loved to sing together,” Mark explained. “But we would always give the Gospel presentation and explain what those songs meant to us. Closer really turned into a traveling ministry.”
Despite their vast array of achievements, in 1999 signs of the group’s ending became clear. One by one members of the group graduated from MBU, before pursuing a wide range of solo projects. One left for Nashville to pursue a career as a recording artist. Another went on to star in the off-Broadway production of Forever Plaid. By the beginning of the new century, Closer’s seemingly unforgettable harmonies and melodic blends were all but fading memories.
That was then.
Now, nearly a decade after the group was originally formed, the mission of sharing the Gospel through an eclectic array of hymns and ditties of today continues—albeit with a new generation.
In an effort to once again offer the rich southern gospel style of music, MBU announced the rebirth of Closer in the fall of 2005.
“This style of music is a niche that has gone unheard for too long,” said Rob Cornwell, director of both Closer and constituent relations and alumni affairs. “Many churches, especially smaller churches in rural areas, really long for this music. It’s great because we’re able to share God’s love and message through song, in a very creative way.”
Shortly after making his way to MBU, Jordan Cox, a freshman and member of the new group, heard rumors that MBU was contemplating a revival of Closer. Reared hearing and singing rich, southern gospel songs of the infamous Gaither family, Jordan is confident that Closer will bring a style of music that people are longing to hear. After all, it’s a style of music he’s longing to share.
“I really am hoping this will allow us to lead in worship,” said Jordan, a Jackson native. “People really enjoy this style of music because it is jazzed up but really has a sense of familiarity.”
Alongside Jordan, senior Philip Giacomelli, junior Scott Tobin and freshman Aaron Holman make up the new Closer. The group not only collectively brings years of vocal performance, but, more importantly, they bring a desire to impact people for their faith.
And so while years have past since the original group formed, somehow their vision to impact people for Jesus has not.
“I am hopeful that through our talents and gifts that the people listening will find a sense of being Closer to God,” Jordan said.
Where Are They Now:
The original Closer performs at an unknown venue. From left is: Mark Meyers, Patrick Brawner, Bradley Andrews and Bryan Andrews.
Andrews, Bradley ’00, BA in Church Music is the Director of Worship Arts at Grace Church in St. Louis. Brad serves as primary worship leader for weekend services totaling over 3,000 people, and serves in a pastoral/shepherding role for the entire department. Brad is married to Holly (Imler), ’00, BS in Communications. They have two children, Cooper (age 3 ˝) and Margo (age 2). BradA@gracestl.org
Meyers, Mark ’99, BA in Music Education has been serving as Associate Pastor of Worship and Education at Harmony Baptist Church in Waynesville, MO since September of 2002. Mark and his wife, Amy, have a daughter named Selah Wren (2 years old) and are expecting a son (to be named Lincoln) this month.
Brawner, Patrick ’99, BA in Religious Education is serving as the Worship Pastor at New Life Church in Cary, NC, a suburb of Raleigh. He moved to North Carolina shortly after finishing an additional ministry program at Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK in 2004.
Arnold, Timothy ’00, BA in Music Education is the Fine Arts Department Chair for Hazelwood Central High School and Hazelwood Middle School. Tim also serves as the Choral Director for Hazelwood Central High School. Tim and his wife, Jessica (Fears), ’00, BA in Music Education live in Florissant, Mo. and attend Grace Church in St. Louis where they both sing on the praise team.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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