"Undivided"

“Undivided”

 

In 1977 a young couple, Gayle and Dan Troy, began working with a youth ministry made up of teens from three churches in southern New Hampshire. The kids enjoyed the music the Troys provided so they decided to present a night of Easter music in 1978. When several adults liked what they saw they joined and the group grew to 15. The undertaking proved successful so plans were made to do a similar program the following spring. From those small beginnings The Dove Singers expanded to some 120 singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and technicians each year. Participants have come from about 50 churches, including a number from neighboring states. Many from our congregation in Manchester were part of the effort. As a pastor I was thrilled to see God’s people working together in a common purpose (“…In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”—Romans 12:5).

I spoke with Gayle and Dan recently to prepare for writing this article. When I asked when they began Dove the response was, “We didn’t start it, God did.” They’ve always seen it as His work and made themselves available as His means for doing it. When Gayle described the concept to some she was told, “It can’t be done.” But God proved the naysayers wrong. The biggest blessing was seeing people from all (or no) church backgrounds coming together to glorify God by telling the Easter story through music.

Rehearsals began the first Monday night in January and preparations continued into March with four performances in area churches on weekend evenings just prior to Resurrection Day (my preferred name for the celebration of the most significant event of our faith). Thousands have been blessed over the years as they’ve seen and heard the story of the completed work of Christ shown in this unique way. At the close of each program the entire troupe has always sung its theme song, “Undivided” by Melodie Tunney. The most meaningful lines express the thrust of the entire ministry: “It doesn’t matter if we agree, All He asks is that we serve Him faithfully…In our hearts, we’re undivided, bound by His Spirit forevermore.”

On March 26, 2017, The Dove Singers will lift their voices for the last time as Gayle and Dan “retire” after 40 years of God-focused leadership. What “couldn’t be done” was done for 40 years to God’s glory. All I can say is, “Well done (and sung), Gayle and Dan. You’ve showed how we’re undivided in Jesus.” God bless you in the years ahead!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For performance schedule and other information please visit www.dovesingers.org)