Valley Gospel Fest 2009 Artists

The Apologetix - gets their unusual name from the word "apologetics" which means "the defense of the Christian faith." It's based on the Greek word for defense, apologia, which is in the original text of this Bible verse from the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (or defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

When a person is called an apologist these days, he could be defending a number of ideas. If you like soccer and you're trying to convince someone that soccer is a great game, you could be called a "soccer apologist." But the original apologists were the early Christians who were trying to defend their faith to outsiders (the Romans, for example) who thought they were a cult and were spreading unsubstantiated rumors about them.

When we picked the name back in 1992, it was because Christian apologetics was really important to us. As ApologetiX lead singer J. Jackson says:

"Although I went to 12 years of religious school (Grades one through 12) and attended church faithfully, participated in choirs, etc., before I became a born again Christian, I didn't have a clue as to exactly 'why I believed what I believed.' When atheists or agnostics or cultists wanted to debate with me, I'd run away.

"Then I started reading the Bible and really, really researching things, and I discovered that there is a whole lot of evidence to back it up. There's a whole lot more to the story, but the point is that I wanted to be able to help others know 'why they believe what they believe.' So we chose the name ApologetiX, adding the "X" on the end to make it look more modern and to ensure we had a name that nobody else had ever used. We liked the name ApologetiX because it could be used with a "the" in front to make it sound like a '60's/'70's vocal group ("The ApologetiX," the Stylistics, the Dramatics, etc.) or a without a "the" to make it sound like a modern rock group ("ApologetiX," Anthrax, etc.)

Plus, starting with an "A" puts our name near the top of the alphabetical lists on the Net, in stores, etc., too (Ha ha ha!)

For more information, please visit www.apologetix.com.

The Chrisagis Brothers - Brian & Shawn, both licensed ministers and founders of the Chrisagis Brothers Ministries and are sharing their powerful testimony and are ministering fulltime to all ages at churches, conferences, and seminars worldwide.

Presently the Brothers are starring in their own weekly Variety Series entitled "The Chrisagis Brothers & Friends". The Variety Show is cutting edge and is a mix of Carol Burnett, Donny & Marie, & Saturday Night Live. It is a landmark in ground breaking shows for Christian TV and the twins get to show their comical side. They are also working on bringing their talk radio show to TV in 2009 called 'God Thing' (named after their hit song), co-hosting the talk show is the lovely Linda A. Seidler. At this time 'God Thing' radio is on every Sunday Night in the tri-state area and will be syndicated throughout the United States in the near future.

The Brothers have just finished a new CD entitled "Playing With Life & Death". The CD is fun, inspiring, & powerful just like the brothers themselves. The Brothers believe the songs on this CD are songs from the Fathers' heart to His people. This CD will transcend almost every avenue for reaching people's deepest emotions with God, Family, & Country. Some songs include: 'Let The Whole World Know', 'Fallen', 'God Thing', 'The Walls' (of 9-11), 'I'm A Soldier', 'Barbies, Badguys, & Guns', & 'Jesus Heals Them All'.

The twins have appeared on TV, radio, and in Christian magazines all over the world. The Good News Gang Variety Series, which they wrote for the Sky-Angel TV Network, is currently running on KTV, the largest Christian Children's Network in the world. They hosted and wrote for Candid Camera, and have worked with several well-known celebrities from Hollywood such as Erik Estrada, Jack Scalia, Jennifer O'Neill, Lee Horsley, Lucky Vanous, Suzanne Summers, Peter Funt, Fred Travalena, Charles Wahlheim, Brett Baxter Clark, Kathy Troccoli, and Jo Ann Pflug to name a few.

"The Chrisagis Brothers are leading the way in good, clean entertainment for the entire family." —Kathleen Johnson, Vice President of Programming, SKY-ANGEL Network

Covenant Church Of Pittsburgh Choir And Praise Team -
Covenant Church of Pittsburgh is a multicultural congregation that exists to exalt God the Father, and to know Him as revealed in His son, Jesus Christ. Under the guidance of Bishop Joseph L. Garlington, this church is called to be a house of prayer, to bring reconciliation and healing to individuals, and to equip them to extend God's love to the nations.

For more information, please visit www.ccop.org.

George Furlow - I was born in the town of Grafton, WV. I moved from Grafton to Washington DC and on to Cumberland, MD and then on to Baltimore, MD. Our family finally settled in Pittsburgh, PA where I have lived for the past thirty five years. I attended Duquesne University and got a B.S.M.E of Music and a Master of Music in Saxophone. Since graduation of college, I've been a band director, teacher and Music Director/Associate Pastor at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh. In 1995, I felt God's call to move in the area of full-time music ministry to share with the Body Of Christ in a broader way. Having been a music director and raised in a church that was full of worship, it was God's plan to take those kinds of talents and experience into "All Nations". In 2001 I returned to Covenant Church Of Pittsburgh where I am once again the Music Director/ Worship Pastor serving with Bishop Garlington, Denise Graves, Clarence Grant, Alton Merrel and Toni Turner.

For more information, please visit www.georgefurlow.com.

Julie Hufstetler - Julie Hufstetler's passion is for truth – about God, about how much He loves and cares, how He lifts us up and offers us hope.

This singer/songwriter and worship leader encourages and connects with listeners, whether she's singing
alongside recording artist Mark Schultz or with noted speakers like Sheila Walsh, Dee Brestin and Nancy
Leigh DeMoss.

Julie's music reflects real life. Sometimes it's a fun drive down the highway, or a run through the grass barefoot. Other times it's a quiet afternoon, or a time of trial. The constant through her songs is Christ.

The title track of her first CD, Speak What I Believe, won grand prize at the 2004 Write About Jesus songwriting competition. Other favorites are the lively There Goes My Heart Again, a mother asking a blessing on her children as they go out... My Messiah, an anthem to the Savior...He Changes Everything, a radio tune inspired by missions... Strong Name of Jesus, with sound influenced by the music of India...
and the concluding prayer from her second CD, Keeper of My Soul.

On stage, she builds a relationship with her audience: more of a conversation than a performance. “I don't want it to be one-sided, one-way,” she says. “It's two-sided.”

The emotion that resonates most often in her music? “Longing for God,” she says.
Why? “Because that's me – there's always that longing to know who He is more and more.”
Julie has a growing desire to help India's Dalit people, who have been told for generations that they are less than human, and that God doesn’t love them.

“My passion is for the truth. I hate lies – about God, especially,” she says. “I hate it when the enemy lies to us and creates confusion and doubt. I really want to represent God in truth and get people to recognize Him for who He is.”

Her music is available online from iTunes, Amazon.com, Pandora, Real.FM and SNOCAP, among others. Her songs are known to Northeast Ohio listeners of Moody Radio WCRF (103.3 FM), WFHM The Fish (95.5 FM) and WNPQ The Light (95.9).

She and her husband, Guy, help lead worship at The Chapel, a non-denominational church of 8,000 in their hometown. They have three sons, Paul, Jesse and Cody.

“I like to have fun, but my goal isn't just to entertain,” Julie says. “I want these songs to mean something to people. When my music and lyrics stay with people and give them courage to find God's purpose for their life, or help them be more resolute to do the right thing, it doesn't get much better than that."

by writer Mitch McKenney
Kent State University Professor of Journalism
and former Akron Beacon Journal Editor

For more information, please visit www.juliehufstetler.com.

Ron Retzer - I have been a musician all of my life, and I pride myself on providing my listeners with the best-quality music that God has given me.  Feel free to look at my web site and get to know me a little better.  Thank you for being interested enough to type in www.ronretzer.com!

You can find out where I am playing.
You can contact me for appearances.
You can learn about my life and work.
You can hear some of my music.
You can see some pictures.
Or you can just fall asleep!
Enjoy!

Ron is a proud member of the following:
Musicians Union Local 142....Member of the Board
Ohio Education Association
Jefferson County Farm Bureau
Brilliant Lions Club
Brilliant Methodist Church
Smithfield Masonic Lodge
Wheeling Scottish Rite
Wheeling Osiris Shrine

For more information, please visit www.ronretzer.com.

Bill Themelaras And Friends

Bill Themelaras is a dynamic worship leader whose prophetic gifting creates moments of intimacy and joy with the Father. He seeks God’s heart and desire during each moment, which allows each event to be a unique experience. His newest album Keep Me is a collection of songs written during different emotional experiences with the Lord. It was produced by best selling recording artist and producer, Kevin Prosch. The song Keep Me is dedicated to Bill’s late father whose death was a result of the Persian Gulf War. Its prophetic sound creates a tunnel of worship that propels you to a deep place.

Bill and his family are members of Covenant Church of Pittsburgh pastored by Bishop Joseph and Pastor Barbara Garlington. He serves as an Associate Pastor and one of the worship leaders and is responsible for several weekly worship services including prophetic and intercession meetings.

Bill also travels as a worship artist and guest speaker. He leads prophetic worship conferences, workshops and speaks on various topics.

Bill Themelaras was born and raised in the Wheeling, WV area. Though he was a product of a broken home, he was determined to find God’s plan for his life. Bill began his walk with God in the United Methodist Church at an early age. He became involved with youth mission organizations and began leading teams of youth in evangelism. He then attended a church in Glen Dale, WV where God began to expand his areas of ministry with youth and music. His gifting and commitment ultimately allowed him to serve as the Youth Pastor and Worship Pastor for over 8 years.

He continues to serve this generation both as a musician and speaker.

Bill was the leader of the worship team JUDAH from 1995-2004, which traveled and recorded two live albums. Their first recording River Ablaze, released September 1998, is a vibrant live project. It has many popular songs as well as a few originals. JUDAH’s second recording A People Possessed was released in November 2000. It was also recorded live with international worship leader, Georgian Banov as a special guest artist. It contains much “spontaneous” music which was unrehearsed and created during worship.

Along with his music career, Bill has been happily married to his wife, Lynne for the past eleven years and is the proud father of his daughters, Nia and Skylar and his son, Cullen.

For more information, please visit www.billthemelaras.com.

Jonathan White - found a deep love for singing at an early age.

I'll have been singing since before I can remember,î recalled Jonathan. ìMy mom and dad would stand me up front and have me sing with my brothers and later my sister.î

Jonathan's father was a pastor, and eventually, he became an evangelist. Jonathan would sing along with his siblings and parents, and later in the service, his father would preach.

Those first few years were important to me,î said Jonathan. ìWe were our own little ëevangelistic' team.î

Those first several years were important in developing a heart for ministry in Jonathan. The seeds were planted, though Jonathan never pursued any kind of career in music until later in life.

In 1991, Jonathan was married to Sheila. However, despite this happy time in his life, tragedy soon struck his family.

ìNine months after I was married, May 16, 1992 to be exact, a drunk driver ran a red light going 90 MPH and hit my parent's car,î recalled Jonathan. ìMy father died instantly, and my mother lived for 16 days in the hospital and then went on home to Heaven.

Despite having only been married nine months, Jonathan and his wife Sheila took on a new role, as both his 10 year old sister and 16 year old brother were now under their care.

ìIt was amazing how much the Lord took care of us during this time,î said Jonathan.

It seemed like the Whites were entering a new, brighter phase of life when they found out that Sheila was pregnant the year following his parents' accident.

ìWe were so excited, because we were thinking that this would help heal the hurt that had been caused by losing my parents,î said Jonathan.

However, the doctors did not have good news for the Whites. Jonathan and Sheila were soon informed after their daughter's birth that the baby more than likely had Down Syndrome.

ìI was angry, thinking that God had given us second best,î said Jonathan. ìHowever, I have found that God knows exactly what he is doing, and He gave us the very best that he had. Brittany has been a wonderful blessing to us and many others.

ìI have written a song about her, and through our situation, I have been able to help others cope with having a child with disabilities,î Jonathan mentioned. ìBrittany is such a wonderful little girl, and we wouldn't trade her for the world.

A few years later, Jonathan and Sheila were blessed with another child, Austin, in February of 1996.

ìMy whole family is vital to my ministry. Austin helps me when we travel, and both he and Brittany sing with me on stage, î said Jonathan.

It is through these trying times that Jonathan has found his goal in life.

ìMy main goal in ministry is to encourage Christians in their walk with God, and to let them know that sometimes things happen that may seem horrible, but God can turn it around for good.

ìIt's all about reaching others for Christ,î mentioned Jonathan. ìIt is so exciting to have someone come forward and accept Christ as their Savior. It continues to amaze me that God would use someone like me to further His kingdom.

God has blessed me so much more than I ever expected, and I know that I am doing what he wants me to do,î said Jonathan. ìI am excited about what the future holds for me. I just want to continue to sing about Jesus to show others the way to him.

For more information, please visit www.jonathanwhitemusic.com.

Word Of Life Singers

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