Integrity is a word we don’t hear much about anymore. The word as defined in Webster’s Dictionary is adhering to moral and ethical principles. In a society of relative truth and the whole mantra of what’s best for you may not be best for me emerges a glimmer of hope. In a world where fathers are absent from the home and single parent families rise every day, a light shines through the darkness. In the midst of moral decay and job loss there is a solution. Jesus says to his disciples in John 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the father but by me.” I believe that Jesus is the only way and I also hear Paul’s words echo from Romans, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Over 2 decades ago, three men set out on a journey to be that glimmer of hope, to shine that light in the darkest night and to proclaim the solution that Jesus Christ is the only way. Greater Vision started their journey in 1990, but a lot of things have changed. According to group manager, Gerald Wolfe, “We travel to new places more often. We just returned from a trip to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, where we performed for three days at 'Canada’s Gospel Music Celebration.' After being home for a couple of days, we flew to Seattle to go on our 21st Alaska Cruise with Dr. Charles Stanley. We had to leave the cruise a day early to fly overnight for a concert in Chicago, before finishing out the weekend in Orleans, Indiana. That’s not a typical schedule, but we seem to be doing more of those types of things in the last few years.”
As many followers and fans of the ministry of Greater Vision, you’ve noticed that original tenor Chris Allman is back with the group singing the tenor part. Chris was an original member along with Gerald Wolfe and Mark Trammell. I asked Chris about some changes on the road and he said, “The biggest difference would have to be the fact that we've grown up quite a bit (especially me). All of those on our bus have experienced life and a lot of it. That, in turn, has made us wiser. What is amazing to me is that which hasn't changed. When this ministry began, the focus was to lift the Lord up through our music, carry ourselves with integrity and encourage the church with the good news of the gospel. That remains our focus and each one is just as excited today about the journey as the day we began. I'm proud to be back with the guys!”
As you know, Rodney Griffin is the songwriter in residence on the Greater Vision bus. The latest recording, The Only Way has several of Rodney’s offerings including a very unique song called NO LONGER CHAINED. Rodney says, “I had a rare opportunity to attend a Sunday night church service in my hometown of Somerset, KY last year. The preacher spoke on the apostle Paul…and his journeys. One comment he made was that he wondered what the roman soldier said when he got home from work each day…having been chained to the apostle Paul. 'He must have heard some preaching!.' I knew there was a song there. I hadn’t ever thought about the life of a Roman soldier before…but they were people too! I really like how the song turned out, and we’ve been singing it every night. I hoped the people would 'get it'…and they do!”
Rodney has written another song on the recording called WE STILL HAVE TO PRAY. Rodney says, “I was reading in Genesis 25 one day, and came on a story I’d never noticed before. The bible tells that Isaac came to the Lord on behalf of his wife…because she was barren. What? Isaac is the promised miracle child. How can your wife be barren when the only reason you were brought into this world was to multiply the seed of Israel? Yes…it happens. Even when we’re in God’s perfect will, we can still hit a brick wall. That’s when we need to look back and see what Isaac did…he prayed. After much thought, I wrote the song on our new project, 'We Still Have To Pray'."
As I continued talking with the guys, they have some exciting things lined up in the future taking them to different countries. Gerald explains, “We’re getting ready for a concert tour to the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Norway this Fall. That’s an area that’s just opened up for us in the last couple of years. We love singing to those folks! We’re also doing our first-ever New England Tour this Fall before we head overseas.
As you can see, the character, identity and integrity of Christ remains in the ministry of Greater Vision and each member of the group. Be looking for their first radio release off of THE ONLY WAY recording entitled, LIKE I WISH I’D LIVED which is a song that was penned by Rodney and features the group’s tenor Chris Allman.
For more information on Greater Vision - visit http://www.greatervisionmusic.com
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Written: 08/04/2011
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Wonderful article! When one attends a Greater Vision concert, the character, identity and integrity of Christ is definitely evident within their ministry. Thank you, Greater Vision, for consistently shining the light and faithfully proclaiming through word and song that Jesus Christ is the Only Way! I have been enjoying this new project,The Only Way. May God continually bless and enrich your lives and ministry! 
Amazed in His presence and humbled by His great love!
“God makes everything happen at the right time.” (In His Time) Eccl. 3:11
I so agree with (In His Time) comment... what a blessing it is to be in one of their concerts... so feel the presence of the Lord ..thank you GV... blessings on you always... may you continue to sing and give praise until Jesus comes...
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