Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18

I served on the board of directors of CFAMC, held a Christian poetry contest for seven years,  compose music, taught free shape-note classes, and promoted local singing groups on the radio. I believe the arts should occupy a primary place within the church. We express our worship of God mainly through our arts. The arts also give Christians the opportunity to contemplate the things of the God.

Privately, I have often vented about the state of the arts in churches.  I have often found myself with Elijah complaining that, “I alone am left.”  However, it seems like every time I grumble to God, I get a pleasant surprise — I AM NOT THE LAST MAN STANDING.

I was so encouraged last week at the Stamps-Baxter Music School. We have an entire generation of young folks learning how to sing parts and write new music. There are folks, like Charles Towler, that are actively publishing new convention books. There are convention style singings all through the south. Praise God! I am not the last man standing.

— Donnie Bryson