FROM THE DESK OF BILLY BLACKWOOD

Dear friend,

I hope this finds you having a great day!

I want to let you know about an opportunity our family has to serve on a short term missions trip this summer. My wife and I, my oldest daughter, Brette, her boyfriend, Derek, and my youngest daughter, Ellie, are planning to go to Port au Prince, Haiti from June 28th - July 4th.

We will be serving in an orphanage in the city and helping to conduct some VBS like events for children there as well as seeking to meet their physical and emotional needs. Also, we are each taking a bag of clothes, gifts, and supplies to leave with a local pastor for distribution to those in greatest need.

While the 7.0 earthquake of 2010 has long since left our minds in the US, Haiti continues to struggle to recover and rebuild from the devastation left in it’s wake. Basic necessities are in short supply, infrastructure is in disrepair and poverty is rampant. Haiti and it’s neighbor, the Dominican Republic, are said to be the poorest places in the western hemisphere.

The trip cost is $1950.00 per person. If you would like to have a part in helping to send us you can make a tax-deductible contribution to Billy Blackwood Ministries, Inc., a 501c3 non profit corporation in the state of Tennessee, for which you will receive a tax deduction at the beginning of 2015. Our mailing address is P O Box 777, Goodlettsville, TN 37070.

If you cannot help to send us we would ask that you pray for us as we go. Brette accompanied me on a mission trip to Tecate, Mexico when she was seven, and my wife and I have both been to Jamaica. But this will be a first time experience for both Ellie & Derek. Those of you who have been on trips like this know the impact of them. I am expecting God to use this trip to change the course of our lives for the rest of our life here on earth.

Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support. We will be sending a report with pictures via email upon our return. May God bless you richly as you serve Him.


Billy Blackwood

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet: A Night Like Never Before

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
Concert Review by Vivian Belknap
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Grand Prairie, Texas

How many quartets can say they are celebrating 80 years of classic southern gospel music? In 2014, Billy Blackwood continues the legacy started in 1934 by his Dad, James Blackwood.
I had the great privilege to attend a concert featuring Billy Blackwood and The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, February 13, 2014, hosted by Pastor Bill Webb and the Bible Believer’s Assembly of God Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. Those in attendance were treated with what Pastor Webb told Billy earlier in the afternoon would be “a night like never before.”
The Quartet consists of lead singer, Billy Blackwood; Wayne Little, tenor; Butch Owens, bass and Michael Helwig, baritone.

The “night like never before” began with the classic feel of “The Joy of Knowing Jesus.” The presence of the Holy Spirit was sweetly strong as the concert continued with songs like “The Old Country Church,” “It Is No Secret” and “The Lighthouse.” Billy introduced a new song he wrote, “That’s What Heaven Will Be.”

As though it couldn’t get any better, Billy shared his heart. He proclaimed the goodness and grace of our Father through Jesus. He said, “Gospel music is not defined by the music, but by the message. The message makes it gospel music.” Then we heard the majestic orchestration of “Declaration of Dependence,” from their album “Sweet Songs About Heaven.” The song strongly declares our dependence on Jesus.

Big John Hall was in the audience and Billy asked him to come to the stage. As John walked on stage, with tears in his eyes, he said, “Your dad never missed a note; he never missed a beat; never, ever.” Such a sweet time we got to see between these two men. Then we were blessed to hear John sing, “How Big is God.”
The evening ended with the quartet singing a medley of audience requested songs. Then Billy closed in prayer; the presence of our Lord was amazing as Billy said, “I don’t want to leave Your presence.” “There’s a Sweet Spirit in This Place,” was the final song. Was it a night like never before? YES!
Billy Blackwood not only resembles his dad physically, but like James Blackwood, he is a gentleman on the stage, behind the product table and in the parking lot.
When you have the opportunity to see them in concert, you will leave blessed and renewed in spirit.
For The Blackwood Brothers tour schedule and other information, click on to http://www.blackwoodbrothers.com/