[1]FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–When an international seminary student on a limited income couldn’t support her church’s building program financially, she decided to voice her support instead.
And Anita Thomas’ prayer is that her voice recorded on her debut album, “Reality,” will allow her to give to her church’s program financial, rather than just vocal, support. To that end, Thomas is donating every cent the album generates to her church, First Baptist of Alvarado, Texas.
Thomas, a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary master of music student from Australia since 1995, is nearing graduation and had wanted to make a recording before returning to Australia. She wanted to use the recording as a demo promoting music ministry in the land Down Under where, from her experience, there is no concept of music ministry apart from volunteers leading hymns during worship services.
When her home church in the United States, First Baptist Alvarado, announced its “United We Build,” project, Thomas knew she had to give. Yet being a visiting student with limited work hours, she knew monetary donations were impossible.
“God convicted me, and I decided, `I can’t give money but I can give my voice,'” she said.
Thomas committed all income from her first release to the building project even before cutting the recording or knowing how she would get the job done.
That’s when God stepped in. The cover photo and art were donated. Robert Elkins, a fellow music student, wrote lead sheets and gathered band members, who also volunteered. When Australian money devalued, First Baptist, Alvarado, underwrote recording studio costs which Thomas’ parents, in a step of faith, had originally agreed to pay.
“To be honest, I haven’t done a thing to make this album happen,” Thomas said. “Most of the people on this project came to me; I didn’t chase them. That’s why I know it’s a God CD.”
“Reality” was so named for the reality that, no matter what happens in life, Jesus Christ is real, Thomas said.
Knowing the project was risky since many of the album’s songs tell her personal story, Thomas is looking to God for strength to be vulnerable.
The recording is an eclectic mix of jazz, Celtic, reggae and other styles. Eight of the album’s songs were written by Thomas. Two were arranged by Elkins and one by fellow music student Brett Hawkins. Thomas’ brother, Leon, also a Southwestern music student, plays drums and strings. Some selections are instrumental and some vocal.
So far Thomas is getting rave reviews from listeners, especially the senior adult choir at First Baptist Alvarado, whose favorite piece is the reggae song, “One Woman, One Man.”
“Reality” will also get its international debut when Thomas takes copies home to Australia in late March when she goes to renew her student visa. It will go to Brazil this summer for Leon’s wedding.
After Thomas completes her degree this spring, she plans to sing and teach in the United States one more year. Thomas, a violist, taught high school music after graduating from Queensland Conservatory of Music in Australia.
Thomas and Leon currently serve together at First Baptist Alvarado, he as music minister and she as pianist and children’s choir director. The church provides “tremendous support,” and she credits the church with making the project itself a reality.
“I hope blessings fall on First Baptist, not just monetary but ministry blessings as they touch lives,” she said, noting the church’s emphasis on God’s mission work worldwide.
When Thomas returns to her homeland, she hopes to serve God through music ministry using the models she learned in America. A few Australian churches have choirs, and though lots of church members play in bands, there is no concept of worship and church music like she has experienced in the States.
When she returns Down Under, she will be missed at Southwestern.
“When Anita arrived, it was as if a breath of fresh air blew through our school,” noted Joe King, associate dean of church music performance at Southwestern and director of Southwestern Singers, in which Thomas and Leon participate. “They have a positive influence on the whole student body because of their desire to learn.”
Thomas claims the promise of Psalm 37:4-5 as “Reality” meets listeners: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord…”(NIV).
“Reality” is available for $10 per cassette and $15 per CD from Southwestern’s Bowld Music Library circulation desk at (817) 923-1921, ext. 2710, or First Baptist Alvarado at (817) 790-5181.