TRBC Worship Pastor Charles Billingsley presents his 3,000th concert this weekend. He chose Thomas Road’s Worship Center as the place where he wanted to host it. It’s free and starts at 6:00 PM Sunday. With the 20-year anniversary of Charles Billingsley’s national ministry, this is a good time to feature his journey.

Despite being called to full-time Christian ministry in the 7th grade, Charles’ career in music began in an unlikely way, when a high school friend dared him to sing a solo in Sunday School. Though the solo was his first involvement in music, the performance impressed church leaders who later asked him to sing on various occasions. Even as a college student, Charles believed his ministry would be in the pastoral realm, but opportunities to sing continually arose. He performed his first concert the day after graduating from Samford University, and in his words he “never looked back.”

Charles’ diverse career includes performing with countless popular Christian artists. He has performed in over 1,900 churches and served as the full-time worship pastor for both Shadow Mountain Community Church and TRBC. Charles first connected with Thomas Road during the three years he was a member of NewSong, and in 2002 his family relocated to Lynchburg to join TRBC. After moving to San Diego to serve as worship pastor at Shadow Mountain, Charles returned to Thomas Road in February 2007. “It was kind of one of those God moments,” shared Charles. “When Dr. Falwell died three months later I realized why God had called me back here.”

From his acknowledgement that he’s more into sports than music and doesn’t think music ministry is vital to the life of the church at all, Charles defies stereotyping. “Music is not vital, but worship is vital. My job more than anything is to bring the people of God into the presence of God,” stated Charles. “The true function of the church is to love God and to draw others to Him, so the way we function as a worship department here is to try to do that—which means we want to do it with excellence and in such a way that it draws attention to the King of Kings and not to us. My one goal each Sunday morning is to open the door so people sense the presence of God enough in that room that it gives them a hunger the rest of the week to experience that in their personal lives.”

In 2009, Charles’ future in music ministry was threatened by surgery, an operation necessary to remove a polyp on his vocal cord. Though it was a difficult season in his life, Charles says he now values the experience highly. “Every once in a while God brings a bend in the road in which we have to refocus, retool and remember,” Charles said. “That was a good time for me to do that. I had to learn that my voice, my family, even my church are not my source of strength. I had to learn what it is to worship God without a song, a note, a voice. It took me to the bare bones of what worship is, which is why today I think I’m so adamant about our congregation recognizing that worship is not just music.”

Charles’ anniversary concert will feature music from his new album Never Forsaken and celebrate his work from the past 20 years. To learn more about his national ministry, visit http://charlesbillingsley.com, and be sure to join us on, this Sunday, August 26th at 6:00 PM!

Rick Burgess, Billingsley, and Bubba

Billingsley on air with WDJC

ABOUT CHARLES BILLINGSLEY
2012 is a career milestone for worship leader and performer Charles Billingsley as he celebrates his 20th year in music ministry and releases Never Forsaken. He kicked off his Never Forsaken tour in February – for more information and the most updated tour dates, visit CharlesBillingsley.com.

When he was 22 years old, the day after his college graduation Billingsley packed up his red two-door Ford Explorer, attached a little trailer behind it and headed to a church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to perform his first professional concert. Now 3,000 concerts later, 17 years of marriage, two children, 25 music projects, and a career spanning two decades, Billingsley has ministered to hundreds of thousands through his gift of song.

In addition to his roles as worship leader at Thomas Road and his involvement in the worship department at Liberty University, Billingsley has also taken on Red Tie Music, a music publishing company, and several small businesses on the side. He still makes time to minister to an average of 100,000 people each year by leading worship at conferences all over the country.

For more information, please contact:
Merge PR
Stacie Vining – Stacie@MergePR.com

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Nashville, Tenn – 6 March 2012 – Never Forsaken, the anticipated brand new project from Charles Billingsley, releases today. To celebrate this very special project, tonight at 7pm EST/6pm CST Billingsley is sharing his first-ever online concert with his fans across the world! Be sure to tune in to CharlesBillingsley.com/live to get your front row seat, where you will hear him perform songs from his new project as well as some past favorites.

So what have the listeners been saying about Never Forsaken? From across the country, people have been writing in to share what the songs of Never Forsaken mean to them:

“This music allows me to live with Christ in my heart every day,
and each day is a little easier thanks to this music.”

“You have such a God-given gift, and I am so blessed by your talent.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Beautiful, uplifting, and encouraging!!!
Thanking you for these inspirational words and music!”

“Perfect blend of originals and covers.
Charles has given us another beautiful display of the love of Christ in our daily lives.”

“He is more than just a song leader or performer, he truly knows how to guide people in worship of God.”

“This is a wonderful CD filled with songs of life, love and the promise that God will never forsake us! This is one the best CDs I’ve purchased in a long time.”

“Thank you Charles for your new project. Love all of your projects but this is the best yet.
I am going to wear it out!”

ABOUT CHARLES BILLINGSLEY
When he was 22 years old, the day after his college graduation Charles Billingsley packed up his red two-door Ford Explorer, attached a little trailer behind it and headed to a church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to perform his first professional concert. Now 3,000 concerts later, 17 years of marriage, two children, 25 music projects, and a career spanning two decades, Billingsley has ministered to hundreds of thousands through his gift of song.

In addition to his roles as worship leader at Thomas Road and his involvement in the worship department at Liberty University, Billingsley has also taken on Red Tie Music, a music publishing company, and several small businesses on the side. Billingsley still makes time to minister to an average of 100,000 people each year by leading worship at conferences all over the country.

2012 is a career milestone for worship leader and performer Charles Billingsley as he celebrates his 20th year in music ministry and releases this new studio project. With eight years since his last solo CD released, he is now more than ready to share some new songs and exciting recreations with this project and tour. Billingsley has already kicked off his Never Forsaken tour, so for more information and the most updated tour dates, visit CharlesBillingsley.com.

Never Forsaken is now available for purchase here at Amazon and iTunes. For a press kit, to book an interview and more, please contact:

Merge PR
Stacie Vining – Stacie@MergePR.com

Never Forsaken Tour Dates:
March 6 – Live streaming concert @ CharlesBillingsley.com/live – TONIGHT!!
March 7 – Aloma Church, Orlando, FL
March 8 – Fruit Cove Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL
March 9 – First Baptist Church, Vadalia, GA
March 18 – Rock Springs Baptist, Milner, GA
March 25 – Murdock Baptist, Port Charlotte, FL
March 28 – Grove Level Baptist Church, Maysville, GA
March 29 – First Baptist Church of Pelham, Pelham, AL
March 30 – April 1 – Women of Joy – Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY
April 12 – Turning Point Rally- Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA
April 13-15 – Women of Joy- State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
April 20-21 – Women of Joy- Sevierville Events Center, Sevierville, TN
April 26 – Turning Point Rally- Berry Center, Houston, TX
April 27 – F.B.C. Canton, Canton, GA
May 2 – House of Prayer, Blairsville, GA
May 3 – F.B.C. North Spartanburg, Spartanburg, SC
May 4-6 – Women of Joy- Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, SC
May 6 – Calvary Baptist, Florence, SC
May 18 – Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY
May 27 – Calvary Baptist, Oshawa, ON

Never Forsaken, a unique collection of songs, ranges from recreations (Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise”) to intimate autobiographical tracks (“Baby I Blinked”) to truth-telling songs such as the title track as well as “God So Loved the World.” And make note, Billingsley is certainly not holding back on delivering an album that contains a variety of music styles: “It’s time to do a record for my generation,” Billingsley says.

Never Forsaken was inspired after a family missions trip to Guatemala, where they joined up with the humanitarian organization Causelife. During their visit, as they journeyed through numerous villages in dire need of fresh water, Billingsley’s inspiration deepened to help build wells across third world countries, while it also grew the inspiration for his new project, especially for its title track.

“The song ‘Never Forsaken’ is for those people in the world who are hungry, lost, afraid, malnourished, thirsty, who cry out every day for something called hope,” he shares. “They won’t hear this album. This record is for the people who will hear it to do something about it.”

Billingsley will be promoting new songs from Never Forsaken, with upcoming appearances in Chicago, Dallas, and other select cities. Stay tuned toCharlesBillingsley.com for more information.

Urbandale, Iowa – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann announced today a list of inspiring and accomplished artists who will perform on the Team Bachmann stage at the 2011 Iowa GOP Straw Poll. Team Bachmann’s entertainment program, and related activities, are being developed to ensure that the day’s events are enjoyable and meaningful for her supporters and their families who make the trip to Ames on August 13. Renowned country music singers Richie McDonald and Tim Rushlow along with Christian artist Charles Billingsley will perform as part of the exciting Team Bachmann straw poll entertainment program.

Richie, Tim, and Charles are all extremely accomplished and inspiring artists and I’m excited to have them perform for our supporters at the straw poll,” Bachmann said. “While Iowa Republicans take great pride in participating in the straw poll, I also recognize the time commitment involved so I want to do all I can to make it a fun and comfortable day for my supporters and their families.”

Richie McDonald has long been one of music’s most accomplished and wide-ranging talents. Recognized as one of country’s best singers, he was the face and voice of Lonestar, ranked among the genre’s preeminent groups. A polished and engaging entertainer, he was the focal point of the group’s storied touring career. As one of the industry’s most successful songwriters, he has penned some of the era’s most memorable songs and earned a mantle full of awards and nominations. Now, with the upcoming release of “Slowdown,” he launches his much-anticipated solo career and demonstrates that he is just now hitting his stride. His was the voice behind songs like “Amazed,” “Smile” and “No News” and the pen behind the song “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Let Them be Little.” He has earned six gold and platinum albums, several CMA and ACM awards as well as BMI awards for songwriting. In writing and singing “I’m Already There,” he was responsible for a song embraced so warmly by the military and their families, it has become an unofficial anthem for US troops serving in the Middle East. (www.RichieMcDonald.com)

Tim Rushlow is an award-winning American country music artist. Between 1991-1997 – Rushlow was co-lead vocalist of the country music band Little Texas, which recorded four albums and a greatest hits package, in addition to charting fifteen singles on the Billboard country singles charts. After Little Texas disbanded in 1997, Rushlow began a solo career. His first recording was the musical track “Totally Committed” with comedian Jeff Foxworthy. Two years later, Rushlow signed to Atlantic Records, recording one album and charting a Top Ten single on the country charts titled “She Misses Him.” When Atlantic closed its country division in 2001, Rushlow formed a six-piece band called Rushlow, which charted two singles and recorded one album for Lyric Street Records in 2003. Tim has also won several ACM and CMA awards and is a three time Grammy nominee.” Tim has just released his first pop single to Christian radio with the full record being released in the fall of 2011. Tim has also done four world tours for the troops and will do another this October with Richie McDonald. Tim will also be hosting a musical reality show on network television in 2012. (www.TimRushlow.com)

Charles Billingsley is an accomplished Christian artist, song writer and worship leader. He spent two years with the award-winning group NewSong, where the album People Get Readyhad four #1 hits including the song “Arise, My Love.” Following his time with NewSong, Charles pursued a solo career. In 2002, he became the worship pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church, as well as the artist-in-residence at Liberty University. In 2005, Charles moved to San Diego, CA to work with Dr. David Jeremiah at Shadow Mountain Community Church, home of Turning Point Ministries. Charles returned to Thomas Road in 2007 and resumed his position of worship leader. He continues to serve on the advisory council of the Center for Worship at Liberty University. He is also the President of Red Tie Music, a new Christian music publishing company. In his career of almost 20 years, Charles has performed 2,800 concerts in more than 2,000 churches all over the world. His newest solo project will release this fall.(www.CharlesBillingsley.com)

For more information on the Team Bachmann straw poll events, please go to Ames.MicheleBachmann.com.

Charles Billingsley, The Liberty University Center for Worship and Thomas Road Baptist Church are joining forces to take the music of Thomas Road and LU to the world…Red Tie Music.

Named after Dr. Jerry Falwell who always wore a red tie, Red Tie Music was established to connect songs created by the students, faculty and staff from LU and TRBC with Christians everywhere.  Already, God of the Ages, Immanuel, Defender and Bless the Lord are translated and being sung not only in churches across America, but in Mexico, Brazil, Korea, Africa, Germany and Russia.  Now you can get these songs to enjoy for yourself with our free monthly download at www.redtiemusic.com. Pass out the downloadable business cards to friends and co-workers so they, too, can be blessed with this great music.

Print music for these songs are available at the website as well as writer interviews, videos, and many other resources and products.  We are growing daily, so check back often!

Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center

February 24, 2011 7:00 PM- Join JA’s Choral Music Department for An Evening with Charles Billingsley and the JA Show Choirs on Thursday, February 24th. A silent auction will be held prior to the performance, and doors will open at 6:00. Ticket prices are $45 center orchestra which includes a meet and greet after the concert, $30 for the right and left orchestra and $20 for back sections. This event is the annual fundraiser for the choral music program and will replace the annual A Little Night Music night. This updated production will offer the JA community a fun night with a moderately priced ticket.

It takes more than a great voice and a good ear for songs to be an effective worship leader. Those are necessary qualities to be sure, but the most important thing is a humble, passionate heart that delights in serving God. It’s that servant spirit combined with his musical gifts that make Charles Billingsley’s new project, “God of the Ages,” such a compelling collection.

Recorded live at Thomas Road Baptist in Lynchburg, VA where Billingsley serves as worship leader for the 24,000 member church, “God of Ages” showcases the artist’s gift for writing songs that speak to today’s generation of worshippers. He shares his songs and his heart throughout the project, enlisting the crowd to surrender to the spirit and praise God with joyous abandon. That sense of intimacy and urgency is palpable in listening to “God of Ages” because Billingsley’s enthusiasm for worship is infectious.

“I have been doing this for 17 years and one thing that I have learned over performing 2700 concerts and leading worship at more than 1900 churches is that nobody really gives a rip what you know on that platform,” Billingsley says with refreshing candor. “What they really want to know is ‘Does he care? Is he real? Does he really believe what he is talking about and singing about?’ I am not the greatest singer in the world and I know I am not the greatest musician, but hopefully what I can deliver is something that is genuine and something that is real. I experienced salvation at six years old. When I was a seventh grader, I felt a real calling on my life and I have never lost that desire to share it.”

Billingsley’s desire to share the gospel is what propels his busy life. A husband and father of two young sons, Charles not only serves as worship leader at Thomas Road, appearing weekly on their nationally televised “Live from Liberty” TV program, he is also the Artist-in-Residence at Liberty University, the largest evangelical university in the world. Billingsley also serves as senior adviser to more than 600 students in Liberty’s Center for Worship. A former lead vocalist of the veteran group, NewSong, Billingsley continues to be much in demand as a solo artist, performing over a 100 concerts a year, including church dates and numerous conferences.

The New Mexico native has known since a young age that he was called to serve God. “In seventh grade, I was at a youth conference in Seattle Washington when the Continentals came to town and I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” he says with a smile. “That same weekend I felt the tug in my heart to be called to ministry.”

Though he thought he would become a pastor, God had another idea. “I was in high school when a friend of mine talked me into singing for a Sunday school class,” Billingsley recalls. “It was more of a dare more than anything, but I just did it. I was more into football and wrestling and that sort of thing, but I just got up there and from the very first note I ever sang it just felt comfortable. It felt natural to me. When I went off to college, I still thought I was going to be a preacher but all my opportunities kept coming to sing and not speak. So when I graduated from college, I thought ‘You know what? I guess I will just sing.’”

Over the course of nearly two decades, God has continually opened doors for Billingsley to use his gifts. He toured as a successful solo artist before joining NewSong for three years during which time he handled lead vocal duties for the group on their Dove Award nominated album “People Get Ready.” Billingsley cherished the experience. “A lot of guys go to seminary to learn, I went into NewSong,” he says. “I learned so much over that three year period and have been using it ever since. They are just great guys.”

He left NewSong in 1996 to resume his solo ministry and Dr. Jerry Falwell invited him to become worship leader at Thomas Road Baptist. His professional resume also includes two years as worship leader at Dr. David Jeremiah’s Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego.

After so many vibrant years in music ministry, Billingsley experienced a soul-shaking challenge in 2008. “I was out in California writing songs for this record with Tommy Walker. I kept trying to sing these demos and I just could not sing them,” Billingsley recalls. “I came back and had several more events and was really struggling to sing. I finally went to the doctor and he said ‘No wonder you’re having a hard time singing, you have a polyp on your left vocal cord.’ So for the first time in my life, I was facing the prospect of not being able to sing and that was just the weirdest feeling ever.”

He traveled to New York for laser surgery, and in the aftermath had to be totally silent for five days. “I could not make a single noise. I could not clear my throat, could not cough or do anything for five days,” he recalls. “It just so happens that a Sunday fell during this five day period. I was carrying around my little board writing on it and I was just going through a really frustrating time wondering when I was going to be able to sing again.”

On that silent Sunday, unable to lead worship, unable to utter a word, Billingsley decided to take a drive in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. “It became the single greatest worship experience of my life,” he says, his voice teeming with emotion. “I was asking questions—‘What am I going to do? What if I never sing again?’ and I rediscovered that morning what it means to worship the Lord and I discovered that I could worship God without a note, without a song, and without a voice. God brought this little bend in the road to my life so I could re-focus and I am so thankful for that time. I would not trade it for anything. It is because of that moment last fall that I specifically chose these songs on this record, especially “When I Don’t Know What To Do.”

The poignant ballad captures that moment of surrender that comes when we realize the only thing left to do is fall into God’s arms. Billingsley’s emotional delivery echoes the soul of a man who has experienced every word he’s singing. It’s that ability to be transparent in his struggles that endears Billingsley to other believers and prompts people everywhere to seek the peace he’s so obviously found in his relationship with the Lord.

The songs on “God of Ages” celebrate the journey of faith and offer exuberant worship. “You’re Worthy of My Praise” is a prime example as Billingsley leads those gathered at Thomas Road in the rousing, joyful song. “This record just has a special anointing on it,” he says, “and I think one of the reasons is that live factor because you just feel what happened in the service that night. You just feel it over your speakers and that is something that I am excited about.”

From a technical standpoint, Billingsley says they hired the best engineer they could find, Craig Burbidge “He is absolutely phenomenal,” Charles says. “He has 38 platinum records to his credit. We hired the best players that we could find. One reason I think you feel like you are there is because literally we fixed a total of twelve notes on the entire record. So that is pretty cool.”

The 16 songs on “God of Ages” cover a lot of musical and emotional territory. “Bless the Day” was inspired by Billingsley’s daily habit of praying before his feet even hit the floor. “You Still Love Me” is a tune he co-wrote with Tommy Walker, inspired by seeing Steven Curtis Chapman handle the death of his daughter Maria in a tragic accident.

Billingsley has learned through his own experiences, and through watching his brothers and sisters in Christ, that sometimes God speaks loudest in the toughest times. He recalls a friend praying with him before his vocal surgery. “He asked ‘If you are never able to sing again are you still going to love the Lord? Are you still going serve the Lord?’” recalls Billingsley. “That just cut me to the core and I started thinking ‘I have used my voice as my source for a long time and I have to get back to answering that question–who is truly my source?’ It’s the Lord. In the silence is where you learn that stuff,. You cannot learn those things up on the platform singing. You have got to go through the valley sometimes.”

He’s been to the valley and he’s had his share of mountaintop experiences, but these days Charles Billingsley feels like he’s right where he’s supposed to be. “I feel like it has taken me 17 years to really figure out who I am and what I am doing,” he confesses. “I think I have finally settled into the fact that I am a worship leader and what I was made to do is lead people in worship. I am just a worship leader who happens to use his voice as the instrument. I am excited because I feel like I am just getting started.”