Crossway Church is proud to present one of America’s most exciting gospel artists, Ivan Parker, at 7 p.m. Friday, July 13.
Parker, who is a veteran in the gospel music industry, has taken the country by storm with numerous appearances on national television and guest appearances on the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming video series.
He has been voted Favorite Male Vocalist 12 times and Favorite Lead Vocalist six times for the Southern Gospel Singing News Fans Awards. He has also been awarded Soloist of the Year 14 times by the Singing News Fan Awards. He has also been a nominee for the prestigious Dove Award.
Parker is known for his versatility in music styles. While attending a concert you will enjoy old-time favorites, his greatest hits and progressive southern to inspirational music. Audiences everywhere are drawn to the music and message that he delivers.
Parker was saved at age 9 in his daddy’s church in Sanford, when an evangelist preached a fiery sermon on the rapture of the church and heaven.
“I remember that night well,” he said. “I was sitting on the back row with all my friends. When the invitation was given, I couldn’t get to the altar fast enough. My mom and dad had always told me that whenever it came to salvation, I couldn’t get to heaven on their experience — I had to have my own.”
This decision that Parker made at age 9 stayed in the forefront of his mind, even though he admits that he made many mistakes along the way.
“But I knew Jesus loved me and had his hand on me. I didn’t know what God had planned for my life; I just knew I wanted to sing.”
Many of Parker’s songs have made the Singing News List. In 2008 he recorded a special song titled “I Choose,” which topped the charts at the No. 1 position. Parker’s signature song is “Midnight Cry.” He remembers the incredible feeling he had the first time he heard the song.
“I just could not get away from the message in the song. It meant a lot to me, because it was the message that tugged at my heart the night I gave my heart to the Lord. This message is repeated in so many songs.”
Years ago, Parker was asked to sing for the Church of God General Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. As he was placing his luggage in the car, he had a muscle spasm in his back.
“The pain was so intense, I thought I was having a heart attack. I could hardly move. My wife asked, ‘Do we need to cancel and take you to the hospital?’ ‘No,’ I said. ‘We’re going to San Antonio. The Lord will help me.’”
When they arrived in San Antonio late that afternoon he was still in much pain. But a group of people started praying and Parker went on to the service. As they introduced him, he was still hurting. But when he took the first step to walk on stage, he didn’t feel any pain.
“When I began singing ‘Midnight Cry,’ the wave of the Holy Spirit started on one side and moved across that arena. The whole time I was singing, I felt no pain. When I came back offstage I felt the pain again, although not as bad as it had been. I think the Lord blessed me because he saw how determined I was to minister and put his Word before the people.”
“Midnight Cry” has been sung by him literally all over the world. Parker recalls singing in Africa and looking over the crowd.
“It was amazing seeing all of these people on the other side of the world singing this song word for word and worshiping God.”
In 2007 this song had gone to the No. 1 position on the radio charts in Europe.
“I was astounded but was reminded that all things are possible through God,” stated Parker.
One of the greatest ministry opportunities to come Parker’s way is being a part of most of the Gaither Homecoming videos and singing in 70 to 80 Gaither concerts a year, which average around 15,000 attendees each, in addition to his own solo schedule. In all, his calendar shows an average of 200 performances a year. One of the highlights of his ministry in 2002 was when he stepped on stage at Carnegie Hall and sang not “On the Wings of A Snow White Dove” but “God Bless the USA.”
Parker and his wife, Teresa, reside in Nashville, Tennessee. They own Parker Music Group, which represents Ivan Parker. They have two sons, Ryan and Josh.
Ryan is a commercial lender and is married to Sandy Hagee, who is an attorney. They are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Olivia and Ellie. They make their home in San Antonio, Texas.
Josh is a graduate of Cumberland University with a degree in music. Joshua is now touring with his dad playing guitar and working as product manager. Josh was saved at age 7 and spent his early years at Cathedral of Praise as part of the Children’s Choir. When asked if he ever sings on stage Josh always replies, “I want people to see my love for God and hear his love in the music. The guitar is my voice.”
The two people who have had the greatest influence on Parker’s life are his mom and dad.
“My mom, Katie Parker, is a real prayer warrior. She has always prayed for God to use her children in the ministry. Reflecting back to my dad’s life, I see a lot of what I’m doing and the way God is using me as a fulfillment of his ministry. My dad was a singer and a musician, but when he was called to preach, he put his music on the backburner. It’s almost like he passed the mantle to me, and I’m fulfilling the musical side of his ministry.”
Some of the great singers who influenced Parker’s career are Bill Gaither, who reintroduced the wonderful old songs of the church and Southern gospel music to the entire world, and the late Jake Hess, who says that Parker is his favorite “crooner.”
Like most Christians, Parker has known some “ups and downs,” but he has lived with his favorite passage of scripture, Psalm 23. “I believe God does his greatest works in us when we are in the valley. It is there that we are more open to what he has in store for us.”
Don’t miss this exciting evening of praise and worship with multi-award winning artist Ivan Parker. It promises to be an evening to remember. Doors will open at 6 p.m. There is no cost to this event however, a love offering will be received to help with Parker’s expenses.
The church is located at 811 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (across from McDonald’s) in Eupora. You may like us on Facebook at Crossway Church or follow us on Twitter @CrosswayEupora or call 662-744-2898 for more information. We look to see you there!
