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Guest Opinion/Commentary*

Monday, February 2, 2009

He’d Rather Have Jesus:  A Century of Faith with George Beverly Shea
  Religion piece by Guest: Kendall Wingrove

Almost anyone who attended a Billy Graham crusade or watched one on television would immediately recognize the familiar sound.  In the moments just before Dr. Graham’s message, a deep, rich voice would fill the arena or stadium as a kind-looking fellow stepped to the microphone and began singing a hymn.

Hundreds of millions of people heard him over the decades and now this beloved individual has observed his 100th birthday.

George Beverly “Bev” Shea’s century mark is wonderful occasion to celebrate the life of a talented man who is affectionately known as “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer.”

Born in Ontario, Canada on Feb. 1, 1909, Shea was the son of a Wesleyan Church minister and his wife.  The family eventually moved to New York.  As a young adult, Shea lived at home with his parents and studied voice while working at Mutual Life Insurance, traveling by subway and the Hudson River ferry every day.  At the tender age of 23, he set Rhea Miller’s poem “I’d Rather Have Jesus” to music.  Miller’s words would prophetically summarize the essence of Shea’s long and fruitful career:

“I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I’d rather be true to His holy name...”

His biographer, Dr. Paul Davis, captures Shea’s appeal: “Big in talent and personality, he was a commanding gentleman, but in show business terms, he was too low on ego and too high in integrity. Yet amazingly, he arose from an inconspicuous office worker in an insignificant insurance office to become the world’s most prominent gospel singer. This phenomenal change of career direction was nothing less than ‘a divine call.’”

The amazing process chronicled by Davis was a slow but steady one.  Shea worked in commercial radio and while living in Chicago, he started performing on religious broadcasts.  His association with Billy Graham began in the early 1940s, while Graham was pastor of a church in Illinois and Shea was an announcer at WMBI, the Moody Bible Institute radio station.

The young preacher admired Shea’s voice and wanted him to come along as he toured.  It was a partnership that lasted six decades and took both men across the globe.

“Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism,” recalled Graham.  “I would feel lost getting up to preach if Bev were not there to prepare the way through an appropriate song.”

Since their first Crusade in 1947, Shea has traveled with Graham to Korea, New Zealand, Brazil and Germany and many points in between.  As he crisscrossed the continents with Graham, he also sang on the weekly Hour of Decision radio broadcast.  Through radio and personal appearances, Shea’s voice is recognized in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America.

These many journeys made Shea the embodiment of Psalm 66:1-2 which says: “Shout with joy to God, all the earth.  Sing the glory of His name, make His praise glorious.”

And Shea received praise for his efforts.  He has recorded more than 70 albums of religious music and even won a Grammy for “Best Inspirational Performance.”

But his greatest award has been remaining true to the Gospel he’s loved for so long.  Because he sought the path God had prepared instead of racing after money and fame, Shea touched generations with his abilities and sincerity.

“I knew that following Him was more important than having ‘men’s applause’ or ‘worldwide fame,’” Shea said.

After a century of devotion, we’d all like to say “well done” to this good and faithful servant.  Your humility and loyalty have proven how great thou art, George Beverly Shea.

Kendall Wingrove

Posted by Guest: Kendall Wingrove on 2/2/09 at 09:02 AM
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