I have read that, “There is no one with a bigger heart in the field of Gospel Music than that of Gerald Wolfe” (Bill Gaither)   

   We found that out personally on July 31, 2003 as an elderly lady (89) in our church passed away.

    The song "Eastern Gate" sung by Greater Vision was wanted for her funeral. We contacted Greater Vision, who tried to help us out. God pulled things together and the song was played at her funeral.

    Gerald Wolfe although, unable to help directly, was able to intercede in prayer. We found out what was meant when it was said he had a Big heart. Not a “Softy”, but a heart willing to follow the Lord's leadership.

A letter from Gerald Wolfe

“Thanks so much for writing back and letting me know that everything turned out okay. I had been thinking about your situation all weekend. You're right...it is amazing how God always works things out on His schedule. It doesn't always fit ours, but it's always the right timing.

Once again, I'm very sorry that we couldn't be of better help, but I'm glad you know that we tried.

Thanks so much for all the comments and compliments. We look forward to seeing you when we're in your area. Please be sure to introduce yourself to us. We would be honored to meet you and your husband. You are obviously servants of the Lord and your congregation.

I pray that God would bless your ministry.Thanks again

Gerald Wolfe"

This is how it came to be tha Greater Vision ended up at Northside Baptist Church.   

   I’ll give you just a little of the events that unfolded by God’s Hand. That allowed this day to happen.

   We had already planned on having an “Old Fashion Preaching, Singing, and Dinner on the grounds” Day.

   During the Pastor's conversations with Gerald about the song for the funeral, he found out that they had a cancellation on Sunday the 17th .

The same day as our “Old Fashion Preaching, Singing, and Dinner on the grounds”

   Who better to do the “Singing” than Greater Vision?

      So as the Pastor and Gerald talked and worked out all the details, it was settled, and they were heading to Burnet, TX to be with us on Aug 17th.

When they got here, around 1:00am, Jason came in to talk with us.   He said that less than 5 minutes after they settled to come here, the church that had previously cancelled called, and said that things had been worked out, and they would like to have them (GV) in.   Jason said that they had already prayed about coming here, and felt it was what God would have them do.  So they had to tell the other church that seated 3,200 people no, they already had a commitment.

   That commitment was with us, a church Sanctuary that with standing room maybe would hold 300 people.   They truly did a great job in following God’s leadership, and we are all thankful to God and to them for having the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit.

 What a great day we had On August 17th!

     "Northside’s Old Fashion Family, Preaching, Singing, and Dinner on the Grounds ."  It was one day, very much to be remembered!

     It all started around 12:30 am as Greater Vision’s bus pulled in the church parking lot!  So what’s the big deal about the bus pulling into the parking lot?   Well let me tell you.   It meant that our Big Day was beginning, and there was no doubt that God’s hand had been at work from the very start.

    Getting back from the Super Wal-Mart & Home Depot ( in the next town to us) at around 10:30pm with all the last minute groceries for the meal, and what the men needed from Home Depot, things were still busy at Northside well after Greater Vision arrived.   Which means our children  (Pastors Family)  were there as they always are when there is a chance to work for the Lord our God.   (God has blessed us with children who don’t think twice about doing things at the church.   As my oldest son who is just barley a teen said, as I was thanking him for all the hard “MAN” hours he had put in during the week with out any grumbling or complaining; “ That’s just what we do, we don’t know any different.”)     All the children had worked hard, taking up the slack when us old folks, just got “Plum tuckered out!”

         (Pastor, Hopkins & Family)                         All our children had been working all week around the church to get everything in “Tip Top” condition.    The children, and (the rest of us) were waiting... and waiting for Greater Vision to arrive.  We knew they were going to leave Temple, TX (about an hour and forty five minutes away)  and come straight here to sleep.   At around 11:30 pm they hadn't arrived, so we had decided that if the younger ones were going to be able to stay awake for the Preaching, and the Singing, that would start at 10:00 am and end when the Pastor felt that it was time.     (Which turned out to be around 6:00 pm.)  then they would need to go ahead and go to sleep.   So we set them up some pallets in the Nursery, and waited just a littler longer to lay them down, because they really wanted to see Greater Vision when they arrived.   At midnight we knew we were going to be pushing their limits, so we laid them down to sleep.   Sleep however eluded them.  

        Not much time had passed when one of our young preachers in the church, yelled out:  “ That sure sounds like a bus to me!”   Well it was their bus and when they came in, the two who were suppose to be sleeping, just couldn't contain their joy.   We heard a chorus in the nursery singing out,  “Can we come see?”   Yes, they were allowed  to get up,  and that was a “Big Deal”  to them.

     All of that may not mean a lot to you, but we are a Family Oriented Church, and we like to write about the family and all the things that pertain to every member of the church from very youngest to the “Most Mature”.   Not to mention, when I am writing, I tend to be detailed, and a little long.

  Now believe me, that was just the beginning of a WONDERFUL DAY!

    We had already been blessed with two people being born again that past week, and during the morning service as Greater Vision sang, the Pastor baptized a young man, and a preacher’s wife, (a mother of five children).

    There is nothing, (I know you know it),  but there is nothing that is betterthan seeing someone who in an instant of time, is snatched from the pits of Hell and made a child of the King!   So to Baptize two people after they have been born again by calling out to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ,  and repenting of their sin, was truly the best part of the whole day.   Greater Vision agrees with this also.

      The concert began at A little after 1:00pm Like all good Baptists,  we started a little late.   Greater Vision Sang their hearts out for us.   Starting with one of their new songs that is moving up the charts like a rocket.   The song off the Project “Quartets”  “He Is To Me” Sung with Northside's  favorite Bass, Glen Dustin from Legacy Five.   Of course, Glen wasn’t able to drop in just for one song, so they sang it with out a bass.  The song was written by Rodney Griffin.

     Later a song featuring Jason, “Just Ask” written also by Rodney,  is such an encouraging song.   The words stating things we have all been through or have felt.    Jason also sang “Victory In Jesus” near the end of the concert.   They sang it accupela, and honestly, with out a doubt, I have never heard the song sung more wonderful,  than Jason sang it that day at our church.

                               

While taking up a love offering, Gerald Wolfe granted our request for him to play the piano.   For any of you who don’t know that  Gerald  is a fine pianist.   Well he is!  He played “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” It was beautiful, and just flowed so well with the service.

   

They sang for us several more songs, then songs out of the Red Hymnal, singing the shape notes. 

     Sometimes groups have a particular set of songs they will do and that’s that.   This was not the case with Greater Vision on this day.   They were following the Holy Spirit's Leadership, therfore many songs touched our hearts.   God knew what our folks were going through.  What all of us are in need of.  

     The preaching , singing and testimonies that followed after the “Dinner on the grounds”.    Just proved that what we had experienced this day was a true time of Worship.   True worship is so rare, there usually is to much to do or to much to think about, to much to “get ready".    This day was different, this was a day spent at the feet of Jesus in worship.

     As the service was coming to a close they sang another of th Pastor's  faovite Hymns ,            “Till The Storm Passes By”.   Pastor Hopkins has always had two hymns that he would call his favorites, and without knowing,      Greater Vision sang them both. “Victory In Jesus”  and                      “ Till The Storm Passes By”,    I just can’t tell you enough what a day we had here at Northside.

If you have never heard Greater Vision, or if you haven’t ever had a chance to see them in person, If you get a chance, take it.   You won’t be disappointed.

 

Special Thanks to Gerald, Rodney,and Jason, of Greater Vision.  It was nice to meet you!