New Around the Mission

Nashville Singer Songwriters Visit Church of the Holy Spirit

January 13, 2011

Church of the Holy Spirit in Roanoke, Virginia, started the New Year with a performance by Nashville-based singer-songwriters Drew and Ellie Holcomb on Sunday, Jan. 9.

Ellie and Drew Holcomb

“We’ve had a lot of talented musicians come, but there’s something really sweet about these two,” says Quigg Lawrence, Rector and Senior pastor.

Despite snow on the back roads and freezing temperatures in the mountains, 850 people turned out to hear Drew and Ellie at the 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. services, surpassing average church attendance by 120. The second service was standing room only.

Word had spread about the duo after the church youth group met Drew and Ellie at Young Life camp. “The kids came back saying they’d heard the most amazing people playing music,” Lawrence says.

This time, traveling without their full band, Drew and Ellie chose an intimate set of hymns and original songs to play for the congregation. Their folk, country and soft rock melodies held worshipers captive before the services and during the offering, altar call, communion and recessional.

It was the combination of rich theological lyrics, powerful harmonies and a gentle demeanor that really impressed his congregants, Lawrence says. Many people stayed afterward to chat with the musicians.

“I had a lot of people e-mail me out of the blue and say they were really authentic, not showy,” Lawrence says. “Drew and Ellie just exude Christ.”

After forging a strong bond, Lawrence hopes that Drew and Ellie will return to minister to his church for years to come.

“We just want to bless them,” he says.

Learn more about Church of the Holy Spirit.

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors will release a new record, Chasing Someday, on February 8. Available on Drew's website.

Listen to Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors on YouTube.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Local Events