Guy Penrod Shares His Faith Through Music

LOMA LINDA>> Guy Penrod, a touring gospel music singer, performed a high-energy and love-filled performance at Loma Linda University Church Aug. 20. The performance began at 7:30 p.m. and lasted a full three hours with a 10-minute intermission in which people were able to stretch their legs or go purchase merchandise. The church was almost completely filled by the time the concert had reached its peak. People continued to trickle in throughout the entire performance; some drawn in by the signs announcing the concert outside around Loma Linda University Hospital while others had been waiting years for a concert and worship service given by Penrod himself. Born in Taylor, Texas and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Penrod called himself a “Pew Baby”. His father was the pastor of his church, Temple Baptist Church, and Penrod spoke on how he grew up watching the musicians that performed the gospel music. He began to sing as a studio singer in the 1980’s before becoming lead singer for the Gaither Vocal Band in 1994. Many of the audience members at the concert said they had listened to Penrod for years and were excited to share the night of worship with him. Joann, one of the many attendees of the night, come all the way from Long Beach to attend the show. She said she had been listening to Penrod for 20 years, since he sang with Bill Gaither, another Christian Gospel singer and songwriter. “This is the first one (concert) I’ve heard since he’s been on his own, but this is the first time since he’s been in California,” Joann said. Penrod was sociable with the crowd, taking time between each song to preach God’s word and to interact with people. At one point, he began to talk about long life and marriage as pictures of he and his wife, Angie, were projected on the large screens. He performed a love song that he not only addressed to her, but to any other sweethearts that were together in the building. “She’s from up north, and I went up there and rescued her,” Penrod joked, earning a buzz of laughter from the crowd. The two have been married 31 years this year and have eight children. With a slideshow of pictures, Penrod began talking about his family and how fast they are growing up and sang one of his songs that focuses on the topic, titled "Breathe Deep." He also took the time to address some of the audience members specifically, taking a moment to congratulate a man for 73 years of marriage and another man for being the oldest audience member in the crowd at the age of 105 years old. Penrod made sure to express how much music can make a difference in one’s life, but stressed that the love you express through music, at church and outside of your home should not extend past the amount you do have and show at home. The last topic he preached was on sharing faith. “If you don’t say anything, they’re never going to come to Christ,” Pendrod said. “Be bold with your faith and share it.” Penrod has many more scheduled performances for his tour across the U.S. which will continue late into August of 2017.