RICHMOND, Va.—On April 29, Ken Medema brings his musical gifts, his skills at improvisation and his passion for social justice to First Baptist Church of Richmond, Va., for a concert benefitting Ministering to Ministers, a Richmond-based ministry to church staff members who have experienced forced terminations.
Although Medema says he feels more like a comfortable old shoe than a musical icon, his name and his music are familiar to millions of Christians around the world.
Ken Medema
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Born blind in Grand Rapids, Mich., Medema, now 69, began playing the piano at the age of 5 and soon thereafter began composing songs. Medema says he grew up feeling different and somewhat isolated by his blindness, which may explain why he feels such kinship to the poor and oppressed, and why his music challenges the church to confront timely social issues.
Although social justice has been a consistent theme of Medema’s music, he is also working on songs about marriage, aging and corporate disillusionment. Medema, who majored in music therapy at Michigan State University, says he continues to infuse his music with therapy.
Asked how he became acquainted with Ministering to Ministers, he replied that a pastor close to him had been invited to attend an MTM wellness conference and had found such help that word filtered back to Medema. About that same time, Charles Chandler, founder and executive director of MTM, called to asked about the possibility of scheduling a concert.
“A lot of things happened about the same time and suddenly, it all worked out. I am so convinced that what they are doing is a good thing that I’m glad to have a part in supporting them,” Medema affirmed.
Given Medema’s penchant for bringing unique improvisations, humor, musical skill, commitment to Christian values and passion for the church together into a mix of entertainment and inspiration, his concert promises to be fun. Or, as Chandler said, “It will be an evening of entertainment and of the gospel being presented in unique ways. And in addition, it will help make people aware of MTM.”
The concert is scheduled for Sunday, April 29, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond. Tickets may be purchased for $18 at the door or in advance for $15 online at www.MTMMedemaConcert.com. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $12, and may be purchased by calling 800.519.9030.
“I don’t see this as generosity,” Medema said. “My view about such things is if somebody calls me and says, ‘come to my party,’ I will do everything I can to go, especially when it is something as worthwhile as Ministering to Ministers.”
Jim White ([email protected]) is executive editor of the Religious Herald.