BGM Haiti Relief Concert

On Thursday night, before the snow fell here in the middle Tennessee area, Brent Gambrell Ministries put together a benefit concert to raise funds to help with the continuing relief it is providing to the country of Haiti.

The People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee was kind enough to allow us to use their facility to host the concert. Gloria Green, of Gloria Green Entertainment (and who also serves on the BGM Board of Directors) put together quite an impressive line up.

I need to be studying right now. So, these pictures are really in no order, whatsoever.

Which is closely resembling my study pattern right now.

Here is Brent, speaking to the congregation.



JoDee Messina did a fabulous job.

Zach Johnson and his wife, Kim spoke for a few minutes. They are such a nice couple and they have supported BGM for a number of years. They were instrumental in helping get Brent and Mike into Haiti the day after the earthquake hit.

Ben Tankard was such a wonderfully nice man. He plays piano beautifully. This is a young artist he is helping to promote and she had just a beautiful voice.

Ben was, at one point, a professional basketball player. An injury cut his career short. However, the Lord is certainly using his talent in new ways.

Mike Wilson came out with his new daughter, Tia. She just turned five years old.. and she is quite a handful!!

Then Missy joined him onstage with their second daughter, Naika, who is seven years old. She and Tia were best friends at the orphanage in Haiti. Now, they will be sisters.

Here is the entire Wilson Family. They have three biological children: Dyllan, Lane and Eli, and two adopted daughters: Naika and Tia (just here from Haiti).

Here are Tia and Naika back stage with Uncle Chad. Naika is spelling her name and doing a very good job!

Brandon Heath (sporting a full beard) performed.

As did Southern Gospel artists, Legacy Five (but the piano player wasn't there... so it was just four of them)

Jared Anderson dedicated one of his songs to Katie Erie, who was in Haiti and interning at the orphanage where Tia and Naika lived.

Rick Loy, who was the host for the concert, interviewed Katie about the earthquake and the hours immediately following it.

Jaci Velasquez and her husband performed a couple of numbers.

Melissa Greene sang so beautifully. She really led out in worship. Aaron Loy and the 1101 Band played for her and it was a wonderful combination.

Aaron Loy and the 1101 Band began the night.

Brent was interviewed by local media (NewsChannel5) prior to the concert beginning.

In the Green Room with Mike Wilson, JoDee Messina and Brent Gambrell

Talking with Jaci and Steve Forrest (bass player extraordinaire)

He's my best friend.

I really am not sure that ANYONE was more excited than Steven Boo that Zach Johnson made an appearance at the concert.


Andrea Rial, Pam Case and Whitney King at the merchandise table.

At the beginning of the evening, we got a shot of the BGM staff with Zach and Kim Johnson.

Haiti Update: Mike and Tia's homecoming

So... after we learned that Mike and Tia were able to get seats on a private plane that was headed back to the states from Port Au Prince, there was much rejoicing in Hooville... and media contacts to make... and the realization that just because Mike and Tia were back on US soil, did not mean our relief efforts for Haiti would end.

They were just beginning.

We all went home and got a couple of quick hours of sleep in before waking up at about 4:00 a.m. to meet Mike, Brent and Tia at the airport. (Brent flew down in a private plane from Nashville that would pick up Mike and Tia and return with them... the plane was donated. God blesses the weary!) The local media was there in force as well as some 75 people or so.

Boy... is it dark at 4:30 a.m.!!!

Who are all these people?! They are the same crazies who would get up at the crack of dawn to show Mike and Missy some love! And to meet Tia.

Some of the local media interviewed Missy prior to the plane landing. I cannot imagine how early this people got up in order to be so put together at this time of morning. It makes my head hurt to think about it.

And then, they set up outside to be ready for when the plane landed

We pre-determined that only family members would meet the plane on the tarmac. The rest of the friends and family would stay inside the building. I wish I could have gotten closer... but no luck. Then I wished I had a zoom lens. That is next on my list of things to purchase.

After hugs with family on the tarmac... the Wilson family brought Tia inside where it was warm. (She's not quite prepared for 40 degree weather!)

Probably a little overwhelming to meet the brothers amongst the throng of well wishers. To our credit... we refrained from screaming and clapping. We let her enter the room in a hushed expectation.

She enjoyed her peppermint candy...

Brent talked with the media for a moment before praying over the Wilson family

Then we made it back outside to get Tia secured in her new carseat (a first for her) and Mike answered just a few questions from the media. After that, the crowd disbursed and the Wilson family spent the day reunited and getting to know each other.

Will continue to post and keep you updated. Go here to help:

www.brentgambrell.com