When God Dips His Love

When God Dips His Love is an amazing hymn that features the solo prowess of Caitlyn Gardner along with the soulful accompaniment of the “harmonizing-ly” wonderful University Singers. The Singers performed this on a number of bases we visited, always to a very receptive audience.

Small Person, Big Voice 

A small person with a big voice! Caitlyn Gardner is truly a gifted person with an amazing voice. The only way she can best describe how blessed she is her gifts are for the Lord. On the inside, she says she is just singing. On the outside, it can fill the room with wonder and great vocal runs.

How did this amazing singer become inspired to join the University Singers? She explained that her impression of the singers alone was enough.

“I fell in love with the team when they came to my church”. When she was a little girl”.

She is currently a rising junior from Kannapolis, North Carolina. She is majoring in Human Services and plans to make music her minor. Caitlyn has a gentle heart for people, is kind and most of all gregarious! Ideally, she would like to find a job in Human Services but wants to continue to sing. If she could guarantee a successful career in music, she would travel the country singing Jazz or Gospel.

Caitlyn Gardner has this soulful centered voice that can accompany any good jazz music. Considering Jazz, she is also a part of the Jazz Band at Southern Wesleyan University. Her vocal range is incredible! One song that stands out from all the rest is, ” When God Dips His Love” as Caitlyn performs a dynamic solo with powerful backup vocals. When all the singers come together, it fills the room! She explains,

“When I sing, that is my worship. There is something so deep in me that it’s as close as I can get to the Lord. “

Examining Talent,
Levi Roach

So Many Events, So Little Time

The OFC Team completed another day of their mission and Christ was glorified. The Singers started the day with prayer and breakfast and departed for Landstuhl Army Base. On the way, they filled the bus with singing as they prepared for their first chapel service.

At the Landstuhl Chapel, they performed many songs. One song in particular that resonated with the crowd was a great a cappella rendition of “When God Dips His Love”. People stood in testimony with raised hands for this amazing song.

Afterwards, the Singers enjoyed Italian cuisine along with Bruno’s special schnitzel and fellowship with the troops at Bruno’s restaurant on the base. They really bonded with the church congregation. To show their appreciation, It is customary for the Singers to sing a song of thanks to the Chef and Staff. This song is always a crowd pleaser as the tune is Michael Jackson’s” Man In The Mirror”, and the lyrics are original to the University Singers. Shortly after, Chaplin Sherman Baker escorted the Singers to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center where they sang to military patients. One soldier, April cried in response to joyful songs. God was working His way with all in attendance.

From there, the Singers departed for their second destination to Spangdahlem Air Force Base. There, the Singers had a great connection with Airmen and families from this younger congregation. There was a great turn out for University Singers sang who more contemporary worship songs and delivered a few patriotic songs. One touching moment was when Reverend Bob Kerstetter prayed with Airman named Nate who was moved by Cpl. Chris Peck’s testimony. According to Reverend Bob, “It was such a privilege and honor to talk and pray with Nate about his relatively new walk with the Lord.” After the concert, the OFC team was treated to food, fellowship and free bowling with the troops. Overall, it was a phenomenal start of the OFC tour.

Reporting God’s work
Levi Roach

First Feeder Being Fed

LeviKaty01Day1SWU
Photo By: Zack Adams

A simple idea that turns into God’s mission, Operation Freedom’s Cadence has officially taken off! We all arrived at SWU on the first day with mixed emotions but one thing was certain, God was already preparing everything for us. From the moment of the idea, God was preparing everything. Dr. Todd Voss, President of Southern Wesleyan University, gave an amazing closing prayer and then we departed for Atlanta. During this moment, I felt a sense that everything was going to be okay. Mission trips are such a rewarding experience but leaving family is never an easy thing to do. We must remember that God gives us more than we can handle to rely more on him as we should. We all boarded the plane that would take us over there with that unshakable faith.

Photo By: Levi Roach
Photo By: Levi Roach

While on the plane, we made humor and laughed as this was a journey that was full of happiness and faith. We are going across the great pond to stir something in someone and allow God to make his presence known to them. God is always working on us and working through us to minister. Reverend Gail Kerstetter has shown unmeasurable faith in this mission trip throughout the process. Gail’s vision with the University Singers to minister to the soldiers is truly God’s work.

Once we landed, we made our connection to Germany. We ended our day safely with devotion and glory. The most influential portion of this trip so far was when we finally sat down in our first hotel and had our devotional time. Since this is my first mission trip, the devotional time meant so much to the team and most importantly to me. Even the feeders need to be fed.

Finally Here,
Levi Roach