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Friday, April 17, was the night of Mark Schultz' concert. As I sat in the large auditorium of Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, I noticed the large, laughing crowds, all anxious for 7:30 - the time the concert would begin. Senior Pastor Craig Coulter led the church in prayer before introducing Chris and Emilee Danielson and Randy Carlson from Family Life Radio. Tissues were provided under the seats since Mr. Schultz has a reputation for very sad and touching songs.

Shortly thereafter, Mark Schultz was brought out. When he came out, the entire crowd gave him a standing ovation while whistles and cheers filled the air.  Mr. Schultz played solo on his keyboard for most of the songs, and for others he had prerecorded music. His first song was He was Walking Her Home. Although I had already heard this song many times before, it touched me greatly. Sitting directly in front of me was an elderly couple and I saw the gentleman wipe his eyes on multiple occasions. Mr. Schultz continued with a song which had the entire audience on its feet clapping along. As the concert progressed, he had the audience laughing uproariously one moment and sobbing the next.

Afterwards, with the family and some friends, I interviewed Mr. Schultz. It was during his senior year that he realized that he enjoyed composing music and lyrics. In fact, he plays by ear. He said that he gets most of his inspiration for his songs from real-life situations - especially his experience as a youth director. He hopes that the youth who listen to his songs know that God sees them as special.

His favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12:14, which states, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." His song Cloud of Witnesses is based on this verse.

In his spare time, he enjoys riding his bike, writing songs, and throwing a football around with his wife. Mr. Schultz has ridden his bike across seventeen states in three months; that is quite a feat. He rode his bike to help raise money for widows and orphans.

Mr. Schultz was adopted when he was two weeks old. He likes to say that those were the two busiest weeks of his life (with all the paperwork). Being adopted has greatly influenced his life; he is alive and does not take life for granted. He wrote a touching song about adoption entitled Everything to Me.

This is the first time I have seen Mark Schultz in concert and I enjoyed myself immensely. I hope to see him again if he returns to Tucson.

 

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