A Week of Ministry from the Pulpit to the Prison
Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to share what’s happened in the last few weeks. It’s been a whirlwind of music, worship, sound, and grace. We had the privilege of being in Edinburgh with the Amazing Life Gospel Choir, singing at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This is the largest arts festival in the world, featuring thousands of acts and performances over a season that runs through August. It is a mosaic of theater, dance, visual art, mime, comedy, and music from every corner of the globe. And we’re grateful to add a gospel choir to that vibrant tapestry.
We had the honor of two full-house concerts—Saturday night, August 9, and Sunday night, August 10, at 7:30 PM. Our 50-voice choir was joined by friends from America, including my brother, Victor Bowers, who played the violin with warmth and energy, and Michelle Ronsisvalle and Paul Valo, whose encouragement and presence meant the world to us. Kenneth and I had the joy of singing together as the choir sparkled with enthusiasm, worship, and joy. A fantastic live band—composed of choir members and Edinburgh players—rounded out the night. For 90 minutes each evening, the gospel of Jesus Christ was shared through music and spoken word, and the responses reminded us why art and faith belong together in a festival of culture and humanity.
The weekend grew even richer through the words and blessing of our leaders. On Saturday, Sir Brian Souter spoke on the three R’s—Rules, Role, Redeemer—and on Sunday, Matt Round from Hope City Church spoke with a message about the question, “Isn’t there more?”: faith in Christ that meets everyday life with meaning and hope. Since returning, we’ve been humbled by the flood of testimonies about the impact of gospel music at the Fringe—stories of hearts stirred, questions asked, and doors opened for conversations about faith, hope, and community.
The momentum continued Monday with a pilgrimage to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, staged before Edinburgh Castle. The Tattoo is a 75-year tradition, a visual celebration of military bands and pageantry from around the world. It’s a reminder of discipline, teamwork, craftsmanship, and the power of music to unite people in awe and admiration. We watched bands from the United Kingdom, Poland, the United States, and other nations march with precision, color, and dignity. One of our favorite moments, being Americans in Europe, was witnessing the American guard’s “gun show” precision—a choreography that spoke of respect, heritage, and shared commitment to excellence.
Wednesday brought us to a different kind of stage—the Edinburgh Prison. I have long ministered in jails and prisons, and for many of our choir, this was a first. There was some trepidation, but we arrived ready to sing and to listen. What followed was a night of unexpected grace. The inmates gathered to hear the gospel songs, were enthusiastic and engaged; two prisoners even came forward to sing solos during our set. We closed with a rousing rendition of Elvis’s “Falling in Love,” which carried with it surprising energy and joy. The Governor affirmed that moments like these can profoundly impact morale and offer an oasis of hope in a challenging environment.
After the evening, our team gathered to pray for the men, the staff, and the victims and their families affected by crime. The Bible invites us to “pray for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and we lean into that call as we bear witness in places of confinement, knowing that the gospel speaks even there of forgiveness, transformation, and new life.
As I reflect on all these moments, I’m struck by how the Fringe, like so many arts festivals, becomes a stage for witness beyond words. There are other Christian events and performances there—gospel choirs, marching bands, plays with Christian themes, and art with a faith-filled message. We’re praying for greater unity among these expressions of witness, so that our shared love for Jesus can be seen more clearly in such a major venue. Imagine what could happen if a broad coalition of Christian artists, musicians, dancers, actors, and writers stood together with a single, hopeful message: the transforming love of Christ reaching every corner of this city and beyond.
The festival was also a reminder of the simple, timeless invitation that accompanies gospel witness. One ministry handed out gift bags bearing the gospel message from John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The words of Scripture remain accessible and urgent, and art festivals provide a fertile ground for such invitations to land in the hearts of those who are already drawn to beauty, meaning, and transcendence.
Art, in my view, is not merely decoration but a medium through which truth can be seen, heard, and felt. The Bible itself is a work of art—poetry, songs, narratives, and prophetic visions—that invites us into a larger story. The Psalms invite us to bless the Lord with “psaltery and lyre, with a timbrel and harp” (Psalm 98:5). The apostle Paul urges believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing with wisdom, while singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts (Colossians 3:16). Music, art, and faith are not rivals but partners in the proclamation of God’s goodness.
Many people we met at the Fringe are hungry for true hope—hope that isn’t defined by fear or cynicism. Romans 15:13 speaks directly to this longing: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” In a world saturated with noise, the message of Christian hope stands firm: God loves you, Jesus has defeated death, and the Spirit empowers us to live with purpose, courage, and compassion.
We’re reminded that when the gospel is shared in a contextual, artful way, people are more open to conversation about faith. A festival setting—where attendees come seeking entertainment yet often carry questions about meaning—can become a listening space where the gospel is heard and felt. The core of our hope remains this: Jesus Christ lived among us, died for us, and rose again, conquering sin and offering eternal life to all who believe (John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Beyond performances, the arts have a unique power to build bridges between people who might otherwise stay distant. They illuminate shared human experiences—joy, sorrow, resilience, longing—and point toward a deeper source of hope. Our prayer is for continued opportunities to collaborate with Christian artists, churches, and organizations across the festival circuit so that we can present a united, transformative witness that points to the love of God in Christ.
The responses we’ve received—testimonies of changed hearts, renewed purpose, and a desire to live more kindly toward others—are small, everyday miracles. They remind us why we persevere in ministry through song and story. Moving forward, we carry a clear, hopeful call: honor God with our talents, love our neighbors with intentional kindness, and use every stage—whether a grand Fringe venue or a quiet church gathering—to declare the hope that anchors the soul. Our hope is not vague optimism but a confident expectation rooted in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Because He lives, we live with a future that cannot be shaken.
If you’re reading this and you’re not sure where your own hope comes from, know this: God loves you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap between a holy God and a human heart. If you turn toward Him in faith, you’ll discover a love that surrounds you, a forgiveness that frees you, and a future that endures. The invitation remains open: come, see, and listen to the story of a God who so loved the world that He gave His Son for you.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support. We look forward to sharing more stories, more music, and more moments of grace as we travel, perform, and witness together. And may the journey itself be a testament to the enduring power of hope in Christ.
