Grammy-winning recording artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith appeared together on campus Monday, inspiring students with words and songs during a Chapel service held in the Massey Performing Arts Center.
This Chapel service was co-sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Development and the College of Visual & Performing Arts, and together Grant and Smith displayed how music can be used to convey hope and encourage faith in individual lives. The long-time friends shared stories and performed several songs throughout the morning, offering deeper insights on each song’s meaning. Prior to performing “Our Time Is Now,” Grant noted, “We just have the moment we’re in, and no matter what you did yesterday, whether it was good or bad, that was yesterday, and today is a new day.”
Smith, who is currently working on a new album that’s scheduled to release next year, said, “I think we need a love revolution. It’s time to cross the great divide.”
At one point after a duet, Grant spoke directly to Smith, saying it is “great to be inspired by your joy,” calling attention to his “mischievous love of life and God.”
Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums, won six GRAMMY® Awards, 25 Dove Awards, and had 17 Top 40 songs and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Every summer she hosts Barefoot Republic, a multi-racial Christian camp, at her farm. Michael W. Smith has earned three GRAMMY® Awards, 44 Dove Awards, 16 Gold, seven Platinum and two double-Platinum albums. He is the founder of Rocketown, a ministry in Nashville serving 800 teens each week.
Belmont holds Chapel services every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the academic year and frequently feature special guests to speak to the campus community. Upcoming guests include an Aug. 30 visit from Ricky Skaggs and Gordon Kennedy, Josh Turner on Sept. 6, Bethel World Outreach Senior Pastor James Lowe on Sept. 8, VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki on Sept. 13 and Restore International CEO and “Love Does” author Bob Goff on Sept. 15. Visit the Spiritual Development website for more information on Fall 2017 Chapel guest speakers.
