Southern Gospel NOW
Episode 167
[music] This is episode 167 of Southern Gospel Now, I'm Brad Goodman reporting. Celebration of Life Services were held for Jason and Kelly Nealon Clark and Nathan and Amber Nealon-Kissler on August 6th at Rubeville Road Baptist Church in Rubeville, Georgia. Pastor Billy Wood said that the event was a celebration of Jesus. We have to celebrate the life of Jesus today because apart from celebrating Jesus, we don't have a life of Kelly or Jason or Nathan or Amber to be able to celebrate. We would stand here today as no hope. We would stand here today with no, no, no mission to be able to tell people that, hey, we can see them again. It would be all lost. It would be all heartache and while it is lost and while it is heartache, I don't speak to you today by somebody who is wondering where they're at, wondering whether I'll see them again, wondering if they're okay. They're okay friends and they've been okay. Karen Pat Gooch has been very close with the family and talked about their history. Forty-three years ago, I had the privilege of joining my favorite group, The Nealon's. They were the epitome of class. I didn't realize when I came with them. I was with them for almost ten years and I always said, Todd, I don't think y'all ever thought I was ever going to leave. But I didn't realize, forty-three years ago, that I had also adopted a second family. And we kept in touch over half of my life. Todd and I sang together a year before prior in 1980 with Alice Lefebvre. And so they are family. And Kelly, we've had forty-three years of sisterhood and we were with each other through the ups and the downs. And boy, there were a lot, there were a lot of ups, but there were a lot of downs. And I saw Kelly persevere through a lot of hard times. I saw it personally. Todd Nealon and Kelly's brother shared this poignant story. I'm going to tell you my days before this happened. I talked to Jason, Amber, and Kelly every single day. Each one of them was a good hour. It would start off with Jason as he was living his best life on the farm with his coffee out on the front porch and whatever had happened at that moment in their lives. I seemed to be the central figure that everyone I wanted to tell. And Jason would go through and we'd talk, we'd talk for us and we'd talk about all whatever it was that just happened. Now, granted, I was supposed to be working. Give him off the phone a couple hours later, Amber would call. Same subject, different point of view. (Laughter) And that would be an hour. And I would listen a little bit later in the day. Kelly would call. Same subject. A third point of view. And the last thing I'll tell you, the last thing she would always say every time to me, because she would literally talk until I would say, "Kelly, I'm walking in the house now. My whole day is gone." And she would say, "Well, I talked to you home." Well, Kelly, I have talked to you home. Thank you. (Music) Even though my heart is breaking and tears flood my eyes, I do believe that God gives us something that's worth trusting, and that is him and him alone. In a matter of three minutes, my entire life changed. My precious family, my friends, my livelihood, gone with no warning. Our sweet baby boy coming in December will never know his family on this side of heaven, and I have so many questions, so a few answers. I ask myself, "Am I going to trust God that he is a plan for my life? Or am I going to blame him for taking my family away from me?" Every day, I've asked God why this happened. Then I'm reminded that he told us, "In this world, we would have trouble." So I changed my why into, "Then what now, God, how do you get the glory in the midst of this tragedy? My choice is to trust him fully." I know that he's in control and can see what we don't, but I should love it if he just let me in on it. But for now, I'll look forward to the promise of heaven. A place of joy, beauty, peace, and happiness that will never end. Where there's no sin, no sorrow, or pain, no disagreements or disappointments. We will all know perfect joy, and my family is experiencing all of that right now. So until I make it there, I'll keep going. God has entrusted me with a legacy to carry on, and I will seek his will and guidance. I promised my family as the lyrics to the last song my mom ever recorded. On our unreleased albums say, "I'll always have a song to sing." Heavenly Father, please bless my loved ones today. Thank you for those who have loved and supported us through this tragedy. Bless those who will keep walking with us down this unknown, difficult path ahead. I trust you Lord, and I'm thankful that you are with us all. Amen. One of the most powerful moments in the service was when Autumn joined the Isaacs on the song, "Family Chain." The broken leaves were joined together, reuniting one. [applause] And the chain has now been broken. Please continue to pray for Autumn Neeland's treatment, her husband Jamie, as well as the Neeland, Kisler Hodges, and Haney families. Two southern gospel families are celebrating a new arrival, those being the wolves and the craymers. This has been in Maria Wolf, and we are so excited to announce the birth of our newborn baby, Joanna. Joanna is seven pounds, five ounces, 20 inches long, and we're both doing really well by the grace of God. We're just so thankful for this precious miracle, this bright spot in our lives. She's such a blessing, and we thank you for all of your prayers and support. We are so happy for Ben and Maria. The craymers had recently adjusted their travel schedule, in part, to allow some time at home for Maria, Joanna, and the rest of the family. A concert held recently in Gainesville, Georgia, featured Brian-free in assurance, the guardians, and the business. It was for the kids, which has been presented by Stanley Pierce for 26 years. The event was a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and over $30,000 was raised. Congratulations to all involved. Jonathan Wilburn recently received quite an honor. August the 3rd was a special night for me. The Tri-State Gospel Music Association nominated and voted to induct me into the Tri-State Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I had to be in Spruce Pine for a concert, but I called on my dear friend David Hayes, has promoted and supported Gospel music for many, many years. What an honor it is for me to have that man, who accept my induction into the Hall of Fame, and I also want to thank the Tri-State Gospel Music Association for bestowing this great honor up on me. Also inducted into the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Carol Woodert of the McCamys. Here are the top southern Gospel songs of the week from the Power Fifty Chart. Number 5. Middle of nowhere. Southbound. You need you in the middle of nowhere. Number 4. God is listening, trying up on quartet. That's all so keep on praying. God is listening. Number 3. Forgiven. Now I'm forgiven by the power of his love. Number 2. He sent him for me, the inspirations. He sent him for me. Number 1. He pilots my ship, tribute quartet. For Jesus' time is my ship. That's our report. You can check out other episodes of Southern Gospel Now, wherever you find podcasts, or at southerngospelnow.com. I'm Greg Goodman, reminding you to love your neighbor. I'll see you soon. [music] You