May 27, 2008
Dearly Beloved,
The past few weeks have been so busy.  Since we last talked, we are still praising the Lord for the great service in Monroe, NC but we've got to keep in mind that God has a brighter future.  We've had the privilege in Six Mile.  This is a community event where we were invited to stand on the street and share the love of Jesus in Song.  What an honor and A LOT of fun!   During that same weekend, we were invited back to Northside Baptist in Toccoa, GA.  and to Cannon Memorial Baptist in Central, SC.  We felt like the entire day was one giant family reunion.  Speaking of reunions, we were at Fairview Baptist this past Sunday!

After much anticipation, the first ever Scripture Run was a great success.  We can never thank our sponsors and lots of friends who worked diligently to make this day magnificent in every way. Our trip wound its way around the mountains of Highway 11.  There is some beautiful scenery up there!  The weather was perfect!  Make sure you check out our pictures.    

Hope to see you soon!
Phillip

May 4, 2008
Wow what a couple of weeks we have had. We left on the morning of April 17th headed for our mission trip in Lynch, KY with Six Mile Baptist. We enjoyed our time there working on the youth camp that Meridizo Ministries is building. We also enjoyed having the concert for the community. It was great to have some new friends from VA there. After parting ways from the mission teams we then journeyed to Rawls WV. We went to have a great service with Pastor Dan Scott. We really enjoy the folks that we meet when we travel. While with Bro. Dan we discovered some things that our bus can and can't do. With some of those tight turns we wish that the bus would bend in the middle. It was a wonderful trip. We arrived back home on Sunday evening April, 20 for a 2 day turn around with our families and loaded up again. This time we were leaving on Wednesday morning April, 23 heading for the coast of South Carolina. We were headed to Singing in the Sun at Myrtle Beach. If you have never made plans to go you should. Abraham Productions does a great job with this event. A wonderful time is the best way to describe the night we just had in NC. We were able to spend some time with friends that we have made over the past 2 years at Myrtle Beach. The people at Hillcrest Baptist in Monroe, NC are just wonderful. The food that we had been hearing about for 2 years was great, but the spirit of God in the worship service was just awesome. It was a spirit filled night that all of us needed. It is great when Christian brothers and sisters can come together and just worship. Wow! Keep a check on our website for some future changes. We are excited about what God has done and what He is going to do in the future. God Bless,
Stephen
April 21, 2008,
Greetings! Just wanted to take a second to give you a quick update on our recent trip to Kentucky and West Virginia for a missions trip. There was a lot of work to be done while they were there.  The guys worked to finish and frame several cabins for the youth camp near Lynch.   They had a great time while they were there.  Stephen even took some of his plumbing crew along to help with some plumbing needs with the cabins.  We hear that Little John and Drew worked quite hard loading and unloading the bus for the 2 services that were held while they were there.

We would like to thank all of the new friends that we made through this extended weekend journey.  We are so thankful also to Paul Wooten who was asked at the very last moment to fill in for us in Cory's absence and then jumped in the car with Joe and made the trip.  The devil had tried VERY hard to stop the efforts of this concert all the way around.  But HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL!  We praise God that he continues to use the ministry of Total Praise Quartet!

If you are going to be at Singing in the Sun, make plans to stop by booths 51-52 to say hello to us!  We are scheduled to sing on Thursday afternoon, 4:30 or after.  We will not know the exact time until the drawing Thursday afternoon. 

Thanks in advance for praying for the members of Total Praise.  Keep the events on our calendar page in your prayers as well so that might reach those who are lost!

March 30, 2008
Tonight was a very fun night at Neal's Creek Baptist in Anderson.  What a beautiful church that is!  We had a great service and really enjoyed getting to know the people there a little better.  Thanks for having us! We look forward to being with you again in the future.

As promised... Tickets are now on sale for the 10th anniversary concert of the Total Praise Quartet.  Just click on the scrolling marquee at the top of the screen to be taken to an informational page on ways to purchase your tickets.  10 years means $10 tickets.  Please make plans to attend! 

Don't forget to check our schedule page often for a lot of fun dates in the very near future!  Until then, Keep Walking.... 

March 25, 2008
We made our annual trip to the Lakewood Campground in Myrtle Beach this past weekend.  We always have such a wonderful time when we are there.  It is very interesting to meet new friends from all around the United States.  The breeze was a little cold, but the heaters helped to make it a lot more comfortable.  Thanks for everything Lakewood!

Betsy would like to think everyone for all the cards, emails, and especially the many prayers over the past few days.  Phillip is doing a wonderful job around the house with all the cooking and cleaning. 

We have several fun events coming up over the next few weeks.  Check out our calendar often as dates are being added daily.

March 11, 2008
It's been a few days since the guys gave me something to post here, so I guess that means that I have the freedom to write a little. : ) The group had a wonderful time worshipping with the fine folks at Poplar Springs in Moore, SC a few Sundays ago.  Thanks for your willingness to allow us to share with you through music. 

Make sure you check our calendar often.  We have added a lot of events. 

We are going to try something new this year!  A Motorcycle/Automobile Scripture Run will take place on May 24th.  We know that the final stop will be at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Easley/Anderson, SC.  We will celebrate the success of this event with a Total Praise Concert that night!  Look for registration forms online in the next few days and please start spreading the word about this fun event! 

February 22, 2008
Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who has been praying for me over the past few months.  I got a great report yesterday that so far all the test have come back negative for MS.  We are rejoicing in the Lord! I am so touched by those of you who've contacted me saying that they've been praying!  GOD IS SO GOOD! Betsy

February 17, 2008-  

Hey Folks!  This past weekend brought us a lot of fun and excitement. We started out with a bit of a scare on Saturday evening with  Stephen making a quick trip to the hospital  with his little girl who had  fallen and possibly had broken fingers.  She did not have a broken bone or a need for any stitches.  Prayers answered!  This made for an exciting start to our night in Belton, SC at the benefit concert for the Haven of Rest.  It is always a joy to have the opportunity to sing with Blurred Vision... I mean Greater Vision (LOL!).  (Rodney Griffin refers to our group as the boys from Total Waste.)  Seriously though, it was a great time of fellowship with these guys.  However,  to see the  faces of all of our many friends in the audience really made this night a success. We thank you for your support!

Sunday evening we found ourselves in McDonough, GA at the Ole Country Church with Brother Neil Anderson.  We’ve been anticipating the visit with Brother Anderson since the National Quartet Convention.  I was so excited about the whole event, that I paid no attention to the 6 tornados warnings that were issued for the area. Even though the weather may have dampened the attendance, the folks that were there were a blessing to worship with.  They were a joy to worship with. The Bible says that where two or more are gathered in His name that He will be there also and this was very evident with the spirit of worship.  

A friend of ours, David, traveled with us for this trip.  Thanks for the great meal! 

Even though this past weekend was great, we ask that you help us pray for God’s direction for this coming weekend.  We look forward to being with the people at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Moore, SC.  We  pray that God will give us the words and songs that we need for this service. 

Just remember, if we see you at one of our concerts.... WE WON’T TELL YOUR PREACHER! (LOL!)

We love you!   Phillip

February 8, 2008-

WOW, what a time we have been having being able to share God's word with so many folks. Just a few weeks ago on January 27th we were in Honea Path with Pastor Kile Antone and Brother Joe to start off a weeklong meeting @ Southside Baptist and I know that the Lord really had his mighty hand on that Sunday morning service. Its just great to be in a place where the pastor and his church are still a beacon of hope for a lost and dying world. We appreciate all the prayers and support from Southside and we love you all. Later that evening we had the honor of worshiping with Pastor Larry Wilson and the folks at Calvary Baptist in Liberty.  Now this being my first visit to Calvary Baptist might I say Thank You for the warmth and hospitality. It sure was great seeing some old friends and making new ones also. I think God has blessed this church and has great plans for its community service to spread God's word to the lost and to uplift other Christians.  Also this past Sunday February 3rd, we had a great time in the Lord with Pastor Doug Ferguson and his wife Joan at Welcome Baptist in Greenville for their men's and Boy scout day. (Men the breakfast was TERRIFIC!) Thank you so much for allowing us to share in the morning worship hour with you. May God Bless this church and all the church family.

We'd like to thank all of our friends for their continued prayer and support. Please continue to pray for Betsy as she faces her medical needs and further tests. We trust and believe that God IS in control of this situation.  Please remember to pray for Cory. He's been doing a great job filling our lead position and we're VERY proud of him and his service to God. Remember if you have a special prayer request send it to our prayer page of our web site.

Don't forget Feb 16th @ Whitefield Baptist Church a benefit concert for The Haven Of Rest W/ Greater Vision and Total Praise. Tickets are still available.

Well that's all for now Y'all! Please continue to pray for each of us and our families as we continue our work for the Lord.

May God Bless You All,

Joe

Jan. 14, 2008- So some of you have been wondering what's going on with Total Praise. If you were not at the New Year's Concert boy did you miss out on a lot of fun.  We had such a good time.  Thanks to all of you who made it out for this special night. 

Lots of people are wondering what's happened with the change-over in the staff. In case you do not receive our e-news letter, we have had a change of faces on the stage.  Joining us on stage for the past few weeks is Mr. Cory Turner from Anderson, SC.  Cory is doing a great job filling the lead position.

This past Sunday night we had the honor of being with the fine folks at Cannon Memorial Baptist Church in Central, SC.  We had a dynamic spirit-filled service with lots of special friends.  Thanks so much to the church for allowing us to share the gospel through song.  In the little time that we got to spend with the pastor and church family, it gives us a great comfort to know that we have such friends as these in the family of God, uplifting and praying for us in this ministry. We look forward to being with you again in May.

We have lots of people who share prayer needs with us.  We ask that you continue to use our prayer page on the website to submit your prayer requests to us.  Two special requests for now that we would ask you to remember.  Our friend Marty Harris, tenor for Called Out Quartet, is having some vocal problems and has decided to step down from his position with the group.  We ask that you pray not only for Marty but the group as well as they strive to seek God's will in finding the right person to take his place.  I would also ask that  you pray for my wife, Betsy as she continue with some medical test.  I trust that whatever the findings are that we will see God's hand guiding our family through this situation.

We love each of you and ask that you lift each member of the Total Praise Quartet up in prayer daily.

Phillip