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reigning mercy
Interview by George Martinez (George's bio)

Reigning Mercy is a national recording group with Q Records who began their ministry in a Phoenix church. Since then, they have lined up an appearance at GMA Week, which showcases Christian music's finest music groups. Over lunch one afternoon they shared the development of their ministry.

It all started just for fun as three individual singers, Marybeth, Shari and Jalann, decided to start singing as a group. But quickly the leadership of their church told them, "We think there's something more here... there is such a touch of God when your voices come together." Though it began as fun, ministry began to happen when they sang Undivided by First Call. Shari explains: " ...God ministered to us through the song. We really believe that because God was ministering to us and through us, and ministering on that subject in our lives, that that was one of the main reasons there was such a strong anointing."

Early on, the 'entertainment' issue provided an obstacle. Some people didn't quite understand the excitement stirred up by the trio. Jalann said "We would think that it was really wrong to have 'fun' up on the platform and sing songs that we believed in because they are a part of our lives and they came from our lives... That was so hard until we learned... you 'have to' capture someone's attention." Tom Jackson who is the leader in artist performance development says "Entertainment needs to capture and keep someone's attention." In working through this new knowledge they were relieved to learn that you have to have someone's attention in order for them to hear the Gospel.

Shari explains that they asked themselves this question. "Do we want to be proactive about this (music group)? ... There are choices we will have to make about this. ... We had seen the effects of having great leadership involved on a regular basis. Up until that point they were there because they were being shepherds who were watching over their flock. But at that time we invited them in and we will be accountable to them and tell them since we are going to move forward with this to help us to figure out the foundation of this. At this point is was set up as a ministry."

Now with over 400 salvations from their concerts, it is fitting that they are called Reigning Mercy. Because their message is that God does not "reign in judgment, He reigns in mercy."

With all of their progress and blessing of the Lord, Jalann says "People ask us 'How do you do it? It looks like so much fun.'" Jalann continues "I'm going to be honest. We have had good times and not so good times. But the key is coming out on the other side of those bad times and saying, 'You know what? (God still says) I'm for you.'"

December 26th, 2000 the trio did what they thought would be their last concert. They made a decision to lay down the group. They faced a series of closed doors and rejection with many records labels. It was actually a long process that led to the decision to bring it all to an end. "We went through a lot of emotional ups and downs together... we were just a family now and that's OK." said Marybeth.

But they believe that God was just waiting for them to lay it all down. Shari said, "It was like He said, Now that you laid it all down I'm going to resurrect it, and this time it's going to be Me and I'm going to set things in motion and move things around."

By a series of events their CD found its way to the desk of Mick Lloyd. Two weeks after what they thought was their last concert, they got a phone call. Mick said he wanted to hear what the group sounded like live. Shari says "We know it would have to be something the industry would consider to be polished. ... But we didn't have any money in the bank account. ... So we asked, How are we going to do this? So Marybeth went to a church that night and was worshiping, really crying out. At this point we were all so humbled.... it 'had' to happen this way." Marybeth was crying out and this lady approached her sobbing and said "the Lord said I'm supposed to give this to you." It was a $10,000 check.

Just before they went on to do their concert for Mick they believed and prayed "OK Lord,... we're going to just go out there and minister like we always have. You have something for this man and if this is why this whole thing was put together, we're here for that." Mick did admit to having a life changing experience that evening. It looks like Reigning Mercy did also.

Shari tells us now, with the audience at their concerts Reigning Mercy "has one hour of their 'undivided' attention... let it be an hour that's life changing." "Undivided" Jalann interjects with excitement remembering the song by First Call.

Reigning Mercy's self-titled CD Reigning Mercy is available at all Christian bookstores now. Pick up your copy today.

About George Martinez: George Martinez is the founder of Christian Songwriters Resource.com and Publisher of Songwriting, the Journal. Phone 480-964-0710. Online Visit: http://christiansongwritersresource.com