Blog by Pastor Russ Jacobson
Welcome to the ministry’s very first blog post! We have been looking forward to this day for a very long time. We have been searching for just the right method to keep you – our parishioners, viewers, supporters and friends updated with accurate, official content straight from the ministry. It has taken longer than we anticipated, but we wanted to make sure we did it right. We have now settled on the best approach and communication channel. As a result, you can expect to see fresh content here every week as we strive to keep our friends around the world informed about what is new with Shepherd’s Grove and The Hour of Power.
As our very first blog post, it is my pleasure to announce that the ministry will be planning and hosting a gala event to honor our founder: Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller. The event is entitled “Achieving the Impossible Dream: A Musical Tribute to Robert Schuller.” This is not a memorial service, but rather a concert dedicated to a man of God who treasured music as a direct pathway to the human heart. Please mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Shepherd’s Grove.
You may already recognize the date – it is Father’s Day, and we selected that day on purpose. Dr. Schuller was an earthly father to Robert A. and his sisters. He was also a beloved grandfather to Bobby and his cousins. To the rest of us, Dr. Schuller was akin to a spiritual father – an affirming, positive presence in our lives who exhorted us to overcome any obstacle and make every day a great day. I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Schuller in person, but his teaching brought me to faith in Jesus Christ and transformed my life in extraordinary ways. I can truly proclaim that my wife, children and I are Christians because of Dr. Schuller.
The details are still coming together, but we can already confirm that the world renowned Hour of Power choir and orchestra will both be present in full force under the direction of Don Neuen and Marc Riley respectively. We will also be blessed with stirring performances by Dorothy Benham, Ken Medema, Daniel Rodriguez, Tom Tipton, and other special guests. We also expect to have remembrances and anecdotes from personal friends of Dr. Schuller. You will not want to miss this opportunity to honor Dr. Schuller through music and the spoken word! The event will be taped for those who are unable to attend in person. Please stay tuned for details.
Thank you for taking the time to read this inaugural blog post. Please remember to connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Remember, God loves you and so do we!
–Russ Jacobson is the Chief Operating Officer for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, and also serves as the worship pastor for the traditional service. Russ is a graduate of UCLA, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has been married to Deanna for 20 years, and they have three children: Teyo (13), Lani (11) and Lea (9.5).