This Sunday morning, July 23rd, we welcome to the Ridge a great friend and mentor of mine, Don Wharton.  He will be leading us in our times ofworship.  Don left a teaching and coaching position at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, MI in 1979 to pursue a full-time music ministry. He has performed over 3,000 concerts at churches,schools and conventions in all 50 states and three foreign countries. He has written over 250 songs, recorded 20 album projects, written 3 books and 5 screenplays, and survived one plane crash.  

On August13, 1993, Don was one of seven survivors of a small plane crash into the Bering Sea near Nome, Alaska.  The group was returning from a missionary/humanitarian aid trip to the Russian Far East when their plane experienced fuel problems and was forced to land on the ocean near Sledge Island, some 27 miles from Nome Alaska.  The plane sank into the ocean a minute after the group exited the plane. 

Don and his wife Leslie currently live in Fort Wayne where Don continues to pursue a full schedule of concerts and speaking engagements, writing, and, most recently, producing films.

Be sure to invite all of your friends and neighbors to join you this Sunday morning!  It will be an incredible time of worship and praise to our Lord.  A free-will offering will be taken at the door following the service to help Don in his continued ministry.  

I hope to see everyone there!

Pat Garmire