After a foot-tapping bluegrass song by The Berge Family, the Smiths and Berges continue to share about the early development of their family's music ministries, and how those ministries became a very important part of what they did for the Lord. The session then turns towards one of the most difficult challenges any family ministry group faces, that of what happens when the children grow up and enter into that transitional season when love is in the air, relationships begin that end up in marriages that can and often do bring immense change on any family group. The question is, what then? How should a family face times like that when change could change a ministry that God is powerfully using? Ken Berge addresses this challenge by encouraging listeners to allow for the natural transition to a new generation of families, even if it means significant change or even the ending of a great run of family music ministry. The session ends with a meaningful song from the Smiths that feature Craig's father, Ray Smith, in the classic old gospel song, I Should Have Been Crucified, in a re-recording of the Smith Family Trio's version of the song they originally recorded in 1974. Be blessed, dear friend, as our two family's share in the music that shaped decades of our family's life.

Today the Smiths continue their interview with Ken and Becky Berge on the topic of family based ministry. For the Smiths and Berges, it's all about music. The episode begins with a song Craig and LaDonna recorded in both English and Navajo called, I Must Tell Jesus, and it ends with a beautiful A capella rendition of Beulah Land by the Berge Family. In-between, the Smiths and Berges continue their discussion about Ken and Becky and the Berge family's interesting backstory, which includes some fascinating stories that involve WWII, love, and marriage. Two couples from two different families and backgrounds, and a loving God who called them into serving the Lord as a family ministry team are what these episodes are all about. There truly is power in family based ministry, and as this story continues to unfold in the next few weeks, you'll see that clearly. Craig and LaDonna also pray you will be blessed by the addition of the songs of both the Smiths and Berges in each of the sessions in this series. The Smiths and Berges embody the biblical admonition to, Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth. Come before is presence with singing...

Today Craig and LaDonna begin a unique series on the family. Specifically, the power of God as He uses families to serve Him together. And that can be done in many different ways. Craig and LaDonna welcome to the broadcast their dear friends, Ken and Becky Berge. The Smith and Berge families come from the same home church, Cass Lake Alliance Church in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Both families were called by the Lord into music ministries that have taken them across North America and internationally as well. These episodes are unique in that not only will you hear from the couples in this fascinating interview, but you'll hear their music as well. Each episode will include one song from the recording archives of each of the family groups. You'll be amazed by the backstory of the Berge family, and the impact they continue to have in encouraging other families to seek the Lord and find out how He can use them in family based ministry. Ken and Becky are founders of the hugely popular Lake Itasca Family Music Festival, an annual weekend event in early August that drew in 2024 close to 3,500 attendees to listen to the powerful and beautiful harmonies of families that use their gifts to proclaim the gospel in song. You won't want to miss a single episode in this series, friends! Let others know about it and encourage them to listen to these couples as they share principles for families seeking to serve the Lord together!