A devotional group that started with 15 students and two guitarists has now become a weekly worship night with more than 300 students, 20 band members, multiple instruments, and now a record. The group, known as Sanctuary, worships on Monday nights at 10:30 at Fellowship Bible Church in Searcy, Arkansas.
The group’s dream of producing a CD is now on the verge of becoming a reality. At the beginning of last semester, junior Hayes McPherson, the group’s drummer, contacted Harding alumnus Jeremy Anderson, who works as a producer in Memphis, Tennessee.
According to McPherson, the vision for the CD came when more and more students started asking where to find the songs they would sing during Sanctuary’s period of worship. However, because they were original songs, they were not available anywhere.
“We really don’t want it to be a big deal,” McPherson said. “We just want people to be able to worship God outside of those four walls.”
The CD consists of three original songs written and performed by Sanctuary, as well as the hymn “Down to the River.”
Though the release date is still undecided, the group is hopeful to have it available for download by the end of February. The music will be available to stream on Spotify and to purchase on iTunes. The group does not want any personal profit from the music and plans to use any money raised to give back to Fellowship Church and the producer.
Junior Sara Denny regularly attends Sanctuary, and she said she is excited for the release of this CD and everything it will bring.
“I love the heart behind Sanctuary,” Denney said. “(The group is) focused on using their talents for the glory of God and it is reflected in the Monday night worship services, because their hearts are invested in it.”
Junior Sarah Roe, who sings and writes for the group, said she wants Sanctuary to be a place of freedom for students and for the Searcy community.
“People can come here and be who they want to be,” Roe said. “They are free to worship God how they want to worship, whether it’s sitting, standing, or even dancing.”
McPherson said there has been a craving for students to explore their relationship with God through worship.
“(Sanctuary) is a way for people to get out of their comfort zone,” McPherson said. “They worship in a way they aren’t used to.”
