Concert References

From West Music Regional Training Session in Moline, IL 3/06

"Mary and Darcy were a tag-team EXPLOSION of creativity, interactivity, and down-right fun! The church musicians, fans, music enthusiasts, and ministers who attended our clinic entitled "How to Lead Children in Worship and Song" were BLOWN AWAY by the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm Mary and Darcy demonstrated. Many of them are still in contact with me - telling me story after story about how this program changed their ministries and their lives. As a music retailer, I actively work to build relationships with local houses of worship and I can honestly say that NOTHING impacted the churches I work with like this event did. Children's ministers (no matter what their occupation) need support, encouragement, training and new ideas... and NOBODY does it better than Mary and Darcy!"

James Harding
jharding@westmusic.com
West Music
Moline, IL
1-800-852-9106

From Grace Harvest Church concert in Spokane Washington 2/06

Good Morning Mary and company: 2/12/06

I just wanted to write and say thank you so much to you and your team for performing for our children. We had 100% positive feedback after the show and if we could do anything different ourselves, it would have been more media advertising so we could have packed the house. Our comments around here are "next time we will do just that."

Your ministry is amazing and it is such a gift to us that you and your team are sharing your talents and pouring out the God's anointing on us. Darcie and Green Go were such a treat as well! Deanna and I really are interested in learning the art of puppets. Our students would absolutely love it during our weekly chapels.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to bless the children of this community. I look forward to having you and your crew here again!

Blessings to all!

Suzy Orth
ELC Secretary
(509)926-1251
elcsecretary@graceharvest.org

12/15/05
From Fallbrook Presbyterian Concert in December 2005

Hi, my name is Adrienne Petersen, my family truly enjoyed your concert at Fallbrook Pres. My oldest daughter said that you were the best music teacher she ever had :). We just wanted to thank you for continuing to share God's love through your creative and fun music. Like I told you afterward, I grew up singing your songs at Forest Home, and I look forward to all my girls (including baby Abby) singing them to. Thanks for doing what you do. God Bless.
We hope you come back to Fallbrook again.

Adrienne Petersen
jeffnade@yahoo.com

I first heard Mary when I was 3 years old, at family camp. My parents bought me her cassette tapes and they became the soundtrack for our vacations and the favorite music in our house! I remember my Dad and I would sing Mary songs to each other and the sillier they were, the better! Growing up, I told my music teachers about Mary and how we needed to sing her songs, and sure enough, we sang her songs! Even in junior high, my friend and I convinced our parents or music teachers to take us to Mary’s concerts where we’d rush for a seat in the front!! (o: Mary’s music has been a staple in my life! It seems I always have a song in my heart!

When my little brother was born he was also introduced to Mary’s music. What kind of big sister would I be if I didn’t flood him with Mary Rice Hopkins?! When he was 3 or 4 I had heard about a concert Mary was doing and asked my parents to take us. It was after Mary’s concert, on our way home, that my little brother told us he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. We pulled over at a gas station and prayed with him! I’m 25 now and my brother is 13. I am a children’s pastor now and love using Mary’s music with my kids at church! I think of the difference her music made in my life and I can only hope to share a piece of that with my kids at church and someday, kids of my own. Mary’s mission statement is “planting seeds that last a lifetime” and that has definitely been the case with me!! What started when I was 3 has continued throughout my life and thanks to Mary, it seems I have a song to sing for everything! (o:

Carissa Raisbeck
Baseline Community Church
Children’s Director
714-904-1899