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 Max Lucado |
"Mary’s music has been well received by members of our congregation and has been used by our children’s ministry. Mary performed a delightful concert here a few years ago. I attended the concert and was impressed by her music, her obvious love of children, and her ease of communicating and interacting with them. Our children’s minister tells me that Mary is a true pioneer in children’s music, forging a trail for other artists." Max Lucado, Author, Pastor, Inspirational Speaker |
 Fern Nichols |
What a privilege for me to honor a woman who follows hard after God’s heart and uses her gifts for His honor and glory. The first time I met Mary Rice Hopkins was at a Moms In Touch rally. She was asked to lead the women in worship. And worship we did. I hadn’t realized the full scope of her ministry until she gave me her children’s videos. I immediately played “In my Garden” for my grandson, Joshua. It was so captivating that he listened to the whole video - twice. When he comes to play at grandma’s house, he wants to see “Mary”. It has been a wonderful fun way to hide the truth of who God is, His love and His Word in his precious little heart. Now his little sister, Jessica, who just turned one, loves to listen to Mary. It’s amazing how those tunes stick in your mind. I caught myself humming the tunes throughout the day. Mary is a wonderful communicator. She speaks from her heart. She has an urgent desire to help families stay close and be God centered. She communicates with sincerity, clarity, and her natural humor engages all ages. Once you have experienced Mary, you’ll want to again. Fern Nichols, Founder/President, Moms In Touch International |
 Joni Eareckson Tada |
Spirit-blessed and happy-hearted, sheer fun and Savior-centered. This describes exactly the music ministry of my good friend, Mary Rice Hopkins. When she starts strumming her guitar and weaving a song, boys and girls can't help but be caught up in an ecstatic fountain of effervescent praise-filled singing! I have especially enjoyed watching the way Mary Rice involves everybody. She has a rare gift of making each child -- even children with severe disabilities -- feel loved, accepted and, well... part of the gang! No doubt about it.
I would trust Mary Rice Hopkins with any child anywhere. Why? Because
she touches tender hearts with the truth of the Gospel.
She is a circumspect artist, always keenly aware of her God-given
stewardship over the children who sit at her feet. She possesses the
brilliant
ability
to, at once, be both wise and winsome. She captivates boys and
girls with her passionate love of the Lord Jesus. And she does it all
-- whether
in
message or music -- with on-pitch perfection. Joni Eareckson Tada, Inspirational Speaker and Author; |
 Mark Zimmerman |
I consider it an honor
to write about Mary Rice Hopkins and her ministry to kids and families.
In 1993, when I took over the children's programming at WCRF in Cleveland, we had 7 CDs...just 7. The rest of the music was extremely outdated. Within a couple of weeks of searching, I found some of Mary's early work and got it on the air. Within a couple of months, Mary was on her way to Northeast Ohio for her first concert. As the years have gone by, Mary has always been accommodating and available to me as a broadcaster. Her music, whether Scripturally-based, story-based, or just-for-fun-based, always makes an impact. In working with some of Mary's contemporaries, I have seen some wonderful "concerts." When I work with Mary, it's more like an "interactive" experience. From the first song to the last, Mary's music draws the audience in...I said audience...not just kids. When my children's program went to national syndication, Mary and her Producer, Denny Bouchard, basically donated our jingle package...In the broadcast world, that doesn't happen very often. In short, Mary's music and musicianship, ministry, ethics, and heart for the Lord are beyond question. And now, with the addition of her new recording of some of her favorites in Spanish, she's added a cross-cultural dimension to her ministry that really makes her unique. If one is looking for a ministry team member to fill the very unique role (and you really can't appreciate how unique it is unless you've 'been there' and 'done that'), they would do well to call upon Mary's experience, heart, and music. Thanks for letting me tell you about my friend. Mark
Zimmerman, WCRF / Moody Bible Institute, Cleveland, Ohio |
 Ken Boone |
Mary Rice-Hopkins is an extremely talented lady. She's a daughter, sister, wife, and mother--but best of all she's a child of the King and is glad to let people know it. This has prompted her ministry of music for thousands of children and their families. And it's first-class! I regularly select her songs for use during our nationally-syndicated children's radio program WE KIDS. Each is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and fits well with our WE KIDS message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe Mary would be a valuable addition to any church or ministry. She loves the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, sings skillfully of and for Him, and loves youngsters. I recommend her most highly. Ken Boone, "Mr Nick", WE
KIDS Radio, Paradise, CA |
 Chuck Swindoll |
“What a breath of fresh air! Her style is contagious, and her spirit
is beautiful. Kids of all ages (even gray-haired granddads like me) never
tire of her tunes or forget her lyrics.”
Chuck Swindoll - President, Dallas Seminary & Author |
 Charles W. Colson |
“Thank you again for the wonderful concert on behalf of Angel Tree and for your kind words from the platform about the work of Prison Fellowship, and Angel Tree in particular. The work and endorsement of others in ministry like yourself is important to our efforts to minister to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families through the local church.” Charles
W. Colson-International Speaker, Radio Commentator, & Author |
 Renée Bondi |
"I want to thank you for your great new CD! It is wonderful! It has been in my son's CD player for weeks, so it has passed the test and is a hit! Again, congratulations!" Renée Bondi-Inspirational Singer, Speaker, & Author |
 John Trent |
“Not only are you wonderfully talented…but all I hear
day and night around the house are Mary Rice Hopkins songs! In fact,
I’ve enclosed the only lullaby that my two-year-old, Laura, will
let be sung…and it has to be sung by Kari, our six-year-old every
night. John Trent, Ph. D.-Speaker, Author, & President of Encouraging
Words. |
|
"My Granddaughter was glued to the TV watching and immediately singing the songs and acting out the skits. This DVD will be a big hit! " Betty Robertson of "Creative Christian Ministries"
|
"Webster's
dictionary offers too few adjectives for describing the heart-touching,
life-changing sessions by Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze at our
Children's Ministry Conference. “I wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful job you did at our Home School conference. Your music was very well received by the families present. Beyond that, your message honored Christ and, therefore, added special meaning to the event.” Glen L. Schultz, Ed.D, “I love to go to a Mary Rice Popkins (or, as we know her, Hopkins) concert. Her songs make me happy inside, but my daddy cries on the Fingerprints song. I guess he loves it too.” Josh “I like your songs. My name is Brooklyn Yoder. I will be seven. I am in the first grade. I watch your videos. You and your family are welcome to come for dinner anytime you are in town.” Brooklyn Yoder "I first became acquainted with Mary Rice Hopkins’ music ministry because I am a mom with the kids at our church. Mary has an amazing gift for sharing the love of our Creator with children. The music reaches kids at their level without “talking down” to them, and the hand motions reinforce the lesson so that the message really sticks. What is even more amazing than Mary’s gift for children’s ministry is how her music reaches adults and helps us to “come to the Father as a child.” Unlike the fans of Frosted Flakes and Tony the tiger, I’m not a closet Mary fan. I listen to her music by choice when I don’t even have kids around because it helps me to connect with my God.” Loree
Benedict-Jackson “My oldest
son, Tyler, is severely emotionally impaired. He suffers from
fits of rage that are sometimes uncontrollable …about 2
years ago I first saw your video (“Live in Concert”)
and was exposed to your music ministry. This particular morning,
Tyler was in a very bad way. We managed to get him to church
because I had “Nursery Duty.” We happened to pull
your tape out. My son for the first time sat still and watched
this video from beginning to end. He never moved and seemed happy & content …it
calmed him right down. This was a new concept for us, so I ran
out the very next day and bought this video. It has the same
calming effect every time it’s played …we have practically
wore this tape out, it’s used so much. You have no idea
what a blessing you are to my son and me. Now 2 years later,
Tyler knows all the words and the hand motions to “Live
in Concert.” He calls you the “Guitar Lady.” Cheryl
Dise |
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