The REAL Phil

Last Sunday, a good friend of ours, David, was invited to play in a band that was backing Phil Stacey in concert. I'm huge American Idol fan and decided to check it out. Our family loaded up the van and headed to church. Yep, Phil Stacey was singing at a 10:30 Worship Service at a church! I knew that Phil Stacey sang country music, so I wondered how this church service would go.

(Here's David Rockin the keys)!

Along with our family, David's wife, Mel and their kids also came to the concert, while the little ones acted crazy in the church nursery! Good choice! If it wasn't for the kids church being canceled and moved to the main service to enjoy the concert with the adults, our older girls would have most definitely been in a children's class (they were a little stir crazy in the seats)!

After some worship time in the beginning of the service, Phil was introduced and took the stage. I had always liked Phil Stacey on American Idol. He was proud of his country. He was a family man. He had an incredible voice. And Phil had a great attitude and heart. I knew something was different about this guy. So then Phil Stacey began to share his story, his faith, and his ministry. He started with the hymn, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus." I love the true devotion that Phil has to advancing the Lord's Kingdom. He is a real guy and a man sold on Jesus! Phil then performed a few of his country songs. They were great and each song had a great message. I love that he used his main stream "secular" talent to still get a message across. We need more people like that out there "in the world." And lastly, Phil performed, "Hold me Jesus," a song that he would sing as he would nervously stand backstage of the American Idol set before heading on stage to perform. It was beautiful!

Here is a video of Phil singing "Hold Me Jesus" at Z88.3 during his trip here to Orlando. I almost didn't recognize him with the dark beard.

Other American Idols that have been very forward about the faith have been Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle, Chris Sligh, and Mandisa Hundley. And recently, I was excited to see this video by Jason Castro:

You can check out Phil Stacey's bio on the web here. He has an amazing story.