Tidwell, Oller to offer inspiration at Worship on the Water summer finale

August 3, 2019 | 3:18 am

Updated August 4, 2019 | 6:25 am

The final performance of a three-part summer series, Glenn Funeral Home’s Worship on the Water on Friday, August 16, promises to offer an experience unique from any of the previous performances.

While the events of the past two years have been centered around non-denominational Christian music, this performance will also feature two inspirational guest speakers from the Owensboro community.

One year ago, plastic surgeon and current Owensboro Health Vice President for Population Health, Dr. Jim Tidwell, experienced a cervical spine injury that left him paralyzed from his chest down. Word of Tidwell’s injury quickly spread throughout the community and social media as many began to raise funds and join in prayer for his recovery.

“Last year, at our first Worship on the Water, Dr. Tidwell was part of our special prayer because it had just happened,” said vocalist and event developer Cathy Mullins.

Tidwell said he is looking forward to the event as it gives him and his family the opportunity to voice their appreciation publicly.

“I am so glad to be asked to participate in Worship on the Water,” Tidwell said. “I want to take every possible opportunity to thank this community for the love and support that’s been shown to me and my family.”

Grant Oller, a Daviess County High School senior, was hospitalized and placed on life support in September 2018 after battling pneumonia. A candlelight vigil was held on behalf of Oller and his family on September 30, 2018, on the DCHS baseball field, followed by a nearly three-month-long outpouring of prayers around and beyond the Owensboro community.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to speak at Worship on the Water,” Oller said. “My faith in God gave me the strength and determination I needed to prevail in my toughest time. I want people to know they are stronger than they know they are. I hope sharing my story will help others in our community to strive and pray for strength when needed.”

Mullins said she was thrilled that Tidwell and Oller would be speaking given the impact they had had on the community.

“Both of them experienced life-changing things throughout the last year and have been a lightning rod in our community — and both credit prayer with their recovery,” Mullins said. “Thousands of people were praying for both of them even beyond this community.”

In addition to words of inspiration, Mullins said the finale was designed to incorporate and showcase the community choir rather than the traditionally composed choir of multiple worship leaders and musicians from area churches. Mullins said this newly-created All-City Worship Choir will be a blend of 15 different churches including ancillary musicians, drummers and bass players.

“This will not be your typical choir — it’s more of a praise choir. We want to present the first community mass choir featuring 50, 100 — even 200 voices for Worship on the Water,” Mullins said. “We are putting a call out for singers and worship leaders — we are inviting anyone and everyone that wants to be a part to join us in the choir.”

Individuals of all ages, including school-aged children, are invited to attend practice on Sunday, August 4 and Sunday, August 11 at 3 p.m. at Bellevue Baptist Church.

“We are introducing our newest and youngest worship leader, 10-year-old Emmie Kate Williams,” Mullins said. “She will be joining us to lead the song “Ain’t No Grave.”

Worship on the Water’s final performance of 2019 will be held Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. on the Cannon Hall Stage at RiverPark Center.

August 3, 2019 | 3:18 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like