Sunday May 10th, 2009
By Brian Nixon
Special to ASSIST News Service
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (ANS) — Dove award-winning singer, Crystal Lewis, was in Albuquerque, New Mexico to sing at Calvary of Albuquerque’s Mother’s Day services.
Crystal Lewis
Lewis, a mother of two, told the audience heart-warming stories of her own children, both teenagers. As teenagers, Lewis explained that her children’s favorite phrase is “I know.”
“No matter what I am telling them- something they never heard or knew- they still say, ‘I know.’ It can be frustrating, because this ‘teenage phrase’ conveys a know-it-all attitude. But as a mother, my prayer is that they- and all children- would know God’s love in a real way.”
Lewis’s musical career is a testament to God’s love. At the ripe age of 15, Lewis began singing for the creators of Psalty, and by the age of 17 she was offered a recording contract.
After two albums with a Southern California record company, Lewis starred in a Nickelodeon T.V series called, Roundhouse.
Then, in 1992, Lewis began recording full time once again, this time under her own label, Metro One.
Her albums were quite successful, especially, Bride, which produced, “Shine Jesus Shine,” reaching #1 on the Pop/Dance charts.
In 1996, Lewis released her album, Beauty for Ashes. On this album came Lewis’ most recognizable song, “People Get Ready…Jesus is Coming.”
With Grammy award nominations, female vocalists awards, Dove awards, and collaborations with Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, and Bono (at the 1999 Grammy Awards), one would think Lewis would stay close to the entertainment world in her native Southern California.
But this is not the case.
Crystal told me that the Lewis family moved to Montana three years ago.
“We live in a small city in Montana. It is such a beautiful place.”
The church Crystal calls “home” is Fresh Life Church, a Calvary of
Levi Lusko
Albuquerque church plant, led by Levi Lusko.
Levi Lusko was youth pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque before planting this church two years ago.
According to Levi’s father, Chip Lusko, the church now has 1,000 members and is having a great impact on the city of Kalispell.
Levi states that his goal for the Church is that “people would be enamored with Jesus Christ.”
“We want to see people integrated into the community of believers and equipped to impact their culture and the world.”
Crystal seems to love her new home and church (calling Levi, “her little brother”).
Moving is something Crystal is familiar with. On her blog, she writes,
“I have moved around a lot. I’ve lived in only 2 states but I’ve moved from house to house, city to city about 17 times in my 39 years. That’s a lot of packing my friends. And one thing I love about moving is the act of taking inventory as you pack. You go thru your things…the stuff that inevitably accumulates as we buy, buy, buy… and decide what to give away. I actually enjoy this process. I love change.
“As much as I love change and as much as it has been, and I’m sure will continue to be, a significant part of who I am as a person, there is something else that is of far greater importance that keeps me loving life… the truth. It never changes. It has been the theme of my songs from day 1. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”! He is truth. He never changes. His word remains the same. Is that not comforting? To know that no matter what changes and encounters we face in this life, Jesus is there! His word is there! The truth remains the same!”
On this Mother’s Day we can thank God for mothers, but- just as Crystal has reminded us- we can thank God for His truth that all people- mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, can stand on!
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Brian Nixon is a pastor, writer, musician, and family man. He currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
