At Mt. Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church, their mission is straightforward, “to seek and to save the lost by introducing them to Christ.” The church carries out these goals through the preaching of God’s word, given by Dr. Christopher Armstrong, senior pastor.
The church’s ministry at Mt. Vernon is also delivered to the congregation through song. Bishop Jeffery Brandon is the church’s minister of music and ensures each week that Mt. Vernon members and guests hear melodies that uplift and spread the message of Christ.
The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper talked with Bishop Brandon about his love of gospel music and being a shepherd over the Mt. Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church choir.
The Indianapolis Recorder: When did your love of gospel music begin?
Brandon: I was raised in the church since birth. I’ve just always had a love for church music. Around the age of 10, I became a member of the Sunday School choir. I would watch the adults play and decided at age 13 I wanted to play the keyboard too. I’ve been singing and playing ever since. I have a really good foundation.
You have remained faithful to the gospel music ministry. What is it about gospel music that you love?
It begins with my relationship with God. Then it’s the ability to express how I feel toward him through music.
What choirs do you enjoy listening to?
I like the Chicago Mass Choir, Bishop Hezekiah Walker…even Ricky Dillard. I like people like that.
You are responsible for Mt. Vernon’s choir and what the congregation hears on Sunday mornings, but how do you keep yourself grounded in God’s word?
I’m not only a musician, but I’m also a minister. I’ve been in the preaching ministry since 1983, therefore I’m always studying, praying and fasting. That keeps me steadfast in what God wants me to do.
What’s Mt. Vernon’s preference of style of music?
We are well rounded. We do the traditional gospel, contemporary gospel and we also do praise and worship. We do it all. We also have different age groups in choirs so we have a range of people expressing themselves through the different styles of music. With that comes different abilities, but we reach to be the best we can be.
How do you choose the music for the choir?
Sometimes I may just hear a song and think, “that fits the choir” or other times I may suggest a song I think they’d like. I choose the music a lot of different ways.
Anything special you’re working on with Mt. Vernon’s choir?
I don’t have anything in particular that I’m excited about, but I’m really excited about everything we do. (Laughs). I am doing a lot of meditating right now on trying to get back into songwriting.
What, in your opinion, is the state of gospel music right now?
I don’t think it will ever die, but we need to appreciate gospel music more. We can get so caught up in the mainstream, we forget about what gospel music can do. Church choirs and church musicians need to become more well rounded and develop more formats to keep gospel music alive and well.
Any encouragement you’d like to give those who are in church choirs or music ministers?
I want to encourage everybody to stay faithful and stay true to gospel music. Music ministers, always be prayerful so we can select the proper music that’s going to help minister to the people of God because everybody’s going through something. When they come through the church doors, not only do they need a word from the church pastor, but the music plays a very important part in their deliverance. When you read the Bible, when Israel went off to war, they’d have praisers there and they’d sing the praises out first. Music is very important in our spiritual warfare.
709 N. Belmont Ave.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46222
(317) 636-4964
Schedule
Sunday
Sacrificial Service – 8 a.m.
Sunday School – 9 a.m.
Sunday Service – 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays
Wednesdays in the Word – 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit MtVernonIndy.org.
