The RenewaNation Review 2020 The Collingsworth Family Special Edition | Page 28

Michael
& Courtney
When Courtney Collingsworth began touring full-time in
music ministry with her family, she was eight years old and
thought it was an adventure. “My parents were very brave to
take four kids around the country in a minivan. I have lots
of memories of Mom packing lunches in the cooler in the
back of the van and doing homeschool in the back seat. It
was exciting for us kids!” she said.
What she remembers most about her formative years,
though, is how she became a Christian motivated to live for
the Lord. “I was blessed to attend Christian school for a few
years before we went full time on the road. I’ll never forget
my first-grade teacher sharing how to become a Christian.
She asked if any of us wanted to ask Jesus into our hearts. I
raised my hand and said a prayer that day,” she stated.
She continued: “My parents sought godly counsel but
always went to the Bible first when making decisions. They
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taught us to do the same. Because they wholeheartedly
leaned on God’s Word for direction in their lives, I saw how
God led them, answered prayer, and how fulfilled they were
following His will. It made me want to seek God’s Word and
inspired me to serve Him.” She also credits her parents with
helping her overcome fear as a teenager when she started
appearing at Gaither Homecoming events. “They were all
so kind, but it was intimidating singing in front of all those
veteran artists. My mom was great at coaching us vocally
and giving us confidence.”
Courtney’s desire to serve the Lord is what Michael Metz
most appreciates about his wife of nine years. “She has many
great character traits. Courtney is selfless, giving, smart,
and strong. My favorite thing about her is that she wants to
do God’s will more than anything,” he said of Kim and Phil
Collingsworth’s second child. “Our most important goal is
to grow together spiritually and to seek God’s will in our
lives,” he stated.
Michael, who also grew up in a Christian home and placed
his faith in Christ as a child, met Courtney at a youth retreat
when the two were ages 17 and 14, respectively. Their future
brother-in-law, William Blair, made the introduction. The
first meeting did not result in an immediate attraction, but
a second meeting several months later started the friend-
ship that led to love. “We really hit it off and never stopped