The RenewaNation Review 2020 The Collingsworth Family Special Edition | Page 35
By Dr. Kimberly Pennington
with all our hearts despite the devastating circumstances
surrounding our father’s death,” she said.
Sharlenae’s love for Jesus motivated her to attend a Chris-
tian college in Cincinnati, Ohio. That college owned a Chris-
tian school where Phillip played basketball during his junior
and senior years of high school. “Naturally, we began to see
each other more and more,” Phillip said. Their shared faith
in Christ, combined with Sharlenae’s kind and compassion-
ate demeanor, was attractive to Phillip. “One thing led to
another, and we began dating in 2011,” he said.
“Phillip was always the perfect gentleman and always had
a way of making me laugh. He was back then and still is my
very best friend. I love how our relationship started out as
friends first,” Sharlenae said. The friends had their fairytale
wedding in June 2014.
Sharlenae began traveling with The Collingsworth Fami-
ly immediately, serving in many behind-the-scenes capaci-
ties. One role she filled valiantly, according to her husband,
was that of logistics coordinator for guest artists at The
Collingsworth Family’s first annual worship retreat in 2019:
The Inspiration Encounter, held at The Ark Encounter in
Williamstown, Kentucky. “Sharlenae managed all the guest
artist logistics on the ground throughout the entire week-
end,” Phillip said. “She definitely has the gifts of hospitali-
ty and helps.” Among the artists Sharlenae served was the
200-voice Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Due to her profes-
sional training in culinary arts, Sharlenae also served as art
and project director for Family Favorites from The Colling-
sworth Kitchen, a cookbook published in 2019.
Musically, Phillip and Sharlenae often minister together
through a duet Collingsworth Family fans have come to
love: “Redeemer of the Rain,” recorded on the group’s That
Day Is Coming CD and live performance DVD of the same
title. “The song has the most meaningful lyrics which paint
a beautiful picture of how God, our Redeemer, never wastes
pain and how He brings beauty out of brokenness through
the trials we face,” Sharlenae stated. “It resonated so much
with me because of the storm my family faced when my
father died. We felt God comforting us and drawing us to
His side.”
“My wife and I have received countless messages and
emails about how that song helped people through horribly
tough times in their lives. Hearing these stories is an amaz-
ing encouragement and motivation to us,” Phillip added.
In addition to their roles with The Collingsworth Family
ministry, which for Phillip, includes lead tenor vocals and
managing all technical elements of the family’s live perfor-
mances (audio, video, and lighting), Phillip and Sharle-
nae took on their most challenging role to date when they
became parents to their first child, Noah Timothy, born
January 31, 2020. “The role of father is both fantastic and
terrifying all at once,” said Phillip. “Knowing you have the
responsibility of a tiny human can be an intimidating thing.”
He plans to follow his parents’ example by surrounding
Noah with people, entertainment, and biblical principles
that will reflect the image and character of Christ.
Sharlenae agrees. “Before Noah was born, I started pray-
ing for him. My prayer has always been for him to grow up
to love and seek after God with his whole heart. As he grows,
I can’t wait to teach him Bible stories, songs, and more that
point him to the amazing God we serve,” she said.
In addition to caring for his family, Phillip hones his
audio engineering skills during his time off the road. “I
have a recording studio in my home—Solid Sound Studios.
I am frequently working on jobs with other artists and
their recording projects. I also subcontract to do live audio
production and events consultation on occasion,” he said.
Through the years, Phillip has come to know the Lord as
an all-provisional God. “I have seen him provide for The
Collingsworth Family over and over again, especially when
we all fasted and prayed. My hope is that we will continue to
grow closer and strive after Christ and that I will guide and
raise Noah in the fear and admonition of the Lord,” he said.
For Sharlenae, the goal is simple: “My prayer is that we
always remain in the center of God’s will.” ■
“MY PRAYER HAS ALWAYS
BEEN FOR HIM TO GROW UP TO
LOVE AND SEEK AFTER GOD WITH
HIS WHOLE HEART.”