“ I believe we get a chance to bring some much-needed hope to the world .”
~ Pastor Mike Jr .
Pastor Mike Jr . - Big
opportunity for you to be given a world stage for Gospel music and its message ?
[ Pastor Mike Jr .] I am so excited to be a part of the World Games next summer in Birmingham , Alabama . I mean this man . To be amongst this exceptional group of artists , many of which are my heroes I grew up listening to . My grandmother called me and said , " Baby I can ' t believe you ' ll be singing with so-and-so ." It means so much to me and to put Gospel Music on a world stage . And I ' m excited about it . I ' m excited about the part they ' ve given me to play in it .
And I believe once again that whenever the world wants to shift , it finds its way to Birmingham . During the Civil Rights Movement , the world was turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to segregation and degradation . It was not until children boycotted in Birmingham that the world took notice . Birmingham has always been a place of reconciliation and change . And with what ’ s taking place overseas and Covid19 , political division across the world , right now , I believe we get a chance to bring some muchneeded hope to the world .
and the group that you are famous for being a member of Alabama . The musical line-up for the Games is nothing short of spectacular . It ’ s imperative that any message of hope must contain diversity not only exemplified by athletes from around the world , but by the musical artists participating . What can you say about this ?
[ Randy ] I want everyone to feel like they ’ re a part of something larger than just one . A feeling of feeling needed and wanted .
[ WM ] Thank you all for this time and for sharing your vision for hope and the Gospel to the world !
[ WM ] And I will close with Randy Owen . Randy , thank you so much for this time . I ’ ve certainly followed your career with the group Alabama for many years . You are an
Honorary Co-Chair for next year ’ s Games , and in addition to performing for them , you ’ ve cowritten the theme song for The World Games along with your daughter Alison and Dr . Henry Panion III .
The state of Alabama has a very rich musical heritage , not the least of which includes you
Randy Owen