Southern gospel music fans in the Pembina Valley have reason to celebrate this weekend. The Glorybound Quartet, a staple in the regional gospel scene for 25 years, will be performing alongside the renowned Lumber River Quartet from North Carolina.
"This is a mission. It is not something we do for a livelihood. It is simply to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others." - Jonathan Friesen, bass singer with the Glorybound Quartet.
A mission rooted in faith
Jonathan Friesen, the bass singer for Glorybound is excited to share a vibrant and heartfelt Southern gospel experience to local audiences.
Friesen explained the deep purpose behind Glorybound’s music. "Sharing the gospel with others is definitely our main mission," he said. "We do feel that this is a mission. It is not something we do for a livelihood. It is simply to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others, to those that have maybe never heard, but also encourage others that are maybe in the faith already but need some encouragement with whatever stage of life they're at."
A legacy of southern gospel in the Pembina Valley
Glorybound has been a consistent presence on local posters and stages throughout their 25 years. Friesen reminisced about the strong gospel music scene that once thrived in the area and recognized local groups such as the Glencross Quartet. "It has been a little while since we have been together at an event, but certainly we have over the years numerous times," he said about collaborations with Glencross. You can enjoy Glorybound and the Glencross Quartet as well as many other gospel groups at Altona's Gospel Music Festival, Saturday, Aug 16th.
The group’s connection with the Lumber River Quartet goes back as far as their own beginning. Friesen recounted, "Lumber River has been coming to southern Manitoba for, well, a number of years before that. After one of their events, myself and one other guy connected with Glenn West from Lumber River, and he encouraged us to get our own group started."
Local performances to look forward to
The Glorybound Quartet will perform at two free events this weekend: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Winkler EMMC Church, followed by the Altoona Gospel Music Festival on Saturday at Altona Park starting at noon. Friesen encourages everyone to come and enjoy the music.
He noted that while admission is free to both events, a love offering will be taken, with proceeds for the Altona event going to Youth for Christ.
Lumber River’s return to the Pembina Valley has become almost a tradition, with the group frequently visiting to share their music and faith.
Living their faith
Friesen spoke highly of Lumber River’s authenticity. "We witnessed first hand the testimony of Glenn West's life. They are very real people, obviously, but their faith is very real too, and whether at home or on stage, you get what you see."
He emphasized the genuine spirit behind their music, adding, "If they see that you have a gift, they want to encourage you to make use of that and praise the Lord with it."
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Favorite songs and the future of Southern Gospel
When asked about his favorite songs, Friesen mentioned classics that resonate deeply with audiences. "One that we do is 'Look for Me at Jesus' Feet' made popular by the Booth Brothers. The message in it is powerful—the greatest thing in heaven is Jesus himself."
The longtime performer is optimistic about the next generation of Southern gospel music. "I would love to see the next generation Glorybound," he said.
Everyone’s invited
Friesen made it clear that Southern gospel is not just for seniors, despite its popularity with that demographic. "Pretty much everyone in the quartet was exposed to Southern gospel as teenagers. There are many opportunities for younger people to enjoy this music."
Experience the heart and soul of Southern gospel this weekend with Glorybound Quartet and Lumber River. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to the genre, these performances promise to uplift and inspire.
For more information on local gospel music events and Southern gospel in Manitoba, keep an eye on community listings here: Community Events - PembinaValleyOnline.com