New Mexico Singing Churchmen to hold concert

PORTALES — Church members across the state are raising money through the power of song.

The New Mexico Singing Churchmen (NMSC) are making their way to Portales for a benefit concert supporting the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries (NMBCH&FM).

The free concert is at 7 p.m. March 23 at First Baptist Church (FBC) in Portales.

The men's choir consists of part-time and full-time volunteers, NMSC Director Lamar Morin said. Pastors and church members statewide form the group.

"Not many men's choirs float around unless it's in the universities," said Morin, an Eastern New Mexico University Music Education graduate. "It's kind of unique that way."

The group usually raises money for the W.A. Bradshaw/NMSC Scholarship Fund for those aiming to serve in music ministries, Morin said, while also raising money for mission trips.

The FBC concert, however, will raise money for the Children's Home specifically, the first time the group is hosting a concert outside of their scholarship fundraising.

The group will collect donations and sell music CD's during the concert to benefit the home.

"(The Children's Home) is working on a new adoption initiative. That just resonated with us," said Morin. "We know there's a lot of kids that need adoption in New Mexico. We're excited to be there."

NMBCH&FM Executive Director Randy Rankin said the home voted in September to change their name from the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home to the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries to expand their services.

The home will work on three initiatives: an adoption program, bringing in a Christian therapist for the home and the community and expansion across the state for the Christian Women Job Corps.

"Under that umbrella, (we want to) open up those ministries and reach families throughout the state who might not place their children with us," said Rankin.

Rankin added it was the NMSC that created the initiative to raise money for the home.

"They've always been aware of us," said Rankin. "(It helps us) get the word out to separate churches across the state."