About HARLEND – worship leaders and Saturday Night Concert

Worship is not a title for a particular sound you will hear when listening to Harlend’s newest CD, but it is worship that does not soften the reality of the struggle. The music liberates, and comes alive with rich layers of heart thumping sound. The lyrics pull the listener in with gut wrenching honesty and hope found in every song. With the perfect mix of driving beats and earthy ballads, the music holds appeal for a broad base of listeners. Songs like “Sounds Like” and “Jubilee” drive home the message of our miraculous God, while other favorites such as “Last Bridge Back to You,” confront the issue of our struggle in this imperfect world. Harlend uses their art to worship, to inspire, and to be a conduit for God’s love to a heartless world.

It all began several years ago when guitarist Matt Sawmiller (of the former Broken Yoke) and frontman Justin Mackey (former guitarist with Fusebox) were introduced at a local steakhouse. Sensing the instant connection, Justin and Matt joked about one day being in a band together. Little did they know that path was already being laid for each of them.

The momentum grew with the addition of Zach Harmon (also of the former Broken Yoke). The three men immediately sought God’s plan for the newly revived group. Thus began the birth of a collaboration and a feeling of correlation amongst the artists. The music, the melodies, and infectious guitar riffs came one after the other. The feeling was one of divine appointment and a call to a greater work for the kingdom.

At the same time God was working to bring the finishing element to the group. Brandon Suever, drummer for the band and the final addition to the rock quartet, is fueled by the same passion as the rest of the group. The passion is for the ministry and the passion is for the music. From Harlend’s introduction to the moment when the last fan leaves a Harlend show, participants cannot help but feel the Christ-loving genuine nature of Harlend.

“When this life is over what will any of us have to justify our existence?” asks Mackey, “Except that we answered the call to be witnesses for Christ in a world that has forgotten Him.”

About REV. GARY HENDERSON –Sunday Morning Preacher

Rev. Gary Henderson is no stranger to the East Ohio Annual Conference. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Global Health Initiative at United Methodist Communications in Nashville. Prior to this appointment he served as pastor at Euclid East Shore, Community of Living Hope and Lorain Wesley. He is a member of the World Methodist Council and its Executive Committee, former Conference Secretary of the East Ohio Annual Conference, and served as chairperson of the East Ohio Conference Board of Communications.
 
A native of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a B.A. in Biology, Henderson studied at the Interdenominational Theological Center, the Gammon Seminary in Atlanta, where in 1986, he earned the Master of Divinity degree.