Musicians bring message of hope to Nevada through performance

Friday, July 17, 2009
Leah Martenson and Beth Champion Mason will perform at First Baptist Church in Nevada at 6:15, July 29. --submitted photo

The "Road to Recovery Tour" will be taking the stage at First Baptist Church in Nevada on July 29, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. The tour features Ohio native Leah Martensen and Virginia native Beth Champion Mason, two female singer-songwriters who travel the country using music to minister hope and healing, visiting mostly church congregations and recovery groups.

Martensen and Mason share a similar style of music, both using contemporary pop and rock music to communicate their personal experiences along with timeless truths from Scripture. Martenson and Mason also share backgrounds that give them insight into what it's like to be in need of recovery. They share common roots of battling against substance abuse and emotional dysfunction; Martensen, from spending her childhood in a home filled with the pain of that abuse, and Mason, from battling addictions herself. Both found healing and freedom through God. These experiences have prepared them to share with hearts of compassion and understanding on the "Road To Recovery" tour.

"We like to say that everybody is in recovery from something; it's just that some people are still in denial about it," Mason says with a smile.

Mason has been singing professionally for longer than 10 years. She has sold more than 3,000 copies of her two CDs, "All I Have" and "Postcards," and averages more than 100 dates a year, performing throughout the country at concerts, festival events, leading worship, coffeehouse concerts, and numerous other events. Her testimony and music have been featured on the international TV program "The 700 Club," and she recently won "Best Pop Artist" in the 2008 King Cat Christian Music Awards. Mason also is an artist associate with The Bible League.

Martensen has toured throughout the United States and internationally for longer than 15 years, serving many venues along the way. Her travels have led her to South Africa, Russia, Finland, Denmark, Israel and Taiwan. She has worked with artists like Larnell Harris, Twilia Paris, Sandi Patti, and the Gaithers, and Divine Magazine listed her as a "Mover and Shaker in Christian Music" for 2008. She was also first place winner in the I.B.B.F. Vocal Competition. Leah has released four CDs, including her latest, "Still," and will be sharing songs from these albums on the tour. She is an artist associate with World Vision International.

Both Martensen and Mason have received radio play on many stations throughout the United States as well as numerous Web-based radio programs. They are also both members of Christian D.I.V.As, an internet organization that connects and helps Christian female artists.

The Celebrate Recovery Group at First Baptist Church is sponsoring the event. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery group that helps people heal and recover from their hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

For additional information on this event contact Steve Russ, ministry leader, Celebrate Recovery Group, at (417) 667-6036. First Baptist Church is located at 301 E. Highland Avenue in Nevada, Mo.

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