The BIG Picture All-State Choir on the road again

Most of the people waiting to hear IBSA’s All-State Youth Choir on their annual summer tour knew they were coming But for some diners in fast food restaurants between Illinois and Oklahoma, a concert from the 43-voice choir was unexpected

The “flash mob” performances at Chick-Fil-A and McDonald’s, where the choir broke into song unexpectedly, were opportunities for the young musicians to sing for an audience they wouldn’t encounter otherwise

“Every year when I plan the trip, I pray about opportunities to share with a nonchurched crowd,” said Steve Hamrick, IBSA’s director of worship and music ministries Along with several churches in Illinois and Oklahoma, the choir also performed at a retirement center, a theme park, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial, where park rangers and visitors were moved by their impromptu concert, Hamrick said

The students also engaged in handson mission projects in Oklahoma and in Chicagoland, where they joined IBSA’s ChicaGO Week

“‘Music evangelism’ is mentioned several times throughout the Bible,” Hamrick said “Psalm 96:3 says ‘Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples ”

On tour, “That was what we did ”