Way Maker - Christ Church Choir Nashville

When I first stumbled across this Christ Church Choir video in 1992 it encouraged me greatly and remains one of the most energetic choir performances I've ever witnessed. Recorded Live at Opry Land in Nashville. Soloist, Joy Gardner. Song by Percy Bady, arranged by Joy Gardner, Lindell Cooley, and Landy Gardner.

[@anj3595]

Experiencing Joy, Landy and choir at Christ Church Nashville will always be a blessing in my life, late 80’s, early 90’s. Unforgettable.

[@x5cat1]

Absolutely correct! It WAS unforgettable and something I will cherish forever!

[@bluekatfan8558]

Love this song! You can tell they feel what they are singing and playing… The piano player stood up at one point…Jesus is definitely a Waymaker!

[@tobylou8]

This is the real Waymaker!!!!

[@x5cat1]

Went to Christ Church for 25 plus years and never thought we would leave the church. Loved Landy and Joy and their kids as well. It broke our hearts when Landy left because the music at Christ Church was known world wide! It saddens me now to see the choir now. We left Christ Church after Landy and Joy left. We enjoyed listening to him direct the choir at Grace Church Nashville. He is definitely rejoicing in Heaven now!!

[@allenhicks1062]

The choir is not what it used to be Landy had that church alive with music did you know that Johnathan pierce is no longer alive as well we lost him about 3 years after Landy (he was the young man who sang soon and very soon with Dan Scott)in this concert the founder LH Hardwick of christ church nashville passed away as well in February of 22 the church as really gone down hill

[@allenhicks1062]

The choir is not what it used to be Landy had that church alive with music did you know that Johnathan pierce is no longer alive as well we lost him about 3 years after Landy (he was the young man who sang soon and very soon with Dan Scott)in this concert the founder LH Hardwick of christ church nashville passed away as well in February of 22 the church as really gone down hill

[@x5cat1]

@@allenhicks1062 Yes I am quite aware it isn't what it used to be. I was there at Landy's funeral. I was so sad when Johnathon Pierce died. I was there at Pastor Hardwick's funeral as well. I find it sad what's happened to Christ Church but especially the choir. My husband and I left the church after Landy left because he really made the choir. Now if they have 35 in the choir they are doing good it seems. For us old timers who were there in the early 90's the choir and the kids program was top notch in this area! We raised our daughter there and I find it so sad to see it go downhill.

[@allenhicks1062]

@@x5cat1 I second that I give it maybe 5 years if that and the church will be disband in my opinion

[@x5cat1]

@@allenhicks1062 Oddly enough my husband and I have said the same thing just this week. The building is HUGE and to heat and air condition it alone is very expensive! It just makes me sad when I think about the wonderful Christmas Programs 3 nights a week and Easter Services 2 times a day that we used to have. Now see what it became just makes me so sad! I LOVED Christ Church with a passion and to see what it has become now just breaks my heart!

[@davidhanesworth8027]

I sang in that choir from 1989 to into the middle of 2005. There was such a spirit in it members that they lived what they sang.

[@garrymalone5060]

Hey David!!! What a blessing those times were!!! We were in THE choir for 30 years.

[@dutchyboy66]

WE Sang This Song "WAY MAKER" Back in the '90's @ CALVARY TEMPLE in Irving, Texas. 75060. The Senior Pastor was The Late Rev. J. Don George. He went HOME to be w/JESUS in 2020. ✝️ R.I.P. Pastor J. Don George

[@kathierouse5306]

When I lived in West Palm Beach FL, I belonged to the First Baptist Church and was in the choir. One year, on a Saturday night, we did a gospel sing along using Joy and Landy Gardner songs. This is the one song I remember well. I couldn't forget it. It was in the '90s. I just found it and had to listen to it. It's still wonderful! And, yes, Jesus is still my Waymaker. I can't hear it now without tears because of what He's brought me through and continues to do so. I was sorry to learn of Landy's passing in 2017. But I know he's rejoicing in the Presence of the Waymaker! I hope to encourage people in my current church with songs like this. Thank you very much for posting this amazing video. God bless you richly!!! 😇😀👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍💖💝💞📿⛪

[@rickbondurant7356]

Our church used to do this song and the place would erupt with shouts and dancing. Even the choir couldn't stand still

[@dalstars9]

Same here. I remember one Sunday we were singing this and one of the choir members took off from the platform and ran around the entire sanctuary!

[@Sandy-jc3vv]

This song brings back such fond memories❤️❤️ Cornerstone Church of God, Lebanon Ohio

[@pressuredprepper4232]

Great Comcert.. Love the 80's Hair Dooos..

[@sharingthatruth]

Thank you for sharing these videos of this very powerful moment in Christ Church Choir history. I was around 7 years old when we attended this concert and this song will forever reign true to my spirit. My parents became members shortly after this concert. And when I turned 11 I entered into the Christ Church Youth Choir. Best times and spiritual foundation was built with Christ Church Nashville. I am now 31 and still hold these memories dear. Please post the "Lift Him Higher" Opry concert if you have it. I would love to show my daughter our Youth Choir. We sang "House of Faith", "We have come to worship Jesus" and "Joyful, Joyful". Thanks again.

[@dconnerusa]

Thanks for your comments. I am 70 now and I first saw this video for the first time on Christian TV the year it was published in 1992. We were members of a very "proper" church in Dallas, and shortly thereafter we were able to find another church with a more "expressive" style of worship! After seeing Christ Church choir there was no going back! Actually, I was in Nashville one weekend recently and can't believe that Landy Gardner is no longer at Christ Church. Is he leading worship anywhere now in the Nashville area? And, yes, I do have the "Lift Him Higher" video, and your youth choir was incredible! The rap-style music and break dancing in this program was cutting edge for it's time and is still pretty amazing. Who directed the youth choir? I'll try to post these videos too as soon as I can.

[@herbojet]

David ConnerSorry it's taken awhile to reply. My wife sang in the Choir during its hayday and was present on the videos you posted. And yes, Landy and Joy are leading the choir and worship at Grace Church Nashville. They have just started, the choir is small...but very powerful and spiritual. Google Grace Church Nashville to find out more. Bless you for posting these of classics of the Choir.

[@x5cat1]

@@dconnerusa My husband and I raised our daughter at Christ Church and was at the taping of this concert! We now attend Grace Church Nashville in Franklin, Tn where his wife Joy Gardner directs the Choir. Sadly Landy passed and went to be with our Lord October 28, 2017. His funeral was at Christ Church and the past Christ Church Choir Members as well as the current members all sang at his service. The church was packed and was standing room only. It was a true "Home Going" experience rather than a "funeral". We lost a legend in the music industry when we lost Landy! Many of us old time Christ Church members now attend Grace and are STILL enjoying this type of music at Grace! His legacy lives on! Here is a link to his funeral if you are interested. I was there and it was something that words can't express! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jV7Lonx9gM-Dp80

[@GreatComfortRecords]

@@dconnerusa David: MIGHT you have contacts in Nashville to help me get choirs to sing ALL FIVE ORIGINAL verses of my old standard hymn "Our God Reigns?" Here is a choir from India singing all verses, but there are none in the states doing it! God loves us so! kzbin.info/www/bejne/laqaq2aah9enn7c

[@Butler_Buck]

If anyone was at Mount Paran when you visited us for the first time... Nothing was fake about how strong the Holy Spirit was that morning. And when you sang 'In the presence of Jehovah' , I tell you, that was something else. He really was there.

[@JanTaylorEllis]

Love this!!!

[@dalewimer679]

Love this song and this church!

[@EagleArrow]

Is this the church choir that sang with Dolly Parton stage of 'He's Alive' ?

[@allenhicks1062]

Yes it is

[@wdtietz5736]

This song got me through the 2024 political season. He is a Waymaker!

[@J.B24]

I remember singing this song at church.

[@Nicoe0987]

My family church always use to sing this. Today I needed to hear it and couldn't find it so I started singing loud and proud in the car by myself. Well 7hrs later I finally found it. 🙌

[@annpierson8574]

Me too! I found this cd on Amazon a few months ago. It goes with me everywhere I drive....having church as I drive is awesome!

[@ronperry7429]

i really enjoyed being a part of the christ church choir .i signed myself out of the hospital to be in this concert. How do know he's a waymaker, what has he done for you?

[@annpierson8574]

This song and the others on my CD bless me each time I drive! Absolutely awesome!!! God Bless Brother and thanks for your service to our Lord!

[@annetteplett2515]

Love this version!!

[@karenmorales110]

Sang this when I was in choir at Praise Assembly of God in Springfield,MO

[@musicn0te5]

I used to attend Praise AG for a while when I attended CBC in the 90s.

[@lindawomack5515]

GLORY TO GOD!🙏🏾📖🎚🕊

[@trevorh355]

5:06 Dolly getting her praise on!

[@kelseyhoward1195]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@bmaze35640]

Is that Dolly Parton clapping along at 5:05?

[@warrior_9726]

Yup

[@pressuredprepper4232]

YEAP SHORE IS...

[@darwinapala960]

Most Definitely lol. She's a Gem

[@theinsectmanofwv]

Amen! He is!

[@darleneullah8201]

Alright now!

[@debra53758]

He's a Clay Maker too.

[@catherinerangel4001]

There is another version of this and it's a black lady singing it .

[@rogerrodriguez2206]

Jesus Son of God

[@debra53758]

What did Christ accomplish on the cross?

[@rogerswinsburg2183]

Is that a young Lindell Cooley from the Brownsville Revival on piano? I know he worked at Christ Church for a while.

[@daveb.4460]

Roger Swinsburg I don’t know, but the Brownsville “Revival” was an effing evil joke.

[@9528TERRY]

YES... that is Lindell Cooley on Piano, also if you pause the video at 6:08 that is Tony Hooper (long hair, green shirt, and khakis on) he took over for Lindell doing worship at Brownsville when Lindell left. They both started out together in Lindells dads church Calvary Family Worship Center in RedBay, Al. I was raised in this church with both Lindell and Tony

[@jevjworship]

Yess he is but It was before Brownsville Revival 1995-2003

[@barbarapendleton1807]

I love this!!!!!! Who is on the piano?

[@allenhicks1062]

Lindell Cooley

[@x5cat1]

@@allenhicks1062 It is Lindell Coolley who now is the Pastor of Grace Church Nashville in Franklin & also praise and worship leader there.

[@allenhicks1062]

@x5cat1 Lindell Cooley is paster of Grace in Franklin Tennessee, and I'm not sure who the praise and worship leader is, but I think Joy Gardner is still the choir director hope this helps

[@x5cat1]

@@allenhicks1062 Landy Gardner was the Choir Director then. He also was the Choir Director at Grace Church Nashville in Franklin until his death a few years ago. Landy and Joy were awesome! I attented Christ Church for 25 yrs or so and then went to Grace Chuch Nashville in Franklin for a few years as well. Joy is the Choir Director now at Grace Church Nashville now.

[@allenhicks1062]

@x5cat1 I'm very familiar with both churches I'm a former christ church member I was there in the beginning of the church being built in 78 or 79 left in the mid 80ies