Congregants at the First Baptist Church in Perry enjoyed a rare treat Sunday morning when concert pianist G. Richard Deal performed a variety of sacred music in the church.
The classically trained musician from San Diego, Calif., was raised in a Christian home and began piano at the age of 7, according to his biography. He took a Bachelor of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from the Sherwood Conservatory of Music.
Deal also received the Advanced Studies Diploma from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. He has played in international piano competitions, including the prestigious Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow, and has performed and ministered in Europe, Asia and North and South America.
First Baptist Church Pastor Chris Tjapkes said recent changes in the styles of Christian music “have often been a problem for traditional-minded Christians. It has been a divisive issue in many churches.”
Tjapkes said he was confident congregants would “hear a lot of of traditional music played incredibly well this morning,” and his confidence was not misplaced.
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