Christian music group, Sanctus Real, is set to perform at this year's Winterfest, December 17-19, at Pine Cove Christian Camp in Tyler, Texas. Pine Cove has been opened since 1968 and has helped lead over 800,000 children to the Lord.
Winterfest '10
Winterfest is Pine Cove's annual winter camp experience for 2nd-12th graders. It's a great way to kick off the winter break holidays and get a taste of summer camp fun. Whether coming back or coming for the first time, Winterfest promises to be a weekend crammed full of fun, music, holiday festivity, and spiritual growth.
Five youth camps will be putting on a Winterfest weekend camp packed with fun activities, Bible studies, great counselors, all-camp games, a Sanctus Real concert, and, of course, club (worship + speaker time).Cost of the three day extravaganza runs between $145-$181 a person. However scholarships are available foe eligible participants. For more information, go to the Winterfest page on the Pinecove.com website.
Sanctus Real
Sanctus Real is currently one of the top 10 music groups on the Billboard Christian Songs Chart. The lyrics to their hit single, Lead Me, is touching the heart's of millions. The message? God and family first. Let God lead and everything else falls into place.It seems everything they put out now eventually makes its way to the top of the charts including Whatever You're Doing in 2008 and Forgiven this past Spring.
Their first big break came in 2004 with the album release, Fight The Tide. Two songs from that album, Everything About You and The Fight Song made it all the way to #1 on the Christian song charts. Rising success continued with the release of the band's third album,The Face Of Love in 2006. They toured the country that year with Needtobreathe. One single from this album, I'm Not Alright, received two GMA Dove Award nominations in 2007.
In 2008, Sanctus Real released their fourth album, We Need Each Other. It received a Grammy Award nomination. With each new album, the band refined it's sound and style and gained popularity within the genre of Christian music. They toured with Third Day in 2008 and also appeared on an episode ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. The album, We Need Each Other was a huge success. With three single releases: We Need Each Other, Turn On The Lights and Whatever You're Doing, Sanctus Real no longer had to tag along as a guest band for more popular groups.
In August 2008, Sanctus Real launched their very own two month We Need Each Other Tour through 16 states and 30 cities in the United States. Sanctus Real had arrived and were spotlighting other up and coming bands like Vota and Tenth Avenue North.
Pieces Of A Real Heart
Touring around the country for over a decade doesn't pass by without obstacles to overcome. Sanctus Real's 4th newest album, Pieces Of A Real Heart reflects those inner and outward. both emotional and mental conflicts when musicians try to balance God, family and career. The first single released from the album, Forgiven, emphasized the fact that no matter what life brings, no matter what choices are made, we are forgiven.
The second release from this album, Lead Me, has been on the Billboard Christian Songs Chart for over 35 weeks. In fact, it peaked at #1 back in September. Matt Hammitt tells the story behind this song as being one of realizing God and family must come before all things. It's easy to forget that when touring and traveling year after year.
Bowen's Heart
Early in 2010, Matt Hammitt, lead singer for Sanctus Real, and his wife Sarah found out they were expecting their third child, a boy after two girls. However, in April, ultrasound sonogram results showed the baby, Bowen, (which means fighter), has a serious and rare congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, ( HLHS). Little Bowen was born back in September and Matt and Sarah are cherishing every moment they can with him. This journey they are traveling is one that no parent wants to make.
Matt and Sarah have created several ways for fans to follow their journey through pregnancy, delivery and afterwards. There's a blog called Bowen's Heart and for moment by moment updates, the fastest way to get news is by following Matt Hammit on Twitter.
Support Pine Cove
Some of the children attending Winterfest '10 will be there on scholarship this weekend. Pine Cove offers scholarship assistance to prospective campers with financial, spiritual and emotional need. The assistance is available to both individuals and families. Pine Cove believes everyone should have the opportunity to attend camp.
Pine Cove has put out a special request. Already, for the 2011 Summer, Pine Cove has had to turn away 500 campers because of lack of funds. That's 500 children who might miss hearing the Gospel because there's not enough money to go around. Please consider donating to Pine Cove Christian Camp this Christmas and give a child the potential of receiving a gift for all eternity. For more information on how to give to Pine Cove, please visit their website.
Amy Wingfield - Amy, a freelance writer since 1999, has combined her passion for writing and for Christian music.There's always a story behind the ...
