Friday Family - My Dad and The New Way Singers

Way back in the summer of 1972, a little Christian college in Nebraska launched a summer choir program for high school kids called The New Way Singers. My dad was the music director who dreamed up that program for that small school, Nebraska Christian College, and I was one of the high school students who participated in that first group.

Years later, when the program grew to three choirs, my dad directed a choir, my brother, Joel, directed another, and I directed a third.  We all took our choirs on ten-day tours heading out in different directions across the country. Then, on the last last day of the tours, we would converge for one final concert on the NCC campus.

This year, 2012, marks the 40th anniversary of the New Way Singers, so Nebraska Christian College featured the program in it's 2012 Spring Newsletter. There are a number of photos in the newsletter, and a sharp-eyed detective might be able to identify the high school versions of Dave and Cheri Burkum. My dad wrote a nice little column for the newsletter, sharing some of his reflections and remembrances about New Way Singers. I've included it below.

You can download and view the entire newsletter HERE.

The summer of 1972 marked the beginning of the New Way Singers. The first group of high school sophomores, juniors and seniors consisted of eleven girls and fourteen boys from Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota. During the course of the short rehearsal week they became an outstanding performing group. But, more importantly, they developed a wonderful bond of Christian friendship which lasted and strengthened their personal witness for Christ when they returned to their homes. They had a sign made during the tour which we displayed on the bus. I think it set the tone for all the NWS groups in all the years since. The sign read, “NEW WAY SINGERS 1972 AND FOREVER.”

In those early years the number of singers increased, until with more than 120 students participating, we divided them into three groups (even four one year). They came from many states and even Puerto Rico and Sweden. One of the most memorable tours was the last year we had one large group in 1976. Our bus broke down in Viroqua, WI and I called the Antelope Hills church at Canby, MN to tell them that since it took all day to repair it, we would not be able to get there until at least 10pm or later so we would have to cancel our concert with them. But since several kids from their congregation and that area of Minnesota were in the group, the Canby church told me they still wanted us to come. So we did and were amazed to find a full parking lot and waiting congregation when we arrived. The folks had gone ahead with their fellowship supper, gone home and done their chores and returned for the concert which we began at about 11pm! Then they took the kids home and fed them afterwards. That event made the front page of the local newspaper and made an unforgettable memory for the NWS history.

Hundreds of young people have made decisions to attend NCC or other sister Bible colleges during their NWS experience. That had been my intent and dream when we started the New Way program. And many couples who later married and have been serving together in Christian ministry for years first met during their year(s) in New Way Singers.

It is gratifying to realize that after 40 years God is still using this program to bless and challenge young men and women to serve the Lord in the “NOW AND FOREVER!”

~ Lowell Burkum, former NCC professor an
founding director of the New Way Singers program