News Release
World Renewal International Debuts S.O.S.
PO Box 399 Greenfield, IN 46140
World Renewal International Debuts S.O.S.
PO Box 399 Greenfield, IN 46140
Bookings 317-513-9042
They all attended the Tangier School, then Turkey Run High School. As boys they all had attended VBS at the little country church north of Rockville, IN. However, the paths they chose in life were quite different. Steve and Mike Cruse along with Steve Lindley formed the Cruse Brothers Band. This would include playing not only festivals and concert events but also venues far from the values their Sunday School teaching mothers had raised them to hold. Doug Newnum, however stayed with the church music singing and playing keyboards for several local and regional southern gospel groups and churches.
In the late 80’s and early 90’s Doug and Steve Lindley began working and traveling with World Renewal International President and Evangelist Gary Wright. Soon they were traveling throughout the USA and other countries with music and songs they composed and performed. World Renewal’s ministry emphasized challenging men to be quality leaders in their homes and communities. Their ministry included churches, schools, colleges, festivals and community and multi-church sponsored events that invited whole families to live the values taught by Jesus Christ and scripture.
Along the way, Doug and Steve remembered the Cruse brothers, their friends from childhood and school. They prayed and longed for them to experience the changed lives in Jesus Christ they saw week after week as they traveled in the ministry’s band Renewal. They knew their own lives as husbands and fathers had been greatly affected and enhanced by these experiences. Doug even invited Steve Cruse to a couple of events, but it did not happen. God still had a plan.
In November 2002, Mike Cruse alone in his parents’ bedroom, under house arrest for his second DWI, knelt by his bed and invited Christ into his heart. “Fire shot into my body,” Mike often explains. Mike’s days of drug and alcohol addictions came to an end. Mike has never turned back from following Christ.
In 2005, Doug asked Mike to join the Renewal band. Mike’s high energy and expertise on the keyboards along with his testimony have propelled the ministry of the band to new sound and excellence. Doug, Steve Lindley and Mike Cruse also over the years returned to the little country church, Rush Creek Friends Church and lead the worship team when not on the road with Gary Wright. One Sunday, a couple of years ago, Steve Cruse walked through the door of that church. He and his wife renewed their commitment to the Christ of their youth. Soon he joined the worship team and the Renewal band. Steve’s clear vocals along with multiple stringed instruments have added a powerful dynamic to the group.
Now the band debuts a new recording album in 2011 under a new name S.O.S. or Source of Strength under World Renewal International’s partnership in ministry. This new album of songs, mostly written by Doug Newnum, is comprised of the music composed over the last ten to fifteen years of ministry. The unusual styles mixture of this high energy band brings joy, tears and stirs the passion of Christ in the hearts of listeners. Gary Jones will continue as a member of the band along with Gary Wright.
Doug Newnum says that he remembers "when I prayed with my little boys before they went to sleep that the Cruse brothers would someday know Christ. Now they are all part of our church and ministry band! My boys are now all adults and were there that Sunday morning we played together for the first time. It is really something special!” said a smiling, teary-eyed Doug Newnum.
They all attended the Tangier School, then Turkey Run High School. As boys they all had attended VBS at the little country church north of Rockville, IN. However, the paths they chose in life were quite different. Steve and Mike Cruse along with Steve Lindley formed the Cruse Brothers Band. This would include playing not only festivals and concert events but also venues far from the values their Sunday School teaching mothers had raised them to hold. Doug Newnum, however stayed with the church music singing and playing keyboards for several local and regional southern gospel groups and churches.
In the late 80’s and early 90’s Doug and Steve Lindley began working and traveling with World Renewal International President and Evangelist Gary Wright. Soon they were traveling throughout the USA and other countries with music and songs they composed and performed. World Renewal’s ministry emphasized challenging men to be quality leaders in their homes and communities. Their ministry included churches, schools, colleges, festivals and community and multi-church sponsored events that invited whole families to live the values taught by Jesus Christ and scripture.
Along the way, Doug and Steve remembered the Cruse brothers, their friends from childhood and school. They prayed and longed for them to experience the changed lives in Jesus Christ they saw week after week as they traveled in the ministry’s band Renewal. They knew their own lives as husbands and fathers had been greatly affected and enhanced by these experiences. Doug even invited Steve Cruse to a couple of events, but it did not happen. God still had a plan.
In November 2002, Mike Cruse alone in his parents’ bedroom, under house arrest for his second DWI, knelt by his bed and invited Christ into his heart. “Fire shot into my body,” Mike often explains. Mike’s days of drug and alcohol addictions came to an end. Mike has never turned back from following Christ.
In 2005, Doug asked Mike to join the Renewal band. Mike’s high energy and expertise on the keyboards along with his testimony have propelled the ministry of the band to new sound and excellence. Doug, Steve Lindley and Mike Cruse also over the years returned to the little country church, Rush Creek Friends Church and lead the worship team when not on the road with Gary Wright. One Sunday, a couple of years ago, Steve Cruse walked through the door of that church. He and his wife renewed their commitment to the Christ of their youth. Soon he joined the worship team and the Renewal band. Steve’s clear vocals along with multiple stringed instruments have added a powerful dynamic to the group.
Now the band debuts a new recording album in 2011 under a new name S.O.S. or Source of Strength under World Renewal International’s partnership in ministry. This new album of songs, mostly written by Doug Newnum, is comprised of the music composed over the last ten to fifteen years of ministry. The unusual styles mixture of this high energy band brings joy, tears and stirs the passion of Christ in the hearts of listeners. Gary Jones will continue as a member of the band along with Gary Wright.
Doug Newnum says that he remembers "when I prayed with my little boys before they went to sleep that the Cruse brothers would someday know Christ. Now they are all part of our church and ministry band! My boys are now all adults and were there that Sunday morning we played together for the first time. It is really something special!” said a smiling, teary-eyed Doug Newnum.
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