"Walking in the spirit of our youth, while reacting in the wisdom of our years"

This is a motto God has given to the Young at Heart choir as we go from place to place singing God's praises and sharing His love through music and fellowship with people of all ages.

The Young at Heart choir is made up of senior adults from the age of 55 to whenever God takes us home to heaven.  Our average age the last time we checked was 72, and we have grown to a membership of around 108, This count includes our support team that travels with us.  Check our members page for the latest count.

We began this unique ministry in 1988 as a senior adult choir under the sponsorship of a local church.  Our increasing ministry outside that denomination attracted other seniors who wanted to become a part of us.  The Lord began to change circumstances and open new doors that lead us more into our community and other fields of service.  With much prayer and council, we decided to become a ministry of Bible-believing Christians.  Now the Lord has made it possible for us to go to all of God’s people without denominational barriers.  Now, there are seventeen denominations represented in our choir.  In so doing, the Lord truly broke down barriers allowing us not only to be a blessing to people outside of the choir, but inside the hearts of our choir members, as well.

The Young at Heart Choir not only appeals to the older generation, but we have it on good authority that young people have been blessed by our music, testimonies, humor and warmth.  Everyone enjoys the “good ‘ol gospel” music we sing – from seniors who have told us we have stirred long-forgotten memories from their childhood, and youth who have received a taste of the music that brought many of us to a salvation experience with Jesus Christ.

We have had the opportunity to sing in many special churches throughout the United States, and in our travels, we have seen both oceans.  Every place we have been allowed the privilege of singing has been special in some way.  We hope you will be able to hear us!  We are confident God will have a blessing in it for you!  The Lord has given this group a special ministry, and it shows in our faces as we sing and interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Let us share it with you!

REMEMBER:  “You’re never too old to sing for the Lord!”

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Our Leaders

Connie Atkinson was born into a preacher’s home and has served in churches as music director for many years.  She started in her late teens working with a teen choir and worked her way up to adult choirs.  In 1987, Connie conceived her dream of starting a choir for senior adults while coming home from a trip to "Church on the Way" in Van Nuys, California, where her father, Dr. Vincent R. Bird was serving on staff with Jack Hayford as the "Pastor to the Pastors".  Both Connie’s father and mother were involved as leaders of a senior adult Bible class.  Her dad was the teacher and her mom would lead the singing and worship time.   A senior adult choir was singing there under the direction of Naomi Beard, and Connie begin to get an idea – and burden - for the 800 senior adults in the church she was working for at that time.  Back home, she presented the idea to the music director about the possibility of him starting a senior adult choir.  He said, “When do you want to start?"  It was a dream come true.

Connie’s love and enthusiasm for seniors has come from God.  Her respect for seniors came from her parents as they influenced her life in how to love and appreciate the wisdom and gifts senior adults have to share.  Connie does not believe you ever retire from serving God!  The motto of our choir, “Walking in the spirit of our youth, while reacting in the wisdom of our years" was given to her when she began this new ministry. She dearly loves her choir, and it shows as she inspires and encourages them to keep working and serving our Lord.  As one doctor said to her, "You are helping these people live 10 to 15 years longer by giving them a challenge to keep serving in this ministry."

Connie and her husband, Paul, do whatever it takes to keep this ministry going, and will until the Lord says STOP.  They have a testimony that will also thrill your hearts.  Connie loves to share this miracle and many more exciting testimonies as to what God has done and is still doing in their lives.

Royce Anderson, choir president, is a retired geologist.  “Rusty” has been president from the beginning and his organizational skills and common sense have made him indispensable as we have planned activities and trips around the country.  He is a consummate leader, and we would probably follow him blindly anywhere.  Plus no one else in the choir can hit the high notes quite like Rusty.

Carol Wright, our bass player is one of our members who can sing tenor but has proven to be a stabling source we so enjoy.  Carol and his wife, Barb, have been with the choir 9 years and their enthusiasm and joy for serving the Lord is a gift to us all.

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