Posted on 03/17/2007 1:22:40 PM PDT by Blogger
BOONE, NC(Singing News) - Legacy Five pianist Roger Bennett died today as a result of complications encountered though his long battle with leukemia. He was 48 years old.
Born March 10, 1959, Roger grew up in Strawberry, Arkansas. In November of 1979, Roger fulfilled his life-long dream of being a part of professional Southern Gospel music when he was invited by Glen Payne and George Younce to join the legendary Cathedral Quartet. Though he would leave the group for two years (1987-1989) to serve as the president of Journey Records, Roger was the group's pianist at the time of the quartet's retirement in 1999.
Following the retirement of the Cathedrals, Roger and fellow Cathedrals member Scott Fowler launched Legacy Five. In 2004, Roger fulfilled another dream (having his own successful quartet) when readers of Singing News voted Legacy Five as the Favorite Traditional Male Quartet.
March 17, 2007 The Ultimate Healing
"Home Free, Oh I've got a feeling, At the ultimate healing, we will be home free!"
One of Roger's favorite songs to sing, and now he knows the whole truth about it. This morning, at about 8:30 a.m., he left his battle here on earth to rejoice in Heaven for eternity.
It has, naturally, been a very hard couple of days for those of us left behind. However, I am overwhelmed by the grace God has poured out on me. I feel a multitude of emotions simultaneously: grief, heartache, and sadness, surely, but also an immeasusrable portion of comfort and peace which I can't explain any other way but God's grace.
It became evident a few days ago that the only earthly way out of this situation for Roger was going to be a miracle. By yesterday evening, it was evident that the way out for him was going to be a Heavenly miracle. I can only imagine what lies in store for him there! How must it feel to hear those words spoken by the Father: "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
In the following days and weeks, I plan to share with you all some of the "God things" that have happened these last few days.
The comments I read on this web site have been of such comfort and encouragement to me. So many of you have said that you felt that Roger's work isn't done here yet. I agree! The legacy he has left behind will go on forever, and there are several projects that he has begun that I feel called to carry out - including keeping this web site up so that I can continue to share his message with many.
Arrangements are pending at this point, but will be made public as soon as they are finalized. Preliminary plans are to have a celebration service and burial in Tennessee, and a later memorial service in his hometown of Strawberry, AR.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the prayers and love you show. The next few days will be difficult for us all, but we will make it through God's strength.
As for Roger, he has finally realized his ultimate goal, to be forever
IN HIS GRIP!
Debbie http://www.rogerbennett.typepad.com/
Looks like God is bringing the choir and musicians home first so that there will be a choir to welcome His raptured church.
Yes indeed. So many of the greats have gone the past few years. Both Anthony and Roger are now together. What an orchestra it will be!
I was thinking the same thing. Roger even looks a lot like Anthony. We're going to have a great sing-a-long when we all get to Heaven. Praising our Lord God for eternity.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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