Remembering Rich Mullins

18 years ago today, we lost a Christian music icon.

Rich Mullins was one of the best examples of Jesus I think I've ever seen, not to mention a very talented writer and musician.

Rich and Mitch McVicker, one of the members of his band, were traveling on I-39 heading towards Wichita State to perform a benefit concert when his Jeep flipped over. Neither he or McVicker were wearing a seat belt, and both were thrown from the vehicle when it overturned. Rich was inadvertently struck by a semi tractor trailer whose driver tried to avoid the overturned Jeep, and sadly, ran Rich over, killing him instantly. He was too injured after being thrown from the Jeep to move when he was hit by the oncoming truck. Thankfully, McVicker survived.

He left behind a stunned group of fans, family and friends, all over the world. His music will never be forgotten. It was such a tragic loss for me, I think I cried for a week or so. I loved his music so much, as did so many others, and we will never forget him. As a pianist myself, I was always struck with his ability to play so many different stringed instruments. The guitar, the piano and the lap dulcimer and how he could play different elements and different tracks for the same songs, and once put together, they sounded like a symphony of praise! 

Today, it dawned on me that those of you who were born in 1997, who are 18 or a bit younger, may not even know who he was. If you became a Christian and missed him altogether, this is for you. It's also for your parents and Christians everywhere, who truly appreciated his music, and how talented he truly was. 

Not a lot of the kids today recognize that he is the one who wrote the songs "Sing Your Praises to the Lord," which was originally performed by Amy Grant, "Awesome God," and "Sometimes by Step," which are two of the first "praise worship" songs ever written. I believe that his music, changed the style of music in our churches and it has continued to influence many Christian music singers, groups, writers, etc. It's just more "up" than normal "hymns," which don't get me wrong, I still love them? But I truly do enjoy praise worship songs better. It was a new style, for a bored to tears younger group of worshippers in today's churches. It's just more 'up" and personally, it helps me to communicate with the Lord on a much higher level. I know some people prefer hymns, and both churches I have attended on a regular basis as an adult, have two services to accommodate both styles of music and those who love them.  

If you would like to learn more about Rich, who truly did "walk the walk," go and watch "Ragamuffin," his life story on Netflix. You'll truly enjoy it.

Rich only took a yearly salary of what a "regular everyday guy" made, which at that point was about $25K per year. He let the elders of his church donate the rest of what he made to charity. 

Rich truly lived the best example of Jesus I think I've ever seen in my entire life. It's just one of the reasons he is remembered so fondly all over the world.  

We love you and miss you Rich! Even 18 long years later, which to you, must seem like only about 5 minutes? Tell the Big Man upstairs that we're looking forward to his Son's soon return to redeem the Bride, His Church, with great expectation!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend!

Enjoy!

"Creed"

"The Color Green."

"You're on the Verge of a Miracle."

"Sometimes by Step."

"Screen Door."

"I'll Carry On."

"Boy Like Me/ManLike You."


"Sing Your Praises to the Lord."
LIVE!


"Hold Me Jesus."


And last, but certainly not least, the most famous song he ever wrote:

"Awesome God."