The Rivers of Life Clergy Band presented Bishop Jonathan Keaton a $2,647 check for Africa University’s Making Dreams Possible campaign prior to the band leading worship at Annual Conference.
The band had previously donated $3,000 to the Imagine No Malaria campaign. The funds were raised from the sale of the band’s CD, Zealous Love.
Members of the band are all United Methodist clergy. Dan Perry, lead singer and acoustic guitar, serves at Tremont UMC. Willie Deuel, lead guitar and vocals, serves at Altamont UMC. Tim Pate, drummer, serves at Alton Main Street UMC. Joe Scheets, bass guitar, serves at Effingham Centenary UMC, and Annelle Ruemmler, keyboard, serves at Payson UMC.
The band had its beginnings on a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico in 2003. Perry and Ruemmler met while serving on that mission and discovered they shared a mutual love of music. When he was asked to lead worship for a gathering of clergy later that year, Perry asked Ruemmler to play keyboard. They were later joined by Deuel, Pate and Scheets to form a band to lead worship for the 2006 Annual Conference. The friends had so much fun playing together they have continued to lead services and play concerts throughout the state.
Band members meet once a month at the centrally located Sugar Creek UMC or the Springfield First UMC to rehearse.
The Rivers of Life Clergy Band asks for a $10 donation plus $3 shipping and handling for their CD titled, Zealous Love, and may be purchased by contacting Dan Perry at dperry416@gmail.com or calling him at 618-830-5589.
Photo courtesy of Dan Perry