Hurley 'Singspiration' filled with music, fellowship

HURLEY — Havenwood Baptist Church sponsored a ‘Singspiration’ Sunday evening at the Hurley School auditorium, with Vic Eliason from VCY America. Eighty-eight people brought their voices to sing and share fellowship. Songs included old favorites, starting out with “Jesus Loves Me.”

Eliason said that VCY America started its first radio station in Milwaukee in 1961. Today they have 95 radio stations in 40 states, and are heard in 44 countries over the internet. They also have three television stations in Wisconsin; in Marion, Wittenberg, and Milwaukee. The programming is nondenominational and supported by listeners and viewers, said Eliason.

Eliason got involved in VCY America in 1959, when it was known as ‘Youth for Christ.’ Today, ‘VCY’ stands for Voice of Christian Youth.

Telethons are a big support to their work, and they host three per year, said Eliason. “Our daily light bill is $1355.”

Locally, Willy Marks and Marvin Marks were big supporters of VCY America, with a tower behind the Marks Law firm broadcasting, Eliason said. “Willy Marks was the prime mover for us to buy WEGZ,” Eliason added. Both Marks have since passed away.

Havenwood Baptist Church has been serving Hurley since 2004, lead by Pastor Steve Newman.