Sandi Patty concert helps kickstart goal for CU mission trip

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40-time Dove award winner Sandi Patty rocked out with the CU Chorale on Monday night (Campbellsville University Photo by Richard RoBards)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (10/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Contemporary Gospel vocalist Sandi Patty rocked Ransdell Chapel on Monday evening, Oct. 21. The 40-time Dove award winner held a benefit concert in front of roughly 500 people to raise funds for Campbellsville University's athletics mission trip for the summer of 2016.

In addition to her 40 Dove awards, Patty has won five Grammy awards, four Billboard Music awards, holds three platinum records, five gold records and has sold 11 million units throughout her career.

With cooperation from Dr. Tony Cuhna, dean of Campbellsville University's School of Music, and the Campbellsville University Chorale, Patty held the concert with only a piano and a choir. Also in performance were her pianist, daughter-in-law and son.

Throughout the evening Patty made numerous remarks on how well the Chorale did and how it is much easier and fun to perform when the choir is singing the correct melodies.

"I sang in the chorale in college and so did my son and daughter-in-law, who were with me on stage," said Patty. "We just love that there is great discipline and the love for music in a college chorale. For them to take the time to learn the music and be part of the evening was amazing. They were always on key and the tenors really reached out tonight to make the performance that much better."

The Chorale and vocalist were able to practice a little before the concert but once the show started, the love for Jesus Christ filled Ransdell Chapel and the Spirit started to move.

"We practiced only for about 20 minutes before the concert but the one song they really rocked out to is the one we didn't practice," said Patty.

The athletics department's mantra over the years has become "More Than a Game." Under the leadership of Rusty Hollingsworth, director of athletics, and Jim Hardy, assistant director of athletics, Patty was invited onto campus and the logistics happened to work.

"I love college campuses and it worked in our schedule," said Patty. "The university, and especially the athletic department here at Campbellsville, is on a mission to make a difference in the world but also build servant leaders for Christ. So it was an easy yes."

"We are so fortunate and blessed to have been able to get a singer of the caliber of Sandi Patty here at CU for a concert as part of our 'More Than a Game' emphasis and specifically to help raise funds for our mission trip," said Hardy, who was also the coordinator for the concert. "The evening was a great success for us as a jump start for funds to help us with the athletic department mission trip to the Dominican Republic in July of 2016. More importantly the night was a great night of worship and fun."

Another highlight of the night was Patty and Hollingsworth taking a selfie on stage. It can be seen on Sandi Patty's Twitter page - @SandiPattyP.

"What a wonderful evening we had with Sandi Patty as our special guest," said Hollingsworth. "The time we shared was a blessing to so many as Sandi, her family and the CU choir led us in worship. Our athletic department is grateful for the support of all those in attendance, and to all those who gave to help make our mission trip to the Dominican Republic become closer to a reality. I also want to say thank you to the coaches and department staff that helped in so many areas to make sure things ran smoothly."

Even though the concert is over and Patty's band is performing in Pigeon Forge this weekend, the fund raising efforts are not finished yet.

"We still have to raise more funds for this trip and anyone interested in partnering with us to see the Gospel spread to the folks in the Dominican Republic, as well as those here at home, please feel free to contact me at 270-789-8184," said Hardy.

Campbellsville University was able to send 32 athletics staff, coaches and boosters to Costa Rica in the summer of 2014 for the first athletics department wide mission trip. To read more about the lives that were changed on the trip, follow this link - http://www.campbellsvilletigers.com/f/2014_Costa_Rica/Coaches_to_Costa_Rica.php