Boiling Springs, N.C.- Singer, songwriter and worship leader Carl Cartee will team up with Gardner-Webb University, WGWG and the Shelby Star to present a Christmas concert on Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the University’s Dover Theatre. This event is a benefit concert for the Salvation Army. The admission to the concert is a new toy for a child and a non-perishable food item per person. Limited seating is available; the doors open at 6:15 p.m.
“I never would have imagined it would have gone on for this long,” said Cartee. “I’m so excited about being able to help the Salvation Army this year for the 11th year in a row.”
“I especially feel the need for the concert this year, more than any other in the concerts’ history. A slow economy and higher unemployment often tend to tip difficult circumstances over the edge. I know there will be a lot of people in our community who really need assistance this year and I think the concert will not only lift spirits, but make a real impact in people's lives,” said Cartee. “I hope everybody who is able to come will give over and above the regular admission of a non-perishable food item or a new toy. I hope people give out of their hearts, even if it hurts. There has never been a time when someone poured out a generous gift for someone else, when God has not blessed it and multiplied it.”
Cartee was a sacred music major at Gardner-Webb University and released his self-titled debut album in 1995. He recently released his newest album Here I Go, in which many of the songs were drawn from his own wrestling with his faith amid difficult circumstances. “Worship music that doesn’t produce both spiritual and tangible fruit is one dimensional, and that can’t be. If we don’t say things and produce music and think about things that both exalt God and inspire action in people’s lives, I don’t know of how much value it is, because I think the Gospel is both,” said Cartee.
He has been in worship ministry for over 13 years. He serves as an Artist in Residence at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn., and travels extensively leading worship for conferences and ministry events all over the world. Writing songs, leading the church in worship and equipping other leaders are the foundational components of his passionate call to build the kingdom.
Cartee and his wife Heather are the hosts of the Inspire Worship Conference, an event that trains and equips emerging worship leaders from around the nation. Cartee also works as a staff writer for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and greatworshipsongs.com.
Over the past ten years, the benefit concerts for the Salvation Army that Cartee has performed have raised over 14,031 pounds of food and 1,414 toys for children. For more information please call 704-406-4631.
“The goal of the Salvation Army is to help those who need assistance in our community at Christmas and throughout the year. I urge you to support the Carl Cartee concert at Gardner-Webb on December 6, 2008 and other seasonal opportunities. We need you to help us help others,” said Jonny Presson, advisory board member for the Salvation Army.
Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is home to over 4,000 students from 39 states and 21 foreign countries. Gardner-Webb seeks a higher ground in higher education – one that embraces faith and intellectual freedom, balances conviction with compassion, and inspires in students a love of learning and leadership.
