"The Renaissance Tour," Mark Schultz deliver message in song

Personable, engaging and fun is how musician Mark Schultz describes his new show, "The Renaissance Tour," which is scheduled to make a stop April 6 in Jackson.

Schultz, a contemporary Christian artist, will be performing at the New McKendree United Methodist Church South Campus Celebration Center along with special guests Jason Gray and David Klinkenberg.

Schultz said the trio will perform music for all interests and ages and is a family-oriented concert. Each artist will have separate sets but will also join together for certain performances. Audiences can expect to hear performances by Schultz from his new instrumental album, "Renaissance."

"It's not every day that there are events that the whole family can go to, and this is certainly one of them," he said.

The message through their music and the tour, Schultz said, is to show the realness of God in everyday life. Schultz, Gray and Klinkenberg are able to share this message with audiences through the storytelling in their work. Their songs tell different stories based on real life situations. Schultz said storytelling and engagement with the audience between songs is also a key factor with this tour.

David Klinkenberg

"I think people come out having a sense that life is a lot bigger and has a lot more meaning than themselves," he said. "People laugh harder than they ever thought they would, and they're filled with a lot more hope."

Greg Franklin, concert coordinator and member of New McKendree, has seen Schultz in concert several times, and became interested in booking Schultz for his spring tour after discovering he was looking to perform for smaller venues.

"He is a good performer," Franklin said. "The type of music he does he kind of tells stories about situations that normal people have.

"I think people can relate to them knowing there are other people with similar problems. It could make your situation not seem as bad as it could be."

Franklin said the church is aiming for a communitywide setting and wants people of all ages to feel welcome.

"The songs that they sing and do have a good message, and it would be a good time to take your family out for a nice evening," he said.

Schultz said he welcomes all denominations to the concert, even those who may not be Christian. He said at past concerts, people have brought friends who are not Christians or have left their church thinking they would not return and after attending the concert, they have given the church a second look.

"It's really a home run for me," Schultz said. "So much of life is set up to make us feel like we're in control. It gives you a glimpse of what life is like when God is in control and we relinquish that control."

Schultz said audiences can expect to have an array of emotions while experiencing "The Renaissance Tour."

"I think people will be moved emotionally because the music is beautiful," he said. "Also, everyone is extremely funny. It has all the emotions in it that are so great."

The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. April 6. Tickets are $20 per person or $15 per person for a group of 10 people or more and may be ordered online at newmckendree.org or purchased at Gospeland in the West Park Mall.

The concert is sponsored by New McKendree, and all proceeds will go toward the church's Music Ministry for future concert events.