POWERGRAMS

9 Although they hail from different backgrounds and have a variety of jobs, Ona Medlock and her six best friends share an unbreakable bond: a love of God and a passion for music. It's that connection that has turned the friends into the upbeat gospel group Edify. Medlock, Montgomery customer service representative, sings lead and tenor in the group, which first blended their voices three years ago. The friends were called on to form a female praise team to lead the singing at a local women's conference, "Daughters of the Promise." With their success that night, they decided to form their own gospel group. "We call our group Edify because we want to make it our business to have respect for one another," said Medlock, who met the other members years ago while singing in the choir at New Life Church in Montgomery. "We're here to edify each other as sisters and not tear each other down. We want to show the love of God, do it together and have fun." Since then, the group has performed often at churches in Montgomery, Shorter and Tuskegee. "When singing gospel, anything can happen, whether it's having no microphones or sound system, or there are not enough instruments," said Medlock. "We have to adjust, no matter what comes our way. When we take an engagement, we bring it before the Lord, and then, we do whatever we need to do to make it happen." Medlock began singing in the church choir when she was a high school student. Now with a 7-year-old daughter to raise, she is focusing her musical energy on singing with Edify. The group generally performs once a month and is featured on YouTube and Facebook. Medlock said singing has become "second nature" over the years. "Music brings me joy," Medlock said. "To hear people say, 'I was blessed when I heard you sing,' makes it worth it." Medlock is among many Alabama Power employees who are "making music" in the choir or praise team at their church. Others take a leadership role in a music ministry, conducting the choir, singing solos or playing musical instruments in a praise band. Here's a look at a few of these musical worship leaders. Setting the Sunday scene Every Sunday morning finds Auburn Field Service Representative Adam Spates with guitar in hand, encouraging young adults at First Baptist of Dadeville to raise their voices in song. Spates leads the singing, along with his wife, Charli, who adds piano accompaniment. The music sets the mood for the group's Bible study class before the main worship service. "Because we're playing in more of an intimate setting, it brings people closer together as they worship God," said Spates, who prefers to play the acoustic guitar. "We use an acoustic sound because it boils the music down to its simplest form, and lets people focus on what they are singing and why they are singing it." Spates plays, sings in Honduras. Medlock, far left, and fellow members of Edify. APSO PROFILES Music for the Masses BY CARLA DAVIS EMPLOYEES DEDICATE TIME, TALENTS TO CONGREGATIONS Edify performs across the state.

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