POWERGRAMS

10 Spates and his wife make an annual trip to Honduras through the nonprofit Extreme Missionary Adventures. There, they share the Gospels and lead the music in Spanish for children and adults living in remote villages while providing humanitarian aid. Spates has led the music on mission trips in Venezuela and Argentina. Spates bought his first guitar at age 18 with the money he received from winning a nationwide Veterans of Foreign Wars patriotic essay contest and then taught himself to play. Since then, Spates has played his guitar for as few as five people and as many as 1,000. "Most people who don't play or sing probably think it would be easier to play for small groups," he said. "But large crowds are the easiest because they are more engaged with each other than with you. When you're playing for five people, there's no room for error. They are staring right at you." Spates said he "hates" to receive praise for his music and believes he is simply a "servant of the Lord." "God has given each one of us different gifts, abilities and personalities to bring his kingdom to Earth," he said. "I believe he has given me the gift of music both vocally and instrumentally. I think it would be an injustice to the creator not to use that gift for the savior of the universe." Reaching a new audience Like Spates, Trey Caton, Alexander City market specialist, plays the guitar and sings as a way of reaching youths at Grace Point Community Church in Wetumpka. During Wednesday night Bible study, he works to motivate them using contemporary Christian tunes. "It's a pretty tough job to reach these kids," said Caton. "I think they are self-conscious because the room is lit up and they are sitting next to each other. Sometimes when you do a new song, they stare a hole through you. But when you do a song they know, it can be altogether different. They start singing." Five years ago, Caton began leading the youths in singing after visiting the Bible study. When he realized they were singing along to CDs, Caton volunteered to take over, knowing that live music would improve the group's worship experience. Although he only dabbled in guitar before that time, Caton said he has always been a huge Christian music fan. In 2006, he moved to Nashville for a year where he worked at Third Coast Artists Agency, booking appearances for Christian musicians and bands. Caton hopes the teens' hearts will be softened through music. "I don't know what God might be doing through me, but it's not really my job to know," he said. "I don't necessarily feel I have anything great to offer. But I know if I make myself available, he'll use me, and that's why I do it." Playing by ear West Blocton Customer Service Representative Michael Burroughs has been playing guitar during Sunday services at Centreville Baptist Church for more than six years. About 18 months ago, Burroughs and Alabama Power Corporate Relations Specialist Mike Oakley, who plays the mandolin, guitar and harmonica, joined with four other musicians in the church to form a praise band. The group practices on Sunday mornings before the service and for an hour on Wednesday nights to fine-tune their sound. They play everything from traditional and contemporary Christian music to bluegrass and country. Burroughs has been playing the guitar for 25 years. "I play by ear. I hear something, and then I play around until I can figure it out," he said. "I just love music. Playing the guitar is part of my service to God and allows me to use my talent for his work and his glory." Covering all the bases As a minister of music at Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, Kenneth Johnson is a sort of jack of all trades. He leads the adult and youth choirs, and the praise team. While directing Caton sings to children in India.

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