Portland (Ore.) Adventist Academy (PAA) hosted Committed, an Adventist a capella singing group and winners of season two of NBC's The Sing Off, in a concert for more than 800 teachers and students from nine Adventist schools.
Adventist Health sponsored the free concert not only at PAA but also for a second audience of 3,200 staff and students at nearby David Douglas High School. "It was important to us to have these young men share their values and convictions with our youth," says Judy Leach, Adventist Health marketing director.
The following evening, Adventist Health sponsored a third free concert for a standing-room-only crowd at the nearby New Hope Community Church (Happy Valley, Ore.). "We do it simply as a way of thanking our community for putting their faith in us for more than 130 years," says Leach.
The six young men who make up Committed attended Forest Lake Academy (Apopka, Fla.) and later Oakwood University (Huntsville, Ala.). They say their name reflects everything about them. Their talents have given them a national platform to share God's love with millions.
At the PAA concert, Committed shared with students that their Sabbath convictions nearly halted their TV debut. But the producers of The Sing Off were so compelled by their music, they changed recording times and performances to accommodate the group's religious beliefs.
Shawn Stockman, former Boyz II Men member and judge on The Sing Off, said to Committed, "You guys give a feeling to me and to everybody else that just stirs the soul."
"These boys were made to sing," added Nicole Scherzinger, pop singer and judge on the show. "They've got a gift. They connect with you and you are moved and you're touched in some way."
Thousands of Christians who prayed for Committed and followed the group's rise on television knew that it was God touching Scherzinger's heart.
After Committed's final performance on The Sing Off, a tearful Scherzinger said, "What makes you all so special is that you have a specific message, one that is of a deep love and light. And I think that the world is craving that right now. Thank you."
Committed is on tour promoting their debut and self-titled album. Their record label, Sony Epic, continues to honor their Sabbath convictions.
