"Five hundred inmates clapped and shouted praises to the Lord. It continued into our concert, and at times was so loud, we couldn't hear ourselves," shared Michael Naluai, director of His Voice Men's Chorus, reflecting upon one of their out-of-church experiences. "It was a life-changing experience. We went there believing that we were going to lift their spirits by sharing God's amazing love through music. Instead, their joy overflowed into our hearts, teaching us that even in adversity, joy can be found because God is there!"
Besides an occasional prison visit that turns the tables on who blessed whom, His Voice sings regularly each month at churches, senior care centers and hospitals—no matter the size, distance or faith. The concert schedule each second Sabbath of the month is grueling but strangely strengthening to the men. Surprisingly, their mission is to encourage one another, not only to inspire listeners, giving the men a special bond of Christian brotherhood that is evident when they sing.
It is not uncommon to see the men wheel in their buddies or hand over a tall stool for someone to sit on. His Voice bass Buddy Fisher, confined to a wheelchair since his teens, has a special bond with the elderly residents of senior care centers.
"I was 19 years old when I took a bullet that paralyzed me, and I spent a year recovering in a place similar to this. It brings back a lot of memories. I am blessed to be sitting here in front of you in a wheelchair and understand what many of you are going through," he has told seniors.
A longtime informal leader of the group, Don Gwinn, spent most of 2007 in the hospital after a near-fatal bout with peritonitis. Last December in Palm Springs, after many prayers by his friends and wife, Julie, Don was able to sing again with His Voice.
The 25-plus men of His Voice come from all over southern California, ordinary Adventist men with a love for singing. Their beginnings stretch back to a retreat at Pine Springs Ranch four years ago when Hawaiian musician Michael Naluai was encouraged by friends to start a new men's singing group composed of men from a couple of churches in the Southeastern California Conference. The group has continued to grow, bringing together men of many vocations and nationalities.
His Voice's concerts of old hymns and gospel favorites eventually led them this past year to record their first CD, "Written in Red." This CD is not sold, but given away for a donation of any amount. It is the chorus' desire to be a faith-based ministry and thus share the heart of Jesus with all who will listen. The men's chorus has also established a website, www.HisVoice.us, with a direct link to its picture journal, www.HisVoiceNews.blogspot.com, filled with hundreds of reflections of God's grace.
It's a happy journey sharing heaven's music with new friends in far-away places. On Sabbaths, whether His Voice is facing a congregation, circling senior citizens, or encouraging prison inmates, the story is about remaining grateful to God, the source of their strength.
