Description
Together: A Gift of Love to a Hurting World is a multi-artist charity compilation featuring tracks by ten CCM artists, released on Light Records in 1982. All the proceeds donated to World Vision International. The album sold over 10,000 copies in its first 11 days of sale.
World Vision International
World Vision International, a child-sponsorship Christian charity in operation for some 50 years, has also worked with Christian artists on a variety of projects.
After initial attempts to work with ccm artists, the organization’s interest in bringing its program to the most contemporary of Christian music audiences quickly waned. Controlling supporters objected that the music was too progressive and the audiences too young to suit the ministry’s needs.
Later, however, in 1981, World Vision did sponsor portions of The Imperials’ Northwest concert tour and has since invited a few more middle-of-the-road artists to appear on its video specials. The agency has also benefited from concerts by Bob Dylan, Barry McGuire, Sandi Patti, Keith Green, and the Second Chapter of Acts.
More recently, WVI has gained financial support through a benefit album sponsored by Light Records. ‘Together . . .A Gift of Love to A Hurting World’, released in 1982 just prior to Christmas, features 10 songs by ccm artists. They have donated the recordings and the royalties from album sales to most of World Vision’s 3,000 emergency feeding projects worldwide.
Signed to a variety of Christian recording and publishing companies, the artists include Andrae Crouch, Amy Grant, the late Keith Green, Walter Hawkins, The Imperials, Evie Tornquist Karlsson, Dino Kartsonakis, Barbara Mandrell, Sweet Comfort Band, and B.J. Thomas. ‘Together’ sold over 10,000 copies in its first 11 days of sale.
According to Amy Grant, the album was an answer to prayer: “For a long time, I had felt God’s hand leading me to become actively involved in hunger efforts,” she said. “I thank God for the privilege of being involved in this project and pray that I can do more in the future …When I get to heaven, I’m going to meet thousands of people who knew only physical suffering in the world, and I must be able to tell them that I did everything possible to reach out and help.”
Expressing his appreciation to the artists involved in the album project, World Vision President Dr. Ted Engstrom said: “I’m greatly impressed by the love and concern demonstrated by these fine musicians on behalf of the world’s suffering people. In my mind, this is what Christianity is all about – God’s people joining together to put His love into action.”
[Excerpt from the article “Music & Mercy – A Look Beyond the Lyrics”, written by Karen Robberson and featured in the May 1983 issue of CCM Magazine]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. Andrae Crouch – “Touch Me” – 5:33
A2. The Imperials – “One More Song For You” – 4:38
A3. Evie – “At The River Of Jordan” – 3:24
A4. B.J. Thomas – “Hallowed Be Thy Name” – 3:45
A5. Dino – “Hallelujah Chorus” – 3:02
Side Two
B1. Sweet Comfort Band – “I Love You With My Life” – 4:01
B2. Walter Hawkins – “I’m Goin’ Through” – 3:11
B3. Amy Grant – “That’s The Day” – 3:37
B4. Barbara Mandrell – “Swing Low Sweet Chariot/Swing Down” – 2:50
B5. Keith Green – “The Victor” – 4:20
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