Choir Ministry

Praising God purposefully, passionately, and perpetually.

Can you believe we are in the last quarter of the month? CWC choir is gearing up for the Holidays like most of you. This past September we celebrated our first year as a choir in the new sanctuary with a scrumptious cake.

We also welcomed seven new choir members. All three services were equally anointed as we sung the prayer "Order My Steps" by Glen Bruleigh and then provided the charge to the church body to "Change the World" by Martha Munizzi.

What can one expect when they see and hear Calvary Worship Choir? It will for sure be electrifying with hands lifted, foot stopping, and skillful singing. Although there is a lot of movement, the essence of the choir is to ministry & not performance based. The outward expression is a result of hearts being changed in God’s presence.

Revisit our page often for the latest updates and how God is working in the lives and ministry of this dynamic choir.

Choir Member of the Month:

Vickie Tonkins

November’s CWC Choir Member of the Month is Vickie Tonkins. We sat down with her recently to find out a little bit more about her and her involvement with the worship team and the choir here at Calvary Worship Center.

Calvary Worship Center: How long have you lived in Colorado Springs?
Vickie Tonkins: In total, I have been in Colorado Springs for nine years. My family moved to Colorado Springs in 1996 and went back to North Carolina in 2004. We have been back in Colorado Springs since 2008.

CWC: Where are you from originally?
VT: I am originally from a small town in North Carolina called Connelly Springs. It is on the map.

CWC: Tell us a little bit about your family.
VT: My husband Rex and I have been married 22 years and have two children. Rex is the outreach pastor here at Calvary Worship Center and I am an online instructor for the University of Phoenix Axia College. Our son, Christian, is a sophomore in college in North Carolina and our daughter, Victoria, is a freshman at Coronado High School.

CWC: What do you do for a living?
VT: I am a part-time online instructor for the University of Phoenix at Axia College. I teach Critical Thinking.

CWC: Now that we know a little bit about you, let’s talk about your involvement at Calvary Worship Center. How long have you called CWC your church home?
VT: About three years.

CWC: When did you first start singing?
VT: I have been singing all my life, but I begin singing in my school choir in high school. Many years ago -- back in my 20s -- I was the praise and worship leader at the church I attended. I was also the church secretary.

CWC: What part in the choir do you sing?
VT: Soprano but I can sing much lower … hint, hint!

CWC: What song that the choir has performed has ministered to you most?
VT: “Order my Steps.” This song really touched me when we performed it recently. I have known the song for years, but it had a fresh new meaning to me most recently.

CWC: What are some of your favorite worship songs or hymns?
VT: I am a huge fan of hymns. My favorite is “How Great Thou Art.” Why? Because God is so great.

CWC: Shifting gears now, what other ministry activities are you involved in?
VT: My husband and I began an outreach ministry called The Destiny Project, Inc. back in 1998.
We travel in the summer doing basketball, volleyball, football, and drama camps. My husband also does the weekly outreach of The Destiny Project, Inc. We are also a part of leading a Bible study on Sunday nights with coaches of Coronado High School and their families.

CWC: And now for some miscellaneous questions: What books have you recently read and enjoyed?
VT: Recently I have been reading mostly textbooks. I don’t have a lot of time for pleasure books. I do read the Bible daily. I guess you could say that is a pleasure book -- it keeps me saved and my eyes on Jesus.

CWC: And what movies have you seen recently?
VT: I went to see Fame with my daughter, we both like musicals, but it was not very good. I only go to matinees, just in case the movie is really bad. I save some money at least.

CWC: Last but not least: When you have free time, what do you most enjoy doing?
VT: Watching the old Westerns that star John Wayne.

Thanks, Vickie, for taking some time to answer questions for us. And thanks even more for volunteering your time to sing in the Calvary Worship Center choir. Your voice and your presence are a blessing to us all!