Sioux City welcomes 4Him

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
October 28, 2004

The third annual Families in Need Concert for Catholic Charities is set for Nov. 20 at the Sioux City Orpheum Theater for all who would like to see the Christian music group, 4Him.

"We are really excited to have 4Him as our featured act," said Steve Elbert, director of stewardship and development. "They are very prominent in the contemporary Christian music industry. They are four gentlemen who have fantastic harmony. We are really looking forward to it. I think it will be a very inspirational night for teenagers and families."

4Him has been working to accomplish their mission of inspiring and encouraging Christians through their music for over a decade. The group has 10 albums, the most recent named 'Visible.' Andy Chrisman, Kirk Sullivan, Mark Harris and Marty Magehee, 4Him group members, have worked together for 13 years winning eight Dove awards.

Elbert noted during the first part of the concert, the band will perform top hits and for the second set they will perform Christmas music. The group will be performing songs for their album titled 'Seasons of Love,' which was their Christmas album released in 1993. Some of the songs included on that album are 'The Season Of Love', 'White Christmas', 'Little Drummer Boy', 'A Night To Remember', 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem', 'Hold On To Christmas' and 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'.

During the Christmas set, the third and fourth grade students from the Catholic School of Sioux City will join 4Him on stage to sing.

"We are very excited to have the Catholic Schools of Sioux City forth and third performing Christmas carols with the band," Elbert said. "It is always a treat for them to perform with a nationally known Christian act."

The concert is held each year to provide an opportunity for families to attend a Christian event and to help raise money for Catholic Charities.

"There are two reasons we do this," Elbert said. "The first is to provide a family activity of Christian nature. The second reason is this is an opportunity for Catholic Charities to advertise itself. We haven't always been the greatest at getting our name out there and letting people know what we do. At the same time, this helps raise some much needed funds for Catholic Charities children and family counseling."

According to Elbert, the last two years have been very successful. The first year Bob Carlisle was the performer and the second year Newsong performed. Both concerts raised over $20,000 each.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can do so by calling (712) 279-4850. The concert will start at 7 p.m.

"We invite anyone to come," Elbert said. "The last couple years have been a tremendous uplifting experience. We have reached out to other churches in the surrounding area and various colleges. This is a good chance for people to gather together."