More than a musician
By Kurt Schneider

Three years ago, Mitch McVicker came to Derby to play before an intimate crowd in the sanctuary at Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

Most people came to hear music from the man who was with Rich Mullins when he died in a car crash in 1997.

Mullins was a native son, a worshipper that made people feel that they were really in the throne room with God.

At the time of the concert three years ago, not much was really known about McVicker.

His music wasn’t nearly as famous as Mullins’ worship songs – such as “Awesome God” and “Step by Step.”But, still, he drew a large crowd and the people in the sanctuary that 
night were treated to a sound that is distinctly McVicker.

His songs were fresh. They were ballads. They told stories of people struggling with faith and then gaining the kingdom Then, near the end, McVickers pulled off a Mullins’ type worship 
session that had people lifting hands, tearing up and hugging their neighbors.

McVicker will return to Derby on Jan. 30 for a concert at Grace Harbor Baptist Church in the old Derby Theater.  The one thing I miss more than anything about the loss of Rich Mullins 
was the way he made you feel you were a part of something very special.  He had this way of bringing you face-to-face with God through worship.  He truly was a worship leader.
Indeed, I miss him dearly as does anyone who ever worshipped during one of his concerts.
I never thought it was possible for anyone to bring that kind of intimacy to worship.

Oh, sure, Third Day does a pretty good job of it. So do The News Boys and DC-Talk.  But the closeness that Mullins made you feel with God, with each other, with him, is something special, something no one else can bring to a concert. At least, that is what I thought until three years ago when McVicker put away all the electrical instruments, the drums and the backup 
singers and brought out his acoustic guitar. 

When he sang “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” and “Step by Step” that same intimacy Mullins brought to his concerts was suddenly back.  McVicker showed that he is more than just a musician, he is a worship leader and I will never forget it.

At the Derby Theater on Jan. 30, McVicker will play songs from his next unreleased CD, but the real treat will come when he leads worship at the end.  If you liked Rich Mullins, you won’t want to miss Mitch McVicker.  This tour is being called The Never Ending Tour.