The Gospel Music Encounter / Branson

Sing Unto The Lord Concerts is delighted that you have chosen to visit this site for information about The Gospel Music Encounter, taking place Wednesday through Friday, March 10–12, 2027, at the beautiful Thousand Hills Resort in Branson, Missouri. We warmly invite you to explore the site, become familiar with all that this special event offers, and then secure your spot—either by paying in full or by submitting the non-refundable per-person deposit. We are confident you’ll be glad you did!

This event is truly “Gospel Music’s Most Unusual Three-Day Experience.”

Set in one of America’s favorite vacation destinations, The Gospel Music Encounter promises something special for everyone. The Thousand Hills Resort, proudly voted the 2025 Best of Branson Winner, provides comfortable lodging, within minutes of outstanding dining, shopping, and scenic attractions. Add world-class Christian music and ministry showcases, and you have an unforgettable, irresistible getaway.

Once you arrive and settle in, you’re free to enjoy as many—or as few—concert showcases as you like. Review the lineup and select what speaks to you, or better yet, take in every event so you don’t miss a moment of the excitement.

Wednesday Evening
The Encounter begins at 6:00 PM with a special concert featuring the music ministries of Stan Cook and Larry Carter, who will then join together to present “Melodies & Memories: Remembering The McGruders.”

Thursday – Day Two
Thursday is packed with excitement from start to finish. Enjoy a late breakfast and plan for a late lunch, because from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, Devin and Camille Cunningham will host a family harmony showcase featuring the Simmons Family, Devin & Camille Cunningham, Kenny & Donna Johnson, the Pace Family, and the Barber Family.

At 6:00 PM, the Inhabit the Praise Tour Concert takes the stage, featuring Devin & Camille Cunningham, Chosen Few, Better Halves, and The Men of Acts. This diverse showcase highlights multiple gospel styles, including praise and worship, country gospel, Southern gospel, and church-style music.

From 10:30 PM to Midnight, the Heritage Celebration Band hosts the late-night Encounter Encore—a relaxed, unscripted gathering where attendees can enjoy “Stump the Band,” sign up to perform with the band, or participate in Encounter Karaoke, singing solos or joining favorite Encounter artists.

Friday – Day Three
Friday begins at 8:30 AM with the breakfast showcase “Mic Drops and Miracle Moments,” hosted by the Way Back When Boys. Audiences will enjoy a one-day-only quartet made up of four men who previously sang with national groups. Select Encounter artists will join them on stage, sharing hilarious road stories and powerful testimonies of God’s favor and miracles during their traveling ministry years.

From 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, the Better Together Tour Concert features two outstanding all-male quartets—The Apostolic Boys and The Men of Acts—celebrating traditional four-part harmony. Each group will present their ministry before uniting for a dynamic second half, combining voices to deliver classic and creative quartet favorites. Guest artists The Way Back When Boys will also join this showcase.

At 6:00 PM, the Encounter concludes with the Grand Finale: The Sing Unto the Lord Concert. For two and a half hours, every Encounter artist will be seated together on one stage, accompanied by the live Heritage Celebration Band, presenting beloved hymns of faith from the Sing Unto the Lord hymnal in a powerful, camp-meeting-style celebration.

Info: “The McGruder days” refers to the celebrated era of The McGruders, a Southern Gospel group that rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Led by vocalists Carroll and Priscilla McGruder and Stan Cook, the group became known for its dynamic, high-energy live-band sound and standout recordings such as “Come Fly With The McGruders” now considered a landmark album in the genre. The group featured a lineup of talented band members. Their most beloved song, “I’m Going Home With Jesus,” became the number one song in Southern Gospel music and remains a fan favorite to this day. Former members Stan Cook and Larry Carter will present their current ministries before joining together in sharing road stories, video footage, behind-the-scenes memories. Fans can enjoy memorabilia displays, photo backdrops, and opportunities to meet, greet, and get autographs of any McGruder alumni present. This special 90-minute tribute honors the unmatched legacy of The McGruders!

Info: This special showcase event brings together five remarkable family ministries—Devin & Camille Cunningham, The Pace Family, and The Simmons Family, Kenny & Donna Johnson, and The Barber Family. Each family carries its own story and sound, yet all share the same legacy of harmony, worship, and faith that begins at home and flows naturally onto the stage.

Though their styles differ, their mission is the same: to lift up the name of Jesus with passion, sincerity, and the unique blend that only family voices can produce. Expect everything from energetic, toe-tapping moments to tender worship that speaks straight to the heart.

Come ready to laugh, worship, and celebrate the beautiful unity that happens when families join together in song. After all—“It’s A Family Thing”!

Info: An ITP worship event offers a dynamic blend musical styles from Praise & Worship, to Southern & Country Gospel. The evening begins with a powerful call to worship from the seven voice ITP ensamble, followed by a 20 minute set from Devin & Camille Cunningham. Next “Chosen Few” will bring a traditional church sound infused with a southern gospel flair. After this, the wives of the Men of Acts takes the stage as “The Better Halves” to deliver what many cal THE MOMENT OF THE NIGHT, with their stunning presence and harmonies. The atmosphere will intensify with laughter and anointing as The Men of Acts make their way to the stage to deliver that solid four part southern gospel quartet harmony, with excellence, laced with humor, nostalgia and powerful heartfelt worship, that will lead the audience to deep worship. Every ITP event concludes with united worship and an open time of prayer, where many have testified to experiencing a powerful and unforgettable touch from God.

Info: ? Join Us for the “Late Night Encounter Encore”! ?
The Heritage Celebration Band invites you to an unforgettable late-night event at the Gospel Music Encounter in Branson, Thursday, March 11, starting around 10:30 PM—right after the evening concert!

Experience the incredible talent of this dynamic band in a relaxed, casual, unscripted, and unplugged setting. Take part in “Stump the Band” or sign up for “Encounter Karaoke” to sing a solo, or with your group, of your favorite gospel song with a top-notch live band. Want some harmony? Invite your favorite Encounter artists or groups to join you on stage! Maybe you are a musician and would like to bring your instrument and “Play One Song” with the accompaniment of The Heritage Celebration Band!

Bring your camera—there’ll be plenty of moments worth capturing. It’s an evening packed with laughter, music, and memories you won’t want to miss.
✨ The Late Night Encounter Encore—where gospel meets good times!

Info: The Way Back When Boys warmly invite you to a truly one-of-a-kind experience—the Mic Drops & Miracle Moments Breakfast, Friday, March 10, 2027, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Within the Gospel Music Encounter family are four accomplished male vocalists who once toured professionally with some of Southern Gospel music’s most respected groups, quartets, and trios. Each sang a distinct harmony part, making their voices a natural and seamless fit as a quartet once again. Their identities will remain a surprise until they take the stage at The Gospel Music Encounter in Branson.
Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast while Encounter artists share humorous road stories, heartfelt testimonies, and behind-the-scenes moments from life in gospel music. This may be the only opportunity to hear the Way Back When Boys together, complemented by a devotional from Rev. Warren D. Finney and a powerful time of worship and prayer.
This unforgettable morning is sure to be a highlight of GME / Branson

Info: Trios, & family groups certainly have an important role in gospel music, but the four-part male quartet remains at its core. Listeners still love the powerful blend of tenor, lead, baritone, and bass—high, bright tones layered over rich middle parts and deep foundational notes.
Understanding this appeal, we proudly present a special showcase celebrating classic quartet harmony. The Apostolic Boys bring high energy, exceptional blend, and a strong anointing that has won audiences nationwide. The Men of Acts, being decades of experience, excellent harmonies, and a passionate spiritual presence to the stage. These groups share not only musical excellence but also a genuine brotherhood, making their combined sound unforgettable. In Better Together, each group will perform individually and then united onstage. With doubled tenor, lead, baritone, and bass parts, the event promises power, joy, & a deeply spirit-filled atmosphere. The Way Back When Boys will also appear as special guests.

Info: While Christian music styles have transformed over time, the ageless appeal of hymns, when infused with Pentecostal fervor, continues to resonate deeply with audiences. In celebration of this enduring legacy, we're proud to present those beloved hymns once more. The 'Sing Unto the Lord' concert is an evening of soul-stirring worship that revisits our musical heritage, highlighting the anointing and powerful message of faith that have stood the test of time. This unique event promises an unforgettable experience with national gospel recording artists Stan Cook, The Apostolic Boys, Larry Carter, Chosen Few, The Pace Family, The Simmons Family, Devin & Camille Cunningham, The Barber Family, The Way Back When Boys and The Men of Acts sharing the stage, reviving the classic hymns of faith in a traditional homecoming style that invites all to sing along. The uber talented Heritage Celebration Band will bring the added excitement that only a “live band” can offer!

Event venue & nearby stays

Thousand Hills Resort Hotel, 120 South Wildwood Drive, Branson, United States

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