COUNTRY GOSPEL MINISTRIES INC

About CGM

Country Gospel Ministries Inc. ( CGM ) is a 501(c)3 organization intending to be kind to other Christian Country Artists and grow them into Kingdom-minded Christ-centered Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mission: to connect, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with Kingdom-minded followers of Christ for the purpose of connecting them with those not yet mature in the faith so that they may benefit from each other and grow in the truth of God’s word and nurture a solid relationship with each other and God. To further the Kingdom of God by teaching the truths in the Bible and teaching others how to apply these truths to their own lives.

Vision: to have able-bodied well-equipped ministers sent out by Country Gospel Ministries to the world in these last days for the purpose of making sure that “none should perish”.

Motto: Be kind to My Christian Country Artists and grow them into Kingdom-minded Christ-centered Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the Lord connect our heart with yours as we all seek to be "one" in Christ.

Events

Country Gospel Ministries Inc, sponsors several events throughout the year. Various retreats, regional and chapter meetings, and our popular Regional Conventions fill each year with the joy of worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

THE HAITI CONVENTION

TBA

THE KENYA CONVENTION

TBA

THE WESTERN CONVENTION

June 1-6, 2026 Location TBA

THE CANADIAN CONVENTION

June 15-20, 2026 Location TBA

THE CENTRAL CONVENTION

July 20-25, 2026 Location TBA

THE EASTERN CONVENTION

August 3-8, 2026 Location TBA

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

October 13-18, 2025 Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center 3050 Green Mountain Drive Branson, Missouri.

For best rates on reservations call 417-335-4700 (CGM discount)

For more information you may email countrygospelministriesinc@gmail.com

Regions

Country Gospel Ministries, Inc has been blessed with members worldwide.

Awards

At each regional convention, members who wish to qualify for an award perform under one more more categories per evening (up to 3). At the end of each evening, members who are present cast ballots, after praying for leading from the Holy Spirit, to vote for the members of their choosing to receive an award. On the last night of each convention, and Awards Night is held and those members who receive the most votes will receive a Silver Heart award. These members will automatically be on the ballot at our International Convention for that year.

There are three categories of Performers. Each category has Performance Categories. Each Artist may only perform at the convention and be on the ballot* in the region he/she resides unless there are extenuating circumstances preapproved in writing by the Board. Artist may attend any convention as a guest. *See Memberships and Annual Dues for more information.

ARTISTS: An Artist must be Kingdom-minded and a CGM member in good standing. He/she/they is/are invited to perform in up to two categories a night, in categories that match the ministry into which God has called them.

PERFORMER, TEEN: An Artist, between 13 years of age and 19 years of age, must be Kingdom-minded and a CGM member in good standing. They are invited to perform in up to two categories a night.

PERFORMER, YOUTH: An Artist, 12 years old or younger, must be Kingdom-minded. He/she/they is/are invited to perform in up to two categories a night.

Youth and Teen can enter any category throughout the week along with the adults and on the Convention's final performance night in the Youth and Teen category.

Glorifying God – Honoring Others

REGIONAL: A blessing bestowed to an Artist or group at the Regional Conventions, voted on by CGM members during the category voting, in good standing present at the convention. Regional Awards are awarded in each category that has participation

INTERNATIONAL: A blessing bestowed to an Artist or group at the International Convention, voted on by CGM members during the category voting, in good standing present at the convention. International Awards are awarded in each category that has participation.

PLATINUM HEART: A blessing bestowed to an Artist or group who has been blessed to receive a Golden Heart Award three (3) times in the same category. The Platinum Heart Award recipients are no longer eligible to participate in the category(s) in which they received the Platinum Heart Award.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR, TEEN: A youth between 13 years of age and 19 years of age, who participates with any talent or gift that God has given him/her that is outlined in the performance category descriptions.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR, YOUTH: A youth 12 years old or younger, who participates with any talent or gift that God has given him/her that is outlined in the performance category descriptions.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR, NEW, FEMALE: A female Artist who is new to CGM, participating in any category, and is over 20 years of age will be in this category.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR, NEW, MALE: A male Artist who is new to CGM, participating in any category, and is over 20 years of age will be in this category.

A CAPELLA: An Artist or group that vocally performs music without instrumental accompaniment or soundtracks.

BAND: A group of three or more musicians that perform together in their ministry with or without vocals. A track can be played by the band (non-studio musician) if they can’t be there.

BILINGUAL: An Artist or group fluent in the use of two or more languages actively in their ministry.

BLUEGRASS: A style of music based on roots, Appalachian and old-time music, characterized by virtuosic playing of acoustic instruments not limited to banjos, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and guitars, and close-harmony vocals.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: A process that connects children to Jesus.

COMEDIAN: A person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh using inoffensive, clean humor.

DRAMA: A representation through dialogue and performance, captivating literary or musical genre that is brought to life through performance.

DUO: A group of two Artists performing together in their ministry.

INSTRUMENTALIST: A solo Artist or an instrumentalist within a band.

LYRICIST: A writer who writes lyrics, the spoken word, or poetry.

PSALMIST: A singer of any Biblical scripture.

PULPITEER: One who delivers sermons, preaches, or evangelizes to others.

RECITER: An individual that gives recitations that include talking segments within a song or reciting a story or poetry, with or without musical accompaniment.

SIGNING INTERPRETER: An individual or group who facilitates communication between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who can hear and speak. This is not to be confused with a drama presentation or a human video.

SONGWRITER: An Artist who composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both.

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY GOSPEL: An original country sound, heartfelt music in the style of a popular country Artist from earlier time periods, such as 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s music.

VOCAL GROUP: A group of three or more vocalists who sing and/or harmonize together in their ministry.

VOCALIST, FEMALE: A female Artist who uses vocals as her instrument.

VOCALIST, MALE: A male Artist who uses vocals as his instrument.

YODELER: An Artist or group proficient in the art of yodeling.

BILLY HALE MENTOR

An individual who is a trusted advisor, counselor, guide; or someone who serves as one to others. Named after Billy Hale, the founder of Country Gospel Ministries and President until 2024. This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

CONVENTION COORDINATOR

A blessing bestowed in appreciation for excellence in coordinating a convention.

ESTEEMED PIONEER

A member who has led the way or generated opportunities for others. These brave, untiring, determined individuals serve as models, instructors and motivators, and attest to the possibilities for others. This is a once in a-lifetime honor.

ESTEEMED SERVANT

A member who is a servant to others. As Christ became a servant for us, so we should be servants unto Him and each other. This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

HALL OF FAME

A blessing honoring an individual who is a CGM member in good standing that is an active influencer and mentor and contributed to the perpetuation of CGM. This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

MEDIA MINISTRY

A member who is a Kingdom-minded online persona that people use to express themselves and interact with others on popular social media platforms, including but not limited to radio, TV, newspaper, magazines, and various other media. This award can be received more than once.

SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE

A member who has a charitable spirit and devotion to diligence. This award can be received more than once.

ORDINATIONS

Ordinations are earned by taking a series of courses from Patriot University. After receiving certification from Patriot, the individual may be ordained at the convention of their choice.

Membership

MEMBERSHIPS AND ANNUAL DUES

Individual memberships shall be approved by simple majority of the Board members. Any natural person seeking to become a member must apply in writing, or by electronic means, to the Board annually. If approved as a member, the member accepts and agrees to be bound by the Bylaws of CGM. All annual membership dues are to be paid by January 1 of each year.

A Kingdom-minded individual 20 years of age or older. CGM Members in good standing shall have the right to perform as an Artist and/or vote during the category voting at their Regional Convention and the International Convention.

CGM Annual Membership dues are $50 per year.

A Kingdom-minded individual between 13 and 19 years of age. A Teen Member shall have the right to perform as an Artist in any category including the Teen category and/or vote during the category voting at the Regional and the International Conventions.

Teen Annual Membership dues are $25 per year.

A Kingdom-minded individual 12 years of age or younger. Youth members shall have the right to perform as an Artist in any category including the Youth category. Youth members do not have the right to vote.

There are no annual membership dues for Youth members.

If you would like to print and mail an application instead please send to:

Country Gospel Ministries PO Box 5020 Branson, Missouri 65615

Memo: membership

PayPal link for membership payment Countrygospelministriesinc@gmail.com

Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team is made up of talented, devoted Christians who love the Lord and have a heart for ministry.

Billy Hale President Emeritus Founder of CGMA	Wendell Johnson President	Beverly Johnson First Lady
Wade Blend Executive Vice President, Interm	Shirley Minnick Executive Assistant

Maureen Wanner Chairman of the Board	Ken Buchen Board Member	Leonard Pohl Board Member
Terry Clark Board Member	Rachelle Nelson Board Member	Steve Mynatt Board Member

Darlene Jones Beall Promotional Director	Mari Jo Blend Regional Convention Coordinator Advisor	Bill Beall Veteran Coordinator
Lois Chalmers New Members & Ordination Instructor	Reva Oakman Lois's assistant	Peggy & Galen VanDeren Prayer Team Coordinator
TBD Website & Social Media Editor	Darlene Jones Beall International Convention Coordinator	Bob & Joan Leslie Canada Chaplains

Harvey Cymbalisty Canadian Regional Represenitive and Canadian Saskatoon Chapter President	Ken Olson Canadian Regional Vice President	Aven Grace Canadian Regional Convention Coordinator
Esther Bregg Canadian Regional Admin. Assistant and Canadian Saskatoon Chapter Secretary/Treasurer	Bob Klein Canadian Regional Emeritus	Sheila Abramoff Canadian Regional Admin. Assistant
Donna Strong Eastern Regional Vice President and Eastern Regional Convetion Coordinator	Jimmy Davis Eastern Regional Represenitive
Wade Blend Western Regional Vice Presidentp	Maureen Wanner Western Bis-Man ND Chapter President	Tommy and Debbie Lee Western Arizona Chapter
Maureen Wanner Western Regional Convention Coordinator 2025	Wade Blend Western Regional Convention Coordinator 2025	Hannah Western Regional Convention Coordinator 2025
Donna and Kevin Kilmurray Central Regional Vice President	Kim Douglas Central Regional Represenitive	Tammy Bogle Central Regional Convention Coordinator
Gary Warlick Central Regional Emeritus	Sebastian Ombima Kenya, Africa Vice President	Souveney Jean-Louis Haiti Vice President
Jimmy Jack Jimmy Jack Foundation

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Eastern USA Region

The Eastern USA Division includes the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Central Region

The Central USA Division includes the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

Western Region

The Western USA Division includes the following states: Arizona , California , Colorado , Idaho , Montana , Nebraska , Nevada , New Mexico , North Dakota , Oregon , South Dakota , Texas , Utah , Washington , and Wyoming .

Canada

Kenya

Haiti

Elements

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