From the VILLAGE DAILY SUN - The Villages, FL  -  Friday, February 19, 2003

By Michael Fortuna, staff writer

     THE VILLAGES - Songs occasioinally need nurturing before they are full realized.  Southern gospel performer Rod Thomas realized this when he wrote "A Whosoever Is What I Am", which was based on John 3:16   When traveling through California, Rod noticed the scripture reading, *as he had for over the past year, and thought to himslef, "Lord, there's a song there."  But a song wasn't materializing.  In January, Thomas and his wife, Barb, were going to a studio in South Carolina to record an album, and they needed a new song.  "Something said to me, take the words and turn them around," Rod told the Church on the Square audience Monday night.  "Ten minutes later, the song appeared."

    During their fourth visit to The Villages, the Maysville, Okla. residents, using two-part harmonies, sang a mixture of southern gospel classics as well as Rod's own songs.  "We want to express (the true love of God) through song," Barb said.

    The Thomases created a feeling of old friends for the audience by injecting levity throughout their program.  When Rod was talking about how he met Barb, he offered her a warning should she decide to separate.  "If you leave me, pack myu bags because I'm coming along," Rod said.

    Rod, who grew up in a music-filled family, played the piano *for his family at his father's church.  He was surrounded with the sounds of old hymns, but he also liked the real-life situations played out in the lyrics of southern gospel.  "Southen gospel is a kind of partner with the hymns," Rod siad, "They go hand in hand."

    Meanwhile, Barb grew up listening to southern gospel, but never considered singing in front of an audience.  "It just kind of happened after we got married." Barb said.

    Rod has spent 18 years as a minister; *and then the past 12 years working full-time with   Thomas Family Ministries.  "We've enjoyed this ministry." Rod said.   "We'll see what the Lord's got in store."   The Thomases are on the road nearly 250 days a year, driving across America in a *re-conditioned charter bus to spread the word of God.  "The big red bus is our home away from home." Rod said.

    The group has shrunk to a duo after their son and daughter went down the paths to start their own families *and share their own ministries.  To keep them company, Rod and Barb bring their dog, Tia, with them.  "When the bus cranks up, her ears perk up." Rod said.