The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

A Double Deal At Terre Haute

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner

28 April 2004

Last Friday I got a double deal in Henderson County.

Not only did I attend a terrific musical concert with great entertainment and moving message, but I also got a bonus of a delicious buffet meal and conversation with the wonderful people around the area at the Terre Haute Methodist Church.

It was a double deal and proves just how great it is to live in our small rural area.

This was the third time that the Terre Haute church had hosted rock singer of the "60s and "70s-Frankie Valens, and his wife- Phyllis. Both are preachers' kids.

Frankie dropped out of the entertainment circuit because of what he describes as a lack of morals plus the realization that something was missing in his life. Frankie left a broken marriage and a broken career and moved to Colorado. He changed his name back to Frankie Piper, went back into the accounting field, and joined a church.

It was there that he met his wife in the church choir. She was the Director and an accomplished concert pianist and song writer who had written for Standard Publishing's Vacation Bible School courses. After a couple years, they were married. It was after a few years of marriage he decided that he must reveal to her what his former name and stage career had been. He felt led to serve the Lord in music.

He and his wife started ministering as a team in churches all across the nation. They traveled full time for seven years before coming off the road in "97. It was during this time they took the Valens name legally for many ministry reasons.

They live in Duncan, OK and have returned to full time ministry singing in churches, coffee houses, outdoor concerts, Christian schools, colleges, large auditorium gatherings, even Valens-tine banquets.

In his early career, Frankie performed songs such as: "This Magic Moment", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "She Cried", "Donna" "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" "16 Candles" and "Unchained Melody" which we enjoyed hearing.

But now, it is the Valens hearts desire to tell those who don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that there is hope. F or those who do know Him, their hope is that they be lifted, strengthened, and encouraged in their own personal walk with the Lord.

The Valens said to take your time, your talent, your everything, and give it to the Lord. If you are lukewarm, He will spit you out of his mouth, the scripture says. Tell others about Jesus. You may be the only way they will know.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, you can't make your plans for heaven. In 1963, they took God out of the schools. After 9-11-01, people asked, "Where was God?" We told him, we don't need Him."

Frankie sang "51 Candles" from the "16 Candles" oldie to Mike Palmer to surprise him on his birthday...he was.