Debbie--Blackwell, back then--lived next door to me in Alumni Hall our Freshman year of Bible College. She is quite a gifted writer. I hope she keeps sharing her precious memories with us all! She's provoked me to start a bonus page on the website as a "thank you" to those who own the book. I've saved out some of Debbie's remarks to begin that page--and I hope to hear from others who have stories, photos, or documents about Richard's Bible College days to share with all of us. --Pam Richards
Review of Singing from Silence by Debbie Blackwell Buckley
"In August of 1974 I moved my earthly possessions into Alumni Hall, 3rd floor. Next door to me moved in a young girl from Pennsylvania who appeared to be quite artsy--perhaps a hippie. In my sheltered life, she was "different."
She was shy; an introvert. Word got out that she was related to the who's who of our college, but she seemed to hide from that connection. I didn't know what to make of her. We really didn't have much in common. We were probably in typical freshman classes together because the school was so small that most freshmen were in class together. Richard Mullins was our friend and probably our only common bond."
"Pam's words in Singing From Silence took me back to 1974."
"I remember watching the two of them walking side by side dressed in their unusual style, laughing and discussing things --as only Bible College students discussed! The two were quite a pair. It was obvious that they had a unique friendship. Richard had unique friendships with many: Pam saved her friendship mostly for Richard."
"Those years were turbulent for all of us. Post-hippie era years were not easy on the students, nor were they easy on the church as a whole. The Bible College had to make some difficult decisions about what it was and where it was going. The students were in a bigger hurry for it to change. Richard Mullins filled that need with his incredible musical style. We wanted something all our own--and Richard gave it to us."
"It was an era of coffee houses, the coming of age when people began loosening the strongholds of the "plastic" personas worn too long by church-goers. Suddenly it was okay to wear bluejeans to worship--when Richard was playing. For the first time in our lifetime, sign language became a form of communication as well as a form of worship. The beauty of it was only beginning to be used from the stage alongside the speakers and musicians."
"None of us had a clue about contemporary Christian music--it hadn't been invented yet. There were groups like the Gaithers and the Imperials. But solo artists who sang to the multitudes for young people? Richard Wayne Mullins would be the first for us."
"I am grateful to Pam for sparking those memories, for reminding me of the days when we were so poor we were all making our own clothing, hitching rides when we needed to go someplace, and hoping someone would share a meal with us. And for reminding me of how rich we were for having shared a life with one of the most influential Christian musicians in the world."
"Pam is a wonderful writer, a weaver of sorts. Her artistic abilities show in the way she has written the story of her relationship with Richard. God bless you, Pam, for honoring our friend in such a loving way."
--Debbie Blackwell Buckley
For a review by Robert Schneider, click here
Singing from Silence is now available. Click on the link to purchase.
"In August of 1974 I moved my earthly possessions into Alumni Hall, 3rd floor. Next door to me moved in a young girl from Pennsylvania who appeared to be quite artsy--perhaps a hippie. In my sheltered life, she was "different."
She was shy; an introvert. Word got out that she was related to the who's who of our college, but she seemed to hide from that connection. I didn't know what to make of her. We really didn't have much in common. We were probably in typical freshman classes together because the school was so small that most freshmen were in class together. Richard Mullins was our friend and probably our only common bond."
"Pam's words in Singing From Silence took me back to 1974."
"I remember watching the two of them walking side by side dressed in their unusual style, laughing and discussing things --as only Bible College students discussed! The two were quite a pair. It was obvious that they had a unique friendship. Richard had unique friendships with many: Pam saved her friendship mostly for Richard."
"Those years were turbulent for all of us. Post-hippie era years were not easy on the students, nor were they easy on the church as a whole. The Bible College had to make some difficult decisions about what it was and where it was going. The students were in a bigger hurry for it to change. Richard Mullins filled that need with his incredible musical style. We wanted something all our own--and Richard gave it to us."
"It was an era of coffee houses, the coming of age when people began loosening the strongholds of the "plastic" personas worn too long by church-goers. Suddenly it was okay to wear bluejeans to worship--when Richard was playing. For the first time in our lifetime, sign language became a form of communication as well as a form of worship. The beauty of it was only beginning to be used from the stage alongside the speakers and musicians."
"None of us had a clue about contemporary Christian music--it hadn't been invented yet. There were groups like the Gaithers and the Imperials. But solo artists who sang to the multitudes for young people? Richard Wayne Mullins would be the first for us."
"I am grateful to Pam for sparking those memories, for reminding me of the days when we were so poor we were all making our own clothing, hitching rides when we needed to go someplace, and hoping someone would share a meal with us. And for reminding me of how rich we were for having shared a life with one of the most influential Christian musicians in the world."
"Pam is a wonderful writer, a weaver of sorts. Her artistic abilities show in the way she has written the story of her relationship with Richard. God bless you, Pam, for honoring our friend in such a loving way."
--Debbie Blackwell Buckley
For a review by Robert Schneider, click here
Singing from Silence is now available. Click on the link to purchase.
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