The song, “Walking By Faith,” was composed by Travis L. Boyd, inspired by scripture and by the testimony of an Oklahoma Minister of Music and Worship. Royce Brown lived his life by faith, walking with Jesus and serving the Lord through every challenge he faced. Though he had lost his eyesight, Royce not only served faithfully in his ministry calling but also in his community. He was known as an effective, servant leader, whose community involvement and faithful perseverance was an inspiration to his family, friends, neighbors, and his colleagues in ministry. “Walking by Faith” was written with the ministry and character of this man (and the faithfulness of God as our Shepherd and guide) uppermost in Travis’s mind.
Royce Brown, a long-time Minister of Worship and Music, community volunteer, charter member of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, and Minister of Music Emeritus for the First Baptist Church of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was a man who walked by faith, both spiritually and physically. He left behind a legacy of service and faithfulness as well as a testimony of trust in God and a transparent love for his Lord and Savior. 
Royce and his family moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma in 1966, when he became the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church there. After more than 5o years of service in ministry at Sapulpa and in other communities such as Blackwell, Ada, and Pauls Valley, Royce retired from full-time ministry. Continuing to live in the community of Sapulpa, Royce sang in local nursing homes every week. He was also involved in the Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance and in the local Lions Club. Royce was named Citizen of the Year by the Sertoma Club of Sapulpa, and June 9, 2002, was proclaimed Royce Brown Day by the Sapulpa Mayor, in honor of Royce’s long history of community service and ministy.
The Logo for The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma
Royce had been widowed in 2001, and he had also lost his eyesight. However, he never lost his love for the Lord or his desire to serve. He continued to sing with the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, depending on friends within the group for transportation to and from concerts all over the State of Oklahoma and around the world on Churchmen Mission trips. Royce inspired fellow Ministers of Music and Worship with his dedication and perseverance, memorizing all of his music and accepting the help of others as he navigated through the buildings and upon the worship center platforms of the churches where concerts were held.
Due to his longevity and faithfulness in ministry, Royce was recognized by the Historical Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma as Music Minister Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Sapulpa. In addition. he was also presented the Lifetime Music Ministry Award, instituted in Royce’s honor, by Dr. Bill Green, Associate Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and, at that time, Director of both The Singing Churchmen and The Singing Churchwomen of Oklahoma. This award continues to be given to Music and Worship Ministers in the State of Oklahoma who have served faithfully for many years.
Introducing “Walking by Faith”
Travis played “Walking by Faith” for Royce in the Worship Center of First Baptist Church of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
After Travis had written a TTBB arrangement of “Walking By Faith” with a tenor solo; and Dr. Bill Green had selected the song for inclusion in the repertoire of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, Travis and I travelled to Sapulpa to share the song with Royce and introduce him to the solo. Royce had a mellow tenor voice, and he did not hesitate to use it in praise to his Lord. I am smiling even now as I recall meeting Royce in the Worship Center of his church, where Travis sat down at the piano with Royce just behind him, listening and ready to sing. Royce picked up on the song so quickly that it seemed miraculous. He was singing along with portions of the song before he had even heard them being played or sung and without the benefit of being able to see the music. It was definitely a very spiritual experience to hear Royce singing “Walking By Faith”, knowing that the Lord had inspired Travis to write the song so that Royce could have further opportunity to proclaim the message of God’s goodness and guidance throughout life. Travis knew that the message of “Walking By Faith” would be shared with integrity and conviction by this man who had lived his own faith walk through many decades of ministry and service.
From the July 11, 2002 Baptist Messenger: HONORED: Royce Brown, left, Music Minister Emeritus at Sapulpa, First, accepts congratulations from Ron Fannin, Associate Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, right, and Bill Green, BGCO Associate Executive Director of Church and Family Equipping Ministries and Director of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, of which Brown is a charter member. Brown was honored by Sapulpa, First, for more than 50 years of ministry. Fannin presented an award from the BGCO Historical Commission, and Green announced the establishment of the Royce Brown Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music Ministry.
Hearing Royce sing “Walking By Faith” was something very special to Travis, to our brother, Dr. Bill Green, and to all of The Singing Churchmen and the audiences at each of the Worship Concerts. Beyond the sound of Royce’s beautiful tenor voice singing a pleasant tune with with a message of encouragement and challenge, the Holy Spirit used the life and spirit of the man singing the solo and the testimony of The Singing Churchmen singing the choral parts to touch the hearts of all who heard “Walking by Faith” during this time period. On one occasion, Travis and some friends stopped at a restaurant after a concert during which “Walking By Faith” was one of the anthems sung by The Churchmen, with Royce as the soloist. Royce and his traveling buddy had also stopped at the same place; and Travis witnessed a woman who had been at the concert and recognized Royce as she told him how blessed she had been by his solo on “Walking By Faith.” Royce had beamed as he thanked her, and we are so pleased that God allowed Royce to share the testimony of his spiritual journey with Jesus through this song.
Our brother Royce went home to be with His Lord in June of 2003. The Singing Churchmen sang “Walking By Faith” and other songs of testimony at his funeral service. For those who witnessed his life, there remains an unforgettable testimony of the faithfulness of God and the faith journey of a man of God that will live on in our hearts.
There are so many faithful servants of God who have the same testimony of walking by faith and trusting the Lord throughout their lives. Along the way on our journey, we are thankful to have met so many wonderful people who love the Lord and are walking with Him one step at a time. Most of all, we are thankful to know the Lord and to be able to trust Him throughout our lives as we continue walking by faith.
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The track below is the publisher’s demo version of,”Walking by Faith,” with the solo sung by Sue Martin. Click “Listen in browser” to hear it (unless you already have or want to install the Sound Cloud app).
“Walking by Faith” was published as an SAB Choral anthem with Solo by Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard. The anthem is still available at the links below, and a Performance/Accompaniment CD is also available.
One step at a time…
Lyrics for “Walking By Faith”:
Walking by faith and not by sight,
Guided by a Holy light.
Step by step, the way is clear.
The Spirit of the Lord is near.
I will follow where He leads,
For I know the path is right
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.
Trusting in One I cannot see,
For He knows what’s best for me.
Tenderly, the Shepherd guides.
The Spirit of the Lord abides.
I will follow where He leads,
For the Lord will be my light
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.
(Bridge section)
Though at times I stumble,
I will never fall;
For I know God is always faithful
To hold my hand, and lift me up,
And see me through it all.
When I’m living by faith, I’m not alone.
As I travel on toward home.
When the road is hard to bear,
The Spirit of the Lord is there.
I will follow where He leads,
For the way is always right
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.
(Tag ending)
I’m walking by faith and not by sight.
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HERE IS THE PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION of “Walking By Faith”:
“Full of youthful confidence and motivational lyrics, “Walking By Faith” is a challenge to Christians of all ages to “walk by faith and not by sight.” Gentle syncopations are easily learned and help give the piece a nice contemporary feel. The SAB voicing is particularly well suited to youth choirs.”
“Walking by Faith” is available from:
Shawnee Press at: http://www.shawneepress.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=35024936
Hal Leonard at: http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=35024936&lid=1&keywords=TravisBoyd&subsiteid=1
Sheet Music Plus (with 2 sample pages to view plus a listening link) at http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Walking-by-Faith/5206355
J. W. Pepper at http://www.jwpepper.com/8065838.item
The first page of “Walkig By Faith”, copyright Shawnee Press, with the dedication, “For Royce Brown”, appearing above the title.
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This post was written by C. Boyd
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Do you know Jesus?
The decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you could ever make! The one true God is ready to give you forgiveness and eternal life as soon as you understand your need for Him and believe on the name of His only Son, Jesus, for your salvation.
Here’s a blog page link to help you find the answers to your questions about Jesus. http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/
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