Sunday, September 14, 2008

Recovery Update: Rev. Timothy Wright



Two months ago, the gospel music industry learned of the unfortunate news that Rev. Timothy Wright, the beloved hymnwriter of modern gospel tunes "Who's On The Lord's Side," "Trouble Don't Last Always" and the artist behind the radio hit "Jesus Jesus Jesus," was involved in a July 4th tragic car accident while he and his family were heading home from a Church of God in Christ Auxiliaries convention in Detroit. They were struck by John Pick; a wrong-way drunken driver whom also died at the scene. Many were puzzled and caught off guard by the news and had the news media on their toes; gripping over the mere thought of Rev. Wright being silenced. Unfortunately, the accident claimed the lives of his wife Evangelist Betty Wright and their grandson, DJ Wright. With much prayer, Rev. Wright survived and began a series of surgeries and has since been transported to New Jersey's Keesler Institute, one of the nation's leading providers of comprehensive physical medicine and rehabilitation services, to undergo weeks of rehabilitation.

We have grown relentlessly silent and tranquil over the buzz surrounding Wright's important steps of progress to regain physical recovery. But the silence is being broken over two big public appearances from the well-beloved gospel icon.

On Tuesday, August 26, Wright made an appearance at a Brooklyn church where Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker all greeted him with love and support.

On Saturday, September 6, more than 500 worshippers packed the Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey to raise funds for Wright's costly medical expenses. Rev. Wright only showed up for a brief period of time, according to reports, and was supported by a transport team from the Keesler Institute, including two nurses and one respiratory specialist. The crowd greeted Wright with shouting, weeping and soft prayers.

Special musical guests on program for the worship service included Wright's Concert Choir and the New York Fellowship Mass Choir (currently under the direction of David Wright), Alvin Darling & Celebration, Carlton Pope, the Shiloh Baptist Church Mass Choir and others.

The goal of the event was to raise $100,000 dollars. Of the donors and contributors, Alex Snipes and his chain of radio stations based in South Carolina impressed the crowd with their financial contribution to the family of $25,000.

According to Sheilah Belle of the Belle Report, the Grammy-nominated gospel singer is slowly recovering, but is making substantial progress. At one time, doctors said, Rev. Wright was paralyzed from the neck to the waist. However, Rev. Wright now has movement in his shoulders and upper arms.

This has been very agonizing for those that have been touched by the legacy and musical ministry of Rev. Wright. But with prayer and faith, we will get through this. In the words of Wright's illustrious 1989 gospel ballad..."with Jesus on our side, things will work out fine...we're gonna make it."

Donations made out to the Rev. Timothy Wright can be sent to the Timothy Wright Trust, 3399 Lawson Blvd., Oceanside, N.Y. 11572. Checks for more than $500 can be made out to the Kessler Institute with "For Rev. Timothy Wright" written in the memo line.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I a happy to hear that Reverend Wright is progressing. I wll continue prayer. Ihave been searching for a month to find his out about his progress. Thanks you.

Anonymous said...

Thank God for his goodness I am so glad to know that the Right Reverend is progressing .God is worthy to be prasied.

sheron said...

Dear Rev. Wright,

I am so glad God you are continuing to recover from the accident. I know that it was his mercy and grace that brought you this far and will lead you on. I thank God for you and your music. I know that God is going to put a song in your heart that will shake the foundation of this earth.

JOHN MCCASTER said...

just to encourage you, the doctors said that if I survived, I would be a vegatable.(thank god for the doctors) (but God has the last words)(weeping make endure for a night but joy comes in the morning)

Anonymous said...

Pastor Wright,Greeting in the name of Jesus.Ithank God for touching your body in mighty way.God is able to complete your healing,so you can sing some more of his good songs.glory.you and your family are in my prayers.Iwould like to wish you and your family a merry christmas and blessed new year.love the Boatright family

Anonymous said...

Praise The Lord for his goodness and mercy, without his grace there would be none, I grew up singing and listening to your greatly inspired songs of worship. I was taught that even when it doesn't go the way we want it He's still GOD! And we know that "nothing but GRACE brought you this far". There's so much futher for you to go, Thank You Jesus For Rev. Timothy Wright......

C.L. Holder