50 Years of Music and Praise

Pastor Stuart and Teresa Reblin

By Stuart Reblin

In conjunction with our 50th anniversary, I was asked to provide a somewhat broad commentary relating to my ‘historical testimony,’ my personal musical background, and my function in Door Church Tucson. So, here goes!

I gave my life to Jesus at the very beginning of my senior year in high school – sometime in September of 1974 – although I reference October 12, 1974 as my conversion date, only because it was the day I was filled with the Holy Ghost.

Throughout my childhood and up to age 17, I attended a local Lutheran church in Tucson with my mom and sister; subsequently, I had a general belief in Jesus, the Gospel, and the importance of church.

But, in all of my years attending Sunday school, catechism, and church services, I had never heard about Bible prophecy, or Jesus coming again, or the term, born again.

I was introduced to The Door via the witness of a senior classmate and good friend, Paul Drake.

Paul began witnessing to me as we rode our bikes to school. He told me about the Second Coming of Christ and the need to be born again. Paul’s witness struck a chord in my heart.

The first service I attended was on a Wednesday night. I certainly don’t remember what Pastor Warner preached – but I absolutely remember what I felt once the altar call was made and an invitation to be born again was given. I remember feeling an incredible urge to respond.

Unfortunately, I didn’t – only because I attended that service with my girlfriend, who was into New Age philosophy and reincarnation, and I was overly self-conscious.

Nevertheless, I knew what I felt and I knew what I needed to do. I actually prayed at home later that night to give my life to Jesus and, soon after, I was filled with the Holy Spirit. There was no turning back.

The church consisted of about 15 or 20 people when I got saved. The church building was unimpressive and occupied the size of a small apartment. The décor was somewhat of an eyesore.

I think three different colors of shag carpet remnants had somehow been seamed together, and a green curtain hung behind the area dedicated to preaching. There was no platform; just a flat floor.

Sister Mona Warner played an old upright piano that was horribly out of tune. The altar area consisted of two homemade benches with dark imitation leather.

Two metal poles held up a ceiling that looked like it could collapse during a heavy rain.

Last but not least, the single-room restroom was located behind the ‘platform’ – so, a visit there during the service required walking past Pastor Warner while he was preaching.

But, despite all of the visual deficiencies, the presence of God filled the building in a very tangible way.

The joy of salvation was evident. The preaching was anointed and the worship was intense.

Origins and history of the choir

If I remember correctly, the choir ministry was launched in late 1975. Richard Kirkpatrick was the original choir director. He approached me at that time and asked if I would like to assist – primarily to accompany the choir on the piano.

It was a natural fit for me. I loved music, and still do. My formal music training started at age 7 when I began private piano lessons. I received numerous piano awards through junior high and high school and, at age 14, I was the first place finisher for Arizona in a nationwide Contest for Young Composers.

My original composition was later performed at the Arizona State University School of Music.

I participated in advanced music theory classes during my years at Pueblo High School. During my senior year, I was enrolled in a special music program that allowed me to take a concurrent Music Theory and Composition class at the University of Arizona.

My private piano instruction extended through my high school years and continued with independent studies under two professors at the University of Arizona School of Music following my high school graduation. Additionally, I began choral involvement in junior high and continued participation throughout my high school years.

I didn’t pursue a college degree in the field of music for several reasons. One, the whole college environment was somewhat overwhelming for me. Second, I had no clear vision of a musical career-path, and thirdly – and I think most importantly – I had a sense of God’s calling on my life in or for some expression of ministry, and I felt like I needed to devote myself to that purpose.

At the time, I thought college was in conflict with God’s calling. Whether or not that was actually true will be revealed in eternity, I suppose.

Whatever the case, from a perspective that now looks back over almost 50 years, I can say with great confidence that God has directed my path!

After a year or so, Richard Kirkpatrick transitioned the choir director’s role over to me sometime in 1976. I maintained that role of ministry for twenty-two years, until 1998. As is the case with any ministry, skill levels, maturity, function and fruitfulness develop over time.

Choir practice was a weekly event for about 90 minutes on a Monday or Tuesday evening. It was very much a foundational ministry within the life of the church.

For many new converts, the choir was their introduction to ministry expression within the church.

In the mid ’80s the choir numbered close to 70 individuals, although the average size of the choir over the years was 40-50. It was somewhat of a small family gathering within the larger church family, where fellowship was rich and relationships were built.

Initially, the choir would sing on random Sunday evenings. Eventually, the choir sang every Sunday evening – and the ministry actually facilitated the Sunday night worship service.

Song construction and arrangements consisted of traditional four-part harmonies: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. For most of my years as choir director, I maintained my position as the pianist and had other men actually do the directing; namely, Vince Redhouse and then Jerry Wood.

As time went on, our musical accompaniment transitioned from live musicians to recorded soundtracks as I transitioned from the piano to actual directing.

I would like to extend a huge thank-you to all of those who assisted as the choir’s musicians, as well as to Paul Arbo, who always provided his skills on the soundboard.

Obviously, I would also like to thank the hundreds of individuals over the many years who have faithfully served in the choir.

One of the annual highlights for the choir occurred during the Christmas season when, for four or five years, we were able to sing and share testimonies at the Tucson Mall’s Center Court. These were great open doors, as significant crowds would circle the area on both the ground and the second floors during the holiday shopping season.

Eventually, however, the mall’s Merchant Association refused to allow us back – citing complaints from merchants over the “religious content” of our message. Their loss!! Those events were special and remain a very fond memory in my heart.

Alongside the choir, we also had a 16-voice small ensemble. This group’s repertoire consisted of selections from Handel’s Messiah.

The ensemble’s ministry expression was limited primarily to special occasions. Those individuals worked many hours, and together they mastered some extremely difficult pieces of choral composition!

While functioning as the choir director, I was also involved in a music group, served as a House-to-House (HHM) Bible study leader, a Door Scene preacher, and church council member. My wife, Teresa, was also involved in the Kings Player’s drama group.

Teresa and I were asked to join the pastoral staff in 1983 – and served as Door Directors for about six months before transitioning into the role of Follow-Up Directors – taking over that role from Eric and Brenda Strutz as they were sent out to pioneer a church.

While on staff, Teresa and I did whatever needed to be done. Our primary areas of ministry focus were follow-up, leading the new convert’s class, church administrative support, conference coordinators, HHM oversight, coordination of nursery and church fellowships, and so forth.

We served on staff for seventeen years, from 1983 until 2000, at which time we were sent out to pioneer a church in Vallejo, California. We were privileged to serve an amazing congregation as pastors in the Vallejo church for eighteen years before returning home to Tucson in June of 2019.

We are incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to invest our lives into the life of the Vallejo congregation as well as in our home church here in Tucson.