Between 1997 and 2007, John and Julie Turnbull traveled the U.S., writing and performing songs in connection with their Christian youth group work.

 

Several years later, they have been asked to make some of those original worship tunes available in iTunes.

 

“A friend of ours back in Conshohocken (Pa.) teaches aerobics and wanted to make a fitness DVD with a friend of hers,” Julie Turnbull said. “She contacted me out of the blue and wanted to know if she could have our CD so she could use three of our songs on it.”

 

The Turnbulls were honored with the request, but no longer had any physical copies of the CD.

 

“Every song on the CD had a bible study that went along with it. We had live music and also lead sheets and chord sheets that we would give to youth groups in a package with the CD,” Turnbull said.

 

To make the tunes available to their Conshohocken friend – and the public – Turnbull made special arrangements.

 

“There are third party companies you can go through to put music on iTunes,” she said. “There are certain requirements you have to fulfill.”

 

Turnbull chose CD Baby as the venue.

 

“You send them the music and all the graphics and they basically send the music out in a bunch of digital formats to Pandora and other sites,” Turnbull said.

 

The selections are from the Turnbulls’ “We Will Fly” worship project, which was funded by a group of family members and friends. Selections include "Adonai," "Against the Grain," "One," "I'm Thirsty," "King of Kings," "Dying For," Let Me Not Forget," "Mercy, Grace and Love" and the title track, "We Will Fly." 

 

The acoustic pop tunes feature Julie Turnbull on vocals and John on guitar and backup vocals.

 

“On some, we harmonize and I play the piano on a couple songs,” she said. “John writes the music.”

 

Some of the tunes were penned at a youth camp which the couple used to attend in connection with their work at Fellowship Bible Church.

 

“Every summer, we got together with the kids in the afternoon and started playing and singing together. Some of these songs came out of those sessions,” Turnbull said.

 

One of those songs is “I Want You Here.”

 

Listening to the words now brings back quite a few memories – of people, events, struggles and joys, Turnbull said.

 

“I can remember the emotions and circumstances behind the writing of every lyric or arrangement,” she said. “What a journey.”

 

 The couple’s youth mission work included travel in Michigan, Texas, California and several other southern and western states.

 

“We also went to Mexico four or five times,” Turnbull said.

 

The couple also worked extensively in West Virginia.

 

“We eventually became project leaders for Adventures in Missions and spent four summers at their mission base in McDowell County,” Turnbull said. “ 

 

The Turnbulls were involved with Adventures in Missions from 1997 through 2007. They also recorded the album, "Here," which features 11 praise and worship tunes. 

 

Julie Turnbull teaches 7^th grade English at Bridgeport Middle School. John Turnbull teaches senior English and public speaking at South Harrison High School. 

 

The exercise video for which the worship songs are being utilized is a “Core Revelation" project. 

 

To hear the Turnbulls' music and access an iTunes link, visit turnbullmusic.com.

 

Editor's Note: The Turnbulls are the parents of 2014 Bridgeport High School graduate, Rebecca Turnbull, who said her own musical talents were inspired by her parents. Read about that HERE.