Arthur Lee Crume Sr. (Co-Author)
Arthur Lee Crume Sr. celebrated his eighty-second birthday on July 6, 2010. He lives in the small town of Reidsville, Georgia, where he continues to sing and write songs for the legendary Soul Stirrers, as well as ministering through testimony and song both locally and nationally.


Arthur is the father of fourteen children and godfather of one very special godson. Arthur enjoys bragging on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When he came to know Jesus as his personal Savior, Arthur’s passion changed. No longer driven by fame and fortune, his heart’s desire is to minister Jesus to the heart of both Jew and Gentile alike. He openly declares faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and believes the Bible is God’s inspired Word. On March 27, 2011, the Soul Stirrers were inducted into the Doo-Wopp Hall Of Fame Of America in Boston, Massachusetts.

Nine months later, on December 18, 2011, in loving memory of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, Arthur Lee Crume Sr. gifted the singing group’s ‘Banner of the Lord” to Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Reverend Shuttlesworth was the original pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Soul Stirrers played an integral role during the Civil Rights Movement. Sam Cooke, lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, wrote the song “Change is Gonna Come” in support of the civil rights movement as black Americans fought for equality across the country. The Legendary Soul Stirrers had a history of helping breaking down race barriers and crossing social divides.

Arthur knew Reverend Shuttlesworth understood what real change and equality meant. Real change could only come about through a changed heart from Jesus Christ, for there is no other way to peace and unity.

The transition from youth to Arthur’s golden years reflects the wonder of God’s grace. Despite all of his past achievements, he clings to the reality of God’s promises yet unseen. As an unsettled sojourner, the faith chapter of Arthur’s life lies open to the reality of another hope, a more certain hope. Rather than face the harsh reality of a cruel grave based on the earthly good in which he once placed his hope, Arthur lifts his eyes to heaven with certainty. He knows he will rise to meet the King of heaven and earth face-to-face, the mighty One he knows as both Savior and Friend. Until that day comes, Arthur will continue the Soul Stirrers motto by “serving the Lord to the end,” knowing Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.