Mark Lanier to be featured guest

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Since coming together in 2010, HIs Heart Quartet has been one of the most popular names on the Southern Gospel scene in Kentucky. 

The group will be celebrating its 16th Anniversary on July 25 at Crosswoods Baptist Church near Lexington. The concert, which will also feature soloist Mark Lanier, begins at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission charge but an offering will be received.

And the concert might be a time of celebrating some noticeable changes in how the quartet delivers the gospel message. No, His Heart has not abandoned its distinctive Southern Gospel roots, but it has expanded its repertoire to reflect the shifts in musical tastes in 2026.

Their latest project, Braggin’ on Jesus, is a testament to His Heart’s evolution as gospel artists. The CD contains covers ranging from traditional Southern Gospel songs originally recorded by groups like Gold City,  The Kingsmen and the Lefevre Quartet.  There are also popular contemporary worship songs: Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God” and CeCe Winans’ “Come Jesus Come.” Since the CD’s release in April, Sowder says the response has been positive.

“People change, We had to rethink our style,” Sowder says, noting that his group learned from their longtime friends, Triumphant Quartet. Triumphant has been one of Southern Gospel’s most popular quartets for 20 years, but has increasingly added contemporary songs to albums and concerts. 

“We have seen so much more response to the songs we pull from now,” Sowder says. “We believe we have something for everybody.”

Sowder, now in his 48th year of music ministry, says His Heart began rethinking its approach about two years ago. The result has been dramatic. “We sang ‘The Goodness of God’ at a church in Morehead. People were showing their emotions and feelings and praising the Lord.” Sowder said the concert “resulted in a salvation experience.”

As the new project suggests, His Heart is still distinctly Southern Gospel but is adapting to a changing worship culture in churches today. “If you had told me two years ago that we’d be singing songs you hear on K-Love, I would tell you we wouldn’t do it,” Sowder says with a chuckle. “But if you are not progressing, you are just spinning your wheels.”

The 16th Anniversary concert is a celebration that His Heart is adapting rather than spinning its wheels. The current lineup of Kyle Harris on tenor, Jeremy Dickerson on lead, bass Bob Abbott and Sowder on baritone has been together almost a decade, yet the sound remains fresh.

“Kyle is always in the background. He observes everything,” says Sowder, who owns the group. “He is rock solid.”

Dickerson, who has a long history in gospel music and has traveled nationally, is one of the creative forces in the group. “He’s the one we always give a hard time but he does all of our graphics work and he’s always thinking of something to make everything more accessible,” Sowder says.

A quick glance at the CD cover on Bragging On Jesus reveals a noticeable change in the group logo. Sowder says Dickerson created the new logo.

“Jeremy Dickerson is a genius. I never thought I would say those words in the same sentence,” Sowder laughs.

Sowder says that Abbott “is our prayer warrior. He’s always looking for a way to encourage somebody.”

The anniversary concert will take place at Abbott’s home church, Crosswoods Baptist, located on Harrodsburg Road, near the Fayette-Jessamine county line.

Behind the scenes are Mary Ann Hutton, who handles the music, and sound engineers John Kelly and B.J. Mason.

And Sowder is excited that Mark Lanier will be the special guest for the celebration. In fact, Braggin’ On Jesus contains a Perfect Heart hit, recorded when Lanier was singing baritone for the group, “In The Sweet Forever.” 

“Mark is a great writer and a great friend,” Sowder says.

And whether it is in concert or on the latest CD, His Heart has embraced an even greater emphasis on worship, pure worship. “It’s between me and God,” Sowder smiles.

His Heart Quartet 16th Anniversary Concert

When: Saturday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Crosswoods Baptist Church, 4991 Harrodsburg Road, Nicholasville, Ky., 40356

Cost: No admission charge. Offering will be received.