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Song: Champion of Love
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ..."
"I don’t remember learning to speak any sooner than I was singing. The earliest memories I have, are involved with gospel music," said Phil Cross, Founder and President of Poet Voices, a well-known Southern Gospel quartet. They have ministered in churches and concert halls for the past decade. Cross is a singer-songwriter, and excels in both areas.
He was born to Lawrence and Myrt Cross in Ringgold, Georgia, December 16, 1957. Some of his earliest recollections are singing with his family, the Gospel Sounds. As he grew older his musical experiences included playing drums and studying the guitar. He also took voice lessons at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, not as a full-time student, but in private sessions with Sieglinde Cierpke
Brown, an outstanding teacher in the Music Department.
When he was eleven years old, he went to his grandmother’s house to spend the night. While there he came face to face with the fact that he was not a Christian -- that he was lost. He told his grandmother that he needed to be saved. She immediately went to the phone to call the preacher. Phil said, “While she was in the other room, making contact with the preacher, I was making contact with God." He came to know
Christ personally that night and soon after became a member of the High Point Baptist Church in Apison, Tennessee, near Chattanooga.
Phil began his songwriting ventures at age twenty-three and to this date has written between 350 and 400 songs, most of which have been recorded or published. When I asked him to tell me the story behind his most famous song, “Champion of Love," he responded with the following:
"In the mid-1980s there was a boxing match being publicized and promoted on television between two champion middle-weight boxers, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Both fighters were being advertised as having never been defeated. The message of the TV ads was that the world must know who is the undisputed, undefeated middle-weight champion of the world. Those ads went on for weeks. We kept hearing the phrase, over and over again, -- undisputed, undefeated champion. It seemed that in almost every other commercial they were saying something about the undisputed, undefeated champions.
As I was listening to the commercials, it occurred to me that one day the world will become aware of who the all-time, undisputed, undefeated Champion of Love really is. Was his championship temporary, or was it eternal? Was He champion of the world or Champion of Heaven? I then asked myself the question, ‘If I could introduce Christ as He was, as He
is, and as He will always be -- the all-time, undisputed, undefeated Champion of Love -- how would I do it?’
I thought, ‘If I could stand on the highest mountain on earth, and could get the attention of the whole world, I would begin the introduction with...Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention? In this corner of the good and the right stands the Champion, robed in white...’"
Phil told me that he was probably at home when he started the lyrics, he is not quite sure. I then inquired, "Did you write it in one sitting?"
His answer was, "No, it took six months. I was getting the melody at the same time I was getting the lyrics. That is the way I have always written, they both come at the same time."
After he finished the song, assisted by Carolyn Cross English, he taught it to the Poet Voices who recorded a demo tape and it. The tape was sent to Lari Goss, a near musical genius, who wrote "Cornerstone," and who has orchestrated for and directed more recording sessions than any other person in Christian music to date. "Lari took it from there," said Phil.
The song was made popular by the Cathedral Quartet, and went on to win a Dove Award as Song of the Year in 1987. One of the most notable times and places it was ever sung was in Atlanta, Georgia, at the victory celebration when, on one occasion, Evander Holyfield retained his heavyweight boxing title. It was reportedly sung by Alvin Slaughter.
The opening phrase that the writers used, "Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention?" really does get your attention as the song begins, no matter who sings it. And, the unique description of Christ, as it unfolds in the verses is outstanding indeed. The song is written so that the chorus rises with layer upon layer of wonderful adulation and praise, finally pronouncing Him "the Champion of Love."
For the past two decades, Phil Cross, known as a master communicator, has also been recognized as one of this generation’s prolific composers of Southern Gospel music. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions as a songwriter. His insights and humorous stories effectively and dramatically relate the good news of the Gospel to his audiences.
Phil leads every musical performance along a journey of faith, to encourage the saints and help point the lost to Christ. He has a reputation of integrity and dedication to the ministry in which he and Poet Voices are involved.
Reflection:
Everyone loves a true champion, and to witness the recognition, even in boxing terms, of the omniscience, the omnipotence and the omnipresence of Jesus Christ is thrilling to hear. His love was manifested to you and me in a manner that is beyond our finite understanding -- His willingness to be crucified to pay our sin debt.
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Written: 05/01/2006 
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Behind the Songs
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