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Biographies
ABOUT MIKE HOFFMAN, LEAD SINGER
The earliest
recordings of Lead singer, Michael Hoffman, can be seen and heard on old reel-to-reel tape. Mike was at that time only
18 months of age and performing "Kneel At The Cross" with his Papaw, a pentecostal preaching paternal grandfather
who was also Mike's first musical & spiritual influence. Mike's musical interests grew as did his fascination with
a number of instruments. As a preteen, he began playing drums. He then moved on to learn rhythm guitar, steel
guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, & others. As he hit his mid-teens, Mike began being pulled in different musical
directions. He was playing Branson, MO by 16 years of age and Nashville, TN by 17 years old. Making numerous contacts
and being virtually surrounded by top-name artists & performers, Mike then began writing songs and signed with ASCAP (American
Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) at the age of 18. Shortly thereafter, he made Nashville, TN his new home.
While the music business offered a wide array of opportunities for such a young man, something was ALWAYS missing. Higher
heights eventually led to the lowest depths in Mike's life. Regrettably, he fell prey to multiple addictions, some
of which nearly took his life on more than one occasion. At this point it had become clear to everyone (except Mike)
that the devil had slowly and manipulatively taken control in his life. But, GOD was far from being finished with Mike.
Physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted, Mike eventually left Nashville, TN to recuperate at the suggestion of a
dear friend. He returned home to Northwest Tennessee and began the long road to rebuilding his life with the aid of
God, family, and recovering friends. For the last 15 years, Mike has been determined to follow Christ's
leadership for the ministry into which God had called him at such an early age -- MUSIC, God's music!!!
Today, he ministers through singing, songwriting, and testimony... "I am deeply grateful for a second chance
at life, for a loving family, and especially for the opportunity to give back to God a portion of what he has given to me. I
have enjoyed being a part of the ministry of "RENEWED"
since the beginning and pray that God continues to allow me opportunities to minister and share with others in
some way", said
Hoffman.
ABOUT DANNY PRESLEY, TENOR SINGER
All a person in gospel music has to say is Danny Presley, and heads turn. People begin to say things like, "What a blessed voice" and "What
a glow around him when he sings". Danny's love for gospel music has followed him essentially all of his life.
He came from a very talented family, having a dad and brother who sang together for many years and a cousin named (you guessed
it), Elvis. Danny spent most of his young life like many others do -- assuming he had lots
of years left to do what he wanted to do. However, a tragic day during the Vietnam War changed Danny's life forever.
Danny and a fellow soldier had a near fatal accident while serving in the war after a trap-grenade was triggered, firing on
both men. As he was being lifted by Army helicopter, Danny recalls making a promise to God that if He would let him live, he would always sing His praises and spread the gospel through song. God listened and responded, and Danny has been singing
ever since. He has always been blessed to have a group available to sing with and has become known abroad for his Class-A,
unique, and smooth tenor style. The group with whom Danny sang for the longest period of time was "The Laymen". Together with his brother,
Charles Presley, he traveled, sang, and ministered for almost 33 years. Danny has recorded numerous albums and remains
widely known and admired for his witness. Though he has quite a catalog of songs and experience and has worked with
some of Southern Gospel's finest through the years, Danny has never lost his humility. Moreover, his love and compassion
for others just keeps growing and growing. Danny has become an icon in Southern Gospel singing and has earned the title
of a "Veteran Tenor Singer", a label that holds more meaning than
most people realize. Before being led to "RENEWED", Danny was the tenor with "The Senators", a quartet based out of Memphis, TN. But, Danny is not only gifted as a tenor. He also
enjoys high-tech video and audio recording, editing, and production work and professional photography...... "RENEWED" is blessed and
thankful that God saw fit to send
Danny their way to help minister to the needs of others. And, they thank Danny for responding to God's call
once again... "You can't change your ministry or your style to meet the needs of others. You have
to always do what you were called to do and the way you were called to do it. I'm having more fun and feeling more
blessed now than ever before", said Presley.
ABOUT CHARLIE VAUGHN, BASS SINGER
Charlie
Vaughn has treasured Gospel Music since he was a lad. He grew up in an
era when both work and daily living were demanding. But he recalls being a little boy seated on the front row of a church,
watching and listening to the harmonious blend of gospel singers. As a youngster, he further remembers saying to himself,
"Man, I sure would love to do what they are doing one day". In the late 1970's with his natural bass voice,
Charles had his chance. He helped to organize "The Crossmen", a quartet that blazed a regional trail of gospel music through the 1970's and 1980's. The group went
on to become recognized as "Ambassadors of Gospel Music", being commissioned as such by the governors of 9 states,
and they won 20-plus prestigious awards for their work in the field. However, like so many before him and despite apparent
success in the world's eyes, Charles lost sight of what really mattered somewhere along the way. Down-hearted, he
eventually made a decision to leave the gospel circuit -- a decision with negative implications on his life for nearly 8 long
years to follow. But, God never left Charlie Vaughn. In fact, God kept tugging and tugging on Charles' heart until one
day Charles began to actively seek-out people who would be willing to minister through song and worship again. Some
three years later, "RENEWED" was born. Charles finally surrendered to what God had wanted and planned for him for so long......
Today, Charles seeks God first in his decisions. In fact, it was through prayer that God named the group, "RENEWED"!! Charles is known and loved by
gospel music fans far and near, and he is happier and more at peace today than ever before. He continues to express
gratitude for the miracles that only God could perform in his life, in his family's life, and in the needs of others through
his passion for ministering with "RENEWED". "I feel so blessed just to be a part. I do not want
to give people a show with rehearsed routines and skits. I want to minister and let God take all the credit. I want to see people blessed and coming
to the Lord, whether it is to get saved or to rededicate their lives, and get on fire for Christ. As a Christian, that's
all I want", says Vaughn.
ABOUT
KEITH OZMENT, BARITONE SINGER
When one thinks of the words "anointed"
or "gifted", Keith Ozment
has to come to mind. From his youth, Keith knew he was supposed to be doing something for the Lord. He, too, learned
the meaning of restricted means of living at an early age. His family struggled to make ends meet, and Keith was obliged
to help by beginning work at an early age. However, by 14 years old he'd found his passion -- singing gospel music.
And, at age 15 he became the tenor singer for "The Crossmen", the quartet with whom a friend, Charlie Vaughn, was singing bass. Keith shared in the good-times
with the group, from a boy's dream of traveling and singing gospel music to a young man's inclusion in numerous awards
and honors. The group was even privileged to travel to Washington, DC and sing at a presidential inauguration.
Keith is an ordained minister and began to preach after "The Crossmen" quartet divided. But, he began being
pulled by the world and all it's follies. Hard times and devastating family changes encouraged him to slip away
from his first love -- God and His work. Keith abstained from ministering in any fashion for a number of years.
But, God never left Keith Ozment either. When long-time friend Charlie Vaughn
called Keith and told him that he was sincere about ministering again, Keith was at first both reluctant and skeptical.
But, soon thereafter he saw first-hand blessing after blessing in his own life and the life of others.... Now
singing baritone & composing gospel songs, Keith [along with Charles (bass) and Mike (lead)] became one of the three original
group members of "RENEWED", a team that
God was about to ordain as an evangelistic singing ministry. "God is so good.
He blesses us when we are right, and when we mess up, he finds a way to use that situation to make us stronger. I just
enjoy being a part of what God
is doing, not only in this group, but in my life", said Ozment.
ABOUT
LEO BURKEEN, Busdriver for Renewed
Leo, we have
to say is one of a kind. Quite the character, he keeps us laughing until we are bent over with pain with
his jokes and pranks. Leo is retired from being a truck driver for over 30 years and when the need was presented jumped
at an opportunity to serve Jesus with a smile. He drives the long hours while we are fast asleep and manages to get
us to our destination safely, with a little help from the GPS system, *smile* thank you Leo!!
Bro. Roy Adams (Jack of all trades)
Roy Adams is one of the most dedicated Christian men and supporters of "RENEWED GOSPEL MINISTRIES" around. Roy functions in a number of capacities: prayer warrior,
back-up bus driver, keeping everything serviced and running, unloading and loading sound equipment, photographing and videoing
concert footage, and much much more. Roy is quite amazing.
Seriously/critically injured in a motorcycle accident in 1982, he is left disabled still today. Yet Roy Adams leaves
nothing undone when it comes to serving the Lord and helping "RENEWED".
He typically steps in and has things already taken care of long before being asked to do so. It has often been said
that if our churches were full of members with Roy's ambition and determination to serve, there would be nothing left
to be done. What an example... We appreciate you so much, Roy. May God continue to richly bless you and
your family.... --Charles, Keith, Danny, Leo, & Mike |
