We are a Southern Gospel preaching and singing ministry based out of a small town called Cypress, FL. Initially, of course there were never any thoughts of forming a group or ministry, just a few friends who loved the Lord, getting together once a week around the piano at the church, singing and listening to gospel sound tracks. In fact back then, the mere thought of singing in front of anyone would have scared us to death. Our church then was growing and as it grew our Thursday night get together grew. We would all sing in the choir and slowly opted to try and sing specials for the congregation. In mid 1997, two of the couples, Dennis and Eva Tanton and Buddy and Candace Stephens. started working together more and singing within the service. After some time. other people from other churches asked us to come and sing a few songs for them and even questioned if we had a name for the group. Out of the four of us, none of us even knew anything about music, parts, etc. We just liked to sing. Another lady, Shiela Smith had joined the church and had been singing solos within the services. One day after we had talked, Bro. Dennis asked Sis. Shiela if she would be interested in singing with us. She agreed to it and soon after opportunities for other places to sing came up. We then decided it was time to come up with a name. We all prayed about it for a couple of weeks and brainstormed some ideas. The name, "Vessels Of Clay" was decided on because it was truly our desire as individuals and as a group to be usable and willing vessels for the Lord.

As we all grew in the Lord, the group was molded into a ministry. The first eight years or so we would sing at various local churches, grand openings and community benefits. Around that time, Bro. Dennis felt the calling to preach. Soon doors were opened not only for singing but for Bro. Dennis to preach the Word as well.

In the tenth year of the ministry (about 2007), Sister Shiela felt the need to come off the road. Hailey, the oldest daughter of Buddy and Candace Stephens, asked if she could try and step up. She has now been with the ministry full-time for the last three years. None of us could truly say that we chose this path of the ministry; yet none of us would rather be doing anything else. The Lord still calls and anoints willing vessels! We know that he called us, He has anointed and we do choose to strive to be obedient servants in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through testimony, song and the preaching of the Word!

Each of us could probably say that there are various artists that we have enjoyed, learned from and sang behind over the years. However, as a whole one of our biggest influences has been The McKameys. As with The McKameys, the roots of "Southern Gospel" run deep within us. The anointing that The McKameys have and the gifts of writing, singing and ministering heartfelt, Word-based songs has truly been an inspiration.

Again, each of us probably have several individuals that have taught or helped to shape our characters. (From parents, grandparents, and other ministers...etc.) Each couple has also testified to many, but each can also say that those pastors who first worked with them in teaching the Word of God would be among the biggest spiritual influences. (Bro. Shelton Kindig, Bro. Juno Douglas, and Bro. Benjamin Young) Further, as a group the McKameys would still be a great testimony to the spiritual influence of the ministry as well.

The ministry has grown tremendously over the years. The last two to three years we have really considered as full-time. We were privileged to minister for more than 150 dates this past year. Note that many of our dates are for revival so they are consecutive days or weeks at the time. There are fewer and fewer ministries that evangelize as a team anymore. God has blessed and opened many doors. We have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and truly speak to hearts that just need an encouraging word.

Bro. Dennis and Sister Eva are associate pastors at their home church, Blounstown Assembly. They have also opened a small thrift boutique which helps in the local community.

Bro. Buddy and Sister Candace and daughters Hailey and Hannah have just recently been led to move to be a part of their new home church, Cypress Grove Assembly. Both families actively work in their churches with the sound systems, choir, and ministry of helps when not on the road.

Only the Lord knows what tomorrow holds. With His help we plan on continuing down the road in singing, preaching, and ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If the Lord should tarry for another 10 years, then it is our prayer and desire for Him to continue to order our steps and when He does come again, that He will find us faithfully working about the Father's business.

We were very blessed in 2009 to work with Bro. Roger Fortner of The McKameys to complete our fifth project called, Forever Family. The majority of the songs incorporated in this project were written for us by a couple of friends of the ministry - Fawn Jacobs and Ken Robertson. The Lord has since blessed us to open our own studio, and we are currently beginning work for new projects on our own.

We welcome the opportunity to share the ministry that the Lord has blessed us with - most of all to share the love of the Lord with all who will listen. We may be reached by any of the following:

Vessels of Clay
P.O. Box 186
Cypress, Florida 32432
Dennis Tanton 850-592-1142 or 850-209-9365
Buddy Stephens 850-592-7236 or 850-209-8766
www.vesselsofclay.com