Platinum selling, award-winning Word Records recording artist and Kansas native, Mark Schultz, presented a benefit concert May 31 at the Dodge City Civic Center for the city of Greensburg, KS. In the wake of one of the worst natural disasters to strike Kansas, Schultz donated 100% of the concert and event merchandise proceeds to relief efforts in the Greensburg area, giving thousands of dollars to a town devastated by an F5 tornado May 4th.

Growing up in Colby, KS and attending Kansas State University makes this both a homecoming for Schultz and a way to tangibly stand with his fellow Kansans. “This really hits a home run for me,” says Schultz. “I wanted to be able to help out these wonderful people in some way. It was a night that raised some money, but I really wanted to encourage the residents and the community that they’ll get through this.”

Mark Schultz (centre) tours Greensburg with (l-r) Delvin Kinser, KJIL Radio’s news director; Christian Easterling, tour manager; and Tim Atkinson, Greensburg assistant city manager

Schultz toured Greensburg the morning of May 31st and witnessed first hand the devastation the town is facing. He also saw the community come together and help each other pick up after the mess that the deadly tornados had left behind.

“This morning we went to Greensburg and one thing I’m reminded of is that we’re here for one reason, and that is to lift up those folks who went through that,” said Schultz at his concert on May 31st. “It reminded me of the gospel as I walked through there because God is about redemption and He’s about bringing about newness. I saw something in my own heart, and thought, ‘this town looks like the way my heart feels sometimes’.” “God is going to do something powerful and new over there,” continues Schultz, “the same way he does powerful and new things in our hearts.”

Raising nearly $80,000 for orphans and widows thus far on his cross-country bicycle trip across America, Schultz continues his journey from California to New Hampshire. He is posting daily video blogs documenting his journey across the nation, as well as completing a daily 60-second update from the road that is being offered to radio stations across the country through Westar Media Group. To date, over 100 stations are using the updates to inform their listeners.

Schultz is also stopping along the way to perform concerts featuring music from his acclaimed, best-selling album, Broken & Beautiful. More information about the Across America ride, including tour dates, how to sponsor Mark, video blog updates, and Mark’s progress can be found at www.markacrossamerica.org.

For additional information on Schultz, visit his YMZ artist page.