From Despair to Ripley's Believe It or Not to Author

From Despair to Ripley's Believe It or Not to Author

Singing hymns brings glory to God and sets a world record

DENVER, May 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- "No matter what your background or the problems you face in life, God can use you to His glory." That is the central message Terry Dwight Coleman extends to readers in his book Don't Give Up-Don't Give In: A True Story of the Struggles of a World-Record Hymn Singer paperback, (978-1-60477-465-8). "With God all things are possible," he reminds us.

The fifty-seven year old African American author believes his book will inspire those who seek a way out of life's struggles. Having overcome a troubled background and passed through many "danger, toils and snares," as the words of a hymn say, Coleman believes his testimony will help readers look to God for solutions to their problems. He believes it is "a story that needs to be told."

The author was abandoned by his mother and raised by his grandmother and aunts and grew into an adult with no sense of purpose. Despite being married and a father he turned to alcoholism. But, as he relates in his book, a friend invited him to attend church, rekindling his childhood religious inclinations. His conversion gave his life new meaning and direction. It was then he realized his voice was a gift and desired to use his singing to glorify God.

Coleman, who in 2005, sang a record-breaking 849 church hymns for 40 hours 17 minuets, to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless, has vowed to donate twenty percent of his royalties to four different charities that help the homeless.

Terry Dwight Coleman and his wife, Sebbie, have three children and eight grandchildren. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 2000, and is a paralegal.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the Christian publisher of his book.

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