About Us
Testament is the Youth Choir at First United Methodist Church, Arlington, Texas. The choir has led the 8:15 a.m. worship service each week for nearly two decades. Very few churches are blessed with a youth choir that performs this service week in and week out.
Testament also prepares special Advent, Christmas, and Easter music for the church each year, and will periodically performs special musical programs for the church and community. Testament helps lead Youth Ministry Sunday (a youth-led worship service), and present a special performance of music prepared for their annual summer choir tour.
Testament tour involves more than just singing. The students work in mission in the communities they visit; explore historic and interesting locations and have a bit of fun along the way. But the a major purpose of the trip is help these students learn more about who Christ is and who Christ can be in their lives, create a joyous sound, and live a spiritual experience like no other. Each night on the trip is closed with a student led worship time of song, prayer and reflection.
Testament has a long history of serving Christ through song. The Testament tour has been a tradition off and on since the 1970's. With the arrival of Paul Arrendell as director in the late '90's that tradition was revitalized. Testament has traveled yearly since 1998. Those early trips were adventurous, taking only 20 to 25 students many of whom also played various wind and string instruments during performances. Each year the group group grew in number.
With the arrival of Greg Haugen as the new director in 2005, Testament has continued to grow. The 2010 Tour to Disneyworld in Florida was the largest group ever. Forty-six students and eight adults traveled across the southern states spreading Christ's Joy. At that time because of transportation issues, it was thought that there wouldn't be any way to take a larger group. But God knew better, and this year the group is even larger. Testament will be travelling with fifty-eight students and ten adults. Requiring a chartered bus and a following van. God is Good, and always seems to provide.
Faces of Testament
The Students - Being involved in Testament requires only a desire to sing praise to God; and a willingness to be at church very early every Sunday morning and rehearsals Sunday afternoons. FUMCA is blessed to have over 60 students active in the Youth Choir program. The group travelling this year will include one incoming 7th grader; 16-8th graders; 12-Freshmen; 10-Sophomores; 5-Juniors; 11-Seniors; and 1 recent graduate. These students include All-District, All Region and All State in choral or instrumental disciplines. Several students are involved in the Underground band (Youth Praise & Worship) as well as taking an active role in leadership in the Youth Ministry and serving on Church committees.
Greg Haugen - Director - Greg has directed Testament Youth Choir since 2005. Directing Testament and leading the congregation in song at the 8:15 AM service each week. During the week he is the Choir Director at Nichols Junior High School in Arlington. He has a degree in Choral Music from Dallas Baptist University. He also directs and sings with Lifesong, FUMCA's contemporary Christian band, which leads worship each Sunday in the 10:50 AM Celebration Service.
John Williams - Accompanist - John has served as Assistant Chancel Choir Director and organist for 32 years as a member of the FUMCA music staff. He has served as the accompanist for the Testament Youth Choir for 15 trips. He also serves as the organist in the 8:15 AM service. John sings with the Chancel Choir and/or plays the organ in the 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM services. During the week John is the Principal of Boren Elementary in Mansfield, Texas
Roger Stephens - Tour Coordinator - Roger has been involved in Testament tour since 1998. He has been responsible for planning all aspects of the trip since 2003. He supports FUMCA as Technical Services Coordinator providing support for audio/video and computer needs throughout the church campus. Roger has a degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Texas Wesleyan. During the week he is a Performance Improvement Specialist with Oncor Electric Delivery. 
Testament Sponsors - Much of what Testament is able to accomplish would not be possible without the support of caring and dedicated adults. From helping with fundraisers and special projects to travelling with the group on tour, parents and staff alike are an integral part of Testament. On tour, sponsors supervise work teams, chaperone activities and guide spiritual discussions. Many sponsors have travelled with the group on numerous tours. It is an honor and privilege that is hard to give up. Testament News
Check it Out! All of our performances have been booked. We have added the National Anthem at the Travelers baseball game as well. Having to rework our housing plans for Little Rock, BUT - Never fear it will work out great!
Wow! Just got word about the Olenjacks fundraiser. $881!!! That is almost double last year. Be sure to thank your family and friends for helping make this a success! Now that we are taking an extra van, this will come in handy.
After a number of discussions, lots of prayer and some accounting wizardry we have worked things out an this year only we are going to be able to ad...d a 15-passenger van. By doing this we are now able to take up to 58 total students. So as of now, the 11 students that were on the waiting list are officially on the travelling roster. We announced this today in rehearsal.
Over 130 years and thousands of lives changed in Arlington
