Christian singer Boltz shares love of country

On his current album, Ray Boltz says thanks.

The album, “Honor and Glory,” touches on regular Boltz themes — including faith, hope and encouragement — but he’s added a healthy dose of patriotism as well.

Boltz, who will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bangor Auditorium, traces the connection between God and country back to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. But the patriotism of such Boltz songs as “This Is America” is more personal.

“Because I’ve played in so many different Third World countries, and seen the conditions there, I wanted to say something about being grateful to live here, where I’m free to express my religious beliefs,” Boltz said.

On “Honor and Glory,” Boltz praises the efforts of veterans (“An Honor to Serve”) and police officers (“Fallen Not Forgotten”). He admits that the release took an unusual direction for an inspirational Christian album.

“It was a real risk to do this, because it’s not a traditional Christian theme,” he said by phone from his Munice, Ind., office. “But I wanted to tell veterans, `Thank you for your service.”‘

At concerts on the “Honor and Glory” tour, Boltz recognizes veterans and military personnel in the audience by having them stand for applause.

“One of the great rewards has been having veterans coming up to me, thanking me and giving me hats and pins,” he said.

Another Boltz cause, for which he collects at concerts, is Mission of Mercy. Started in 1945 in Calcutta, India, the organization is now in a dozen countries, providing food, shelter, education and medical care to the poor, especially children.

The group kept asking Boltz to come and perform, and so he traveled to India about five years ago.

“I saw the work they were doing, feeding 20,000 daily on the streets of Calcutta,” he recalled. “Then I went to Bangladesh, where a group of orphans sang [his song] `Thank You’ to me in English. After that, I was hooked.”

Another group Boltz is involved with is the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Members of the group attend motorcycle rallies, providing water and free repairs to bikers. “We’re trying to minister to a group of people that doesn’t go to church, or if they did, might not be accepted because of how they dress,” he said.

Boltz is now in the studio working an album of inspirational classics, called, fittingly, “The Classics,” which should be out next April.

He has also started a children’s music label. The album “Quiet Moments for a Child’s Heart,” due out next fall, is composed on Boltz’s story songs and quiet ballads, and is packaged with a devotional book. “We’re trying to give young parents encouragement for the future,” said the father of four.

After working in Christian music since the ’70s, Boltz started performing full time in 1986, when he released the album “Watch the Lamb.”

“That was right after my fourth child was born, and it was a leap of faith to step out then, but it’s worked out,” he said.

Quite so, as the Word recording artist has released 11 albums and 12 No. 1 singles, and has earned two Dove awards.

He’s seen quite a few positive changes during his Christian music career.

“The acceptance of Christian music has changed, as it’s available everywhere now,” he said. “Also there’s a broadening acceptance of more styles of Christian music, from traditional to contemporary. No matter what your musical persuasion is, you can use that style to express your faith.”

Tickets for the Ray Boltz concert are available at the Bangor Auditorium box office, all TicketMaster locations and select area Christian bookstores, or can be charged by calling 775-3331.