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Group members Denise Jones, Shelley Phillips, Heather Floyd, and Terry Jones have a resume most Christian musicians can only dream about. Within their three years in the Christian music industry, they've released twelve consecutive number-one hits&151;an unprecedented feat in any genre of music. Their first two pop recordings&151;Point of Grace and The Whole Truth (both with Word Records)&151;have garnered five Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The group keeps popping up in national publications such as USA Today and Ladies' Home Journal and on national talk shows such as LIVE with Regis & Kathie Lee. With a third recording and a new book, both titled Life, Love & Other Mysteries, fresh in stores, they're poised for even more success.
Recently I had the opportunity to spend a day with Christian music's dream team to see how they've managed to accomplish so much so quickly yet retain their friendships, their marriages (Denise and Terry are both married—and, no, they're not related), and their sanity. After seeing them in concert in suburban Chicago a year earlier, I wondered if they were really as close to each other off-stage as their good-natured banter on stage suggested.
That night at the concert I also caught a glimpse of Point of Grace's passion for purity when Heather boldly proclaimed, "I'm twenty-five and I'm a virgin. It is possible." I was as struck by their likeable and professional stage presence as I'd been by their candor backstage before the show, when Shelley told me I reminded her of an old college friend of theirs. As a fellow twentysomething, I was curious to see if, after spending a day with these extraordinary women, they would remind me of my friends. I wanted to know if and how sudden success changed them and challenged their faith in Jesus Christ, so I hopped a plane to Nashville—home of Point of Grace and hub of Christian music—to find out firsthand.
The morning of the interview, Shelley meets me at the door of the townhouse she shares with Heather and their friend Rondolyn, a waitress, in a quiet, tree-lined suburban neighborhood. Shelley's wearing a black knit pantsuit that makes her look artist-like—a switch from the preppy denim, floral prints, and coordinated white pantsuits Point of Grace has sported for tours and photo shoots in the past.
She says hi, greeting me with a friendly, confident voice. Trying not to trip over the small yapping dog at her feet, she rolls her eyes and explains, "This is Darla." The three of us walk down the front hallway to a burgundy and hunter green living room accented with Victorian touches of dried flowers and lace. I'm caught offguard by how "normal" their home seems—a plaid couch, brass candlesticks, a comfy-looking afghan. The only hints of Shelley and Heather's musical success are the fax machine that's hidden under an end table and the large plaques from the group's alma mater, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, that hang on the adjoining dining room wall, dubbing Heather and Shelley "Worthy Ouachitonians" for their musical excellence.
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