JACKSON, Tenn. — March 25, 2013 — 51社区 music professor Michael Mann conducted an orchestra for an Israel Ministry of Tourism breakfast March 3 during the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention in Nashville.
It was the fourth consecutive year for Mann to lead the orchestra
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor,鈥� said Mann, assistant professor of music. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen spiritual difference in the lives of people who visit Israel.鈥�
The Israel Ministry of Tourism sponsors the annual breakfast to generate support for visiting Israel. Mann said of 2 million visitors to the nation last year, 70 percent were Christians.
This year鈥檚 breakfast was different from previous events in that it was an acknowledgment of the 65th anniversary of Israel鈥檚 statehood. Dignitaries from Israel and leaders from the NRB were in attendance.
Mann鈥檚 relationship with the Israeli organization began when he was minister of music at Two Rivers Baptist Church, across the street from the Opryland Hotel, where the convention is held each year. Four years ago, the Israel Ministry of Tourism asked Two Rivers to host the event since there was a scheduling conflict at the hotel.
Mann conducted the orchestra that year, and the relationship continued in the years to follow. Mann also led the orchestra at a similar event for the Israel Ministry of Tourism during last year鈥檚 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans, and will do so again at this year鈥檚 meeting in Houston.