Hands were clapping and feet were tapping on Saturday, March 2 when the Wissmann Family Band returned to Miami Springs.

    This was the Wissmann Family’s fourth visit to Miami Springs. The event was sponsored by Miami Bible Church and took place inside the Miami Springs Baptist Church. The doors were opened for the talented family, who shared the gospel and music with close to 100 guests who came out for the event.

    The Wissmann Family came to the River Cities area all the way from the Midwest. They traveled in their 45-foot bus and inside were a load of talent. Though the bus was full, it was not as full as it used to be. The family was made up of a 15-member band, but in the past few years they have dwindled down to just 12 members. A few of the older children are now married and have started families of their own.

    The crowd enjoyed a blend of gospel and bluegrass and a few traditional hymns that featured Loren and Gloria Wissmann with their 11 children. Their musical talent might be passed from generation to generation, but this homeschooled family has definitely put a lot of hard work into perfecting their talent.

    Each of the children were an essential part of the concert, singing in harmonies and playing a wide variety of instruments, including guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, cello and keyboards.

    “What a terrific evening. I loved their message,” said Cheryl Diez, mother of six. “I loved seeing how each person in the family contributed to the concert and the way the children interacted with one another was beautiful!”

    The Wissmann family travels have taken them as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico. Their events have ranged from church services to conferences, conventions, county fairs, retirement parks and Christian schools, and Mr. Wissmann’s favorite place to visit is when the family visits those in prison.

    “We’ve been involved with prison ministry for about seven to eight years,” said Loren Wissman. “I have found that some people in prison are a lot freer than some people I see outside of prison because freedom is not based on where we are physically, but really what’s on the inside. There are many men and women who are in prison who are free, free in Christ.

    “These people have one thing in common; they’ve come to recognize the need for Jesus Christ. All of us have that need, but to recognize it is a whole different thing. Some of those men have been to the pit of hell, yet now they are free.”

    With songs like “Lord I Need You” and “Revive Us Again,” the family is not bashful about their true mission and their true passion to share the hope and promise that they have found. In every song they deliver the gospel in a fun and foot-tapping way.

    “Their music reminds me of when I was a little boy, when I lived up in Wildwood, Fla.,” shared Israel Johnson, who spent his younger years in the country and is now 12 years old. “It is so cool how they know how to play so many instruments.”

    Loren and Gloria met in 1977 while serving side by side in the music ministry. They were married in 1980, moved to Nebraska and soon started their own family. After 321⁄2 years of marriage, their vision of sharing the gospel and the gift of music has multiplied considerably. Since 1999 they have shared their gifts and talents, serving side by side in the music ministry with a big and blessed family by their side.

    As head of the household with 13 children, Loren Wissmann is always quick to share and encourage other parents in the awesome responsibility of being a parent.

    “Of anything that’s on the heart of a parent as your children are growing up, I diligently encourage parents to pray for the future spouses of your children,” Wissmann said. “That is so crucial and God will honor those prayers. It’s really exciting to watch God bring lives together and establish new households.”

    The family will be coming back to Miami next year, only next time they’ll be traveling on a ship instead of a bus. They’ll be sailing away as guest performers with the Sail and Sing Christian Cruise on board the Majesty of the Seas with Royal Caribbean along with other musicians and pastors.

    More and more doors have opened for the Wissmann Family and opportunities have steadily increased. The family is eager to keep their message clear and true to God's word. Their music and personal testimonies will remain the center of their focus as they share their timeless message of sacrificial love and hope and this tightly knit family brings a breath of fresh air to every door that is opened for them.