Editing Rich Mullins (section)

== Biography ==
=== Early life ===
[[File:Black and White picture of Christian Music Singer Rich Mullins and his First Band.png|thumb|Mullins ''(third from right)'' performing in 1979, seen here with his band Zion]]

Richard Wayne Mullins was born to John Mullins, a tree farmer, and Neva Mullins, whose ancestors were [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]].<ref>An Arrow Pointing to Heaven Smith, JB (2000) B & H Publishing Group Nashville, Tennessee {{ISBN|978-0-8054-2635-9}} p. 12, 13</ref> He had two sisters and two brothers. The family called him by his middle name, Wayne, which he went by until college, when his friends called him Richard. Mullins grew up attending Arba Friends Meeting, a church in [[Lynn, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Selleck |first = Linda |date = April 3, 1998 |title = A Ragamuffin Music Man: Rich Mullins |magazine = Quaker Magazine }}</ref> The Quaker testimonies of [[peace testimony|peace]] and [[social justice]] later inspired many of his lyrics. When Mullins was in elementary school, his family moved and started attending Whitewater Christian Church, which he attended until he graduated.<ref name="The Life of a Ragamuffin">{{cite web |url = http://www.candletothesun.com/richard-wayne-rich-mullins.html |title = The Life of a Ragamuffin |publisher = A Candle to the Sun |access-date = May 25, 2016 |archive-date = May 18, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160518131746/http://www.candletothesun.com/richard-wayne-rich-mullins.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Mullins was baptized when he was in the 3rd grade.<ref name="Lufkin, Texas, July '97">{{cite web |url = http://www.kidbrothers.net/words/concert-transcripts/lufkin-texas-jul1997.html |title = Lufkin Texas, July '97 |access-date = August 16, 2008 |archive-date = September 19, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140919025142/http://www.kidbrothers.net/words/concert-transcripts/lufkin-texas-jul1997.html |url-status = live }}</ref> His great-grandmother taught him to play hymns and sing in [[four-part harmony]] when he was very young,<ref>{{cite web |last = Lewis |first = Jack |url = http://jacklewis.net/weblog/archives/2002/09/in_memory_of_ri.php |title = Danny Carlton – alias "Jack Lewis": In memory of Rich Mullins |publisher = Jacklewis.net |date = September 19, 2002 |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130502235534/http://jacklewis.net/weblog/archives/2002/09/in_memory_of_ri.php |archive-date = May 2, 2013 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> and he began to study classical piano with a Quaker teacher while in elementary school. He graduated from [[Northeastern High School (Indiana)|Northeastern High School]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.courierpress.com/features/movies/ind-art-museum-to-feature-film-on-late-musician-ep-296664338-324751881.html |title = Ind. art museum to feature film on late musician |newspaper = Evansville Courier & Press |date = December 29, 2013 |access-date = May 25, 2016 |archive-date = August 5, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160805031247/http://www.courierpress.com/features/movies/ind-art-museum-to-feature-film-on-late-musician-ep-296664338-324751881.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

Mullins was inspired when [[the Beatles]] first appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' in 1964. The event helped Mullins understand the influence of music.<ref name="Newcomb">{{cite magazine |last = Newcomb |first = Brian |date = June 13, 1992 |title = Step By Step, A Conversation with Rich Mullins |magazine = CCM Magazine }}</ref> He was a fan of the Beatles music, and he was able to identify with [[John Lennon]] in particular, despite philosophical differences.<ref name="auto">{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP0NGqymiMU |title = Rich Mullins - Michigan Interview, 1988 |access-date = June 15, 2016 |archive-date = November 13, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151113053051/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP0NGqymiMU |url-status = live }}</ref> In his song "Elijah", written around the time of Lennon's murder, he included the phrase "candlelight in [[Central Park]]." This was a reference to the [[candlelight vigil]]s held in the wake of the event.<ref name="Newcomb" /> The places of the vigils went on to become a permanent [[Strawberry Fields (memorial)|memorial to John Lennon]].

An important part of Mullins' early musical experience was being the pianist, songwriter and vocalist for the New Creations Choir in Richmond, Indiana, which was started by Tim and Bonnie Cummings in the early 1970s. The choir toured numerous states in its own bus and even produced an album. New Creations is a church and school for teens, and Mullins was a contributing factor in its beginning.<ref name="The Life of a Ragamuffin" />

From 1974 to 1978, Mullins attended [[Cincinnati Christian University|Cincinnati Bible College]]. He worked in a parking garage to help pay for his schooling. During this time, Mullins performed with a college band, and later the band Zion, who released one album, for which he wrote all the songs.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.kidbrothers.net/rmml/rmml03.html |title = Rich Mullins Mailing list 103 |publisher = kidbrothers.net |date = April 17, 1995 |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = October 25, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141025134539/http://www.kidbrothers.net/rmml/rmml03.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

From 1975 to 1978, he was the youth pastor and music director at the [[United Methodist Church]] in [[Erlanger, Kentucky|Erlanger]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111005154601/http://www.erlangerumc.org/mullins.htm erlangerumc.org/mullins]}}</ref> Mullins was then focusing on his duties in the church, and performed minimally in public. He considered his music a hobby. His views on his music continued this way until 1978, when he took a group of teens from his church to the [[Ichthus Music Festival]] in [[Wilmore, Kentucky]]. He said that during this trip he witnessed the effect of music on the lives of young people, and decided to start pursuing music full-time.<ref>{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WOiBYv5SHA |title = Rich Mullins discusses college, youth ministry and Zion Ministries |access-date = July 2, 2016 |archive-date = November 27, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231127021907/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WOiBYv5SHA |url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Beginnings as a recording artist ===
Mullins' start in the [[Christian music industry]] occurred in mid-1981 when [[Amy Grant]] recorded his song "Sing Your Praise to the Lord."<ref name="cartoons">{{cite news |last = Yonke |first = David |date = November 18, 1995 |title = Rich Mullins 'cartoons' in catchy tunes |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YOE0AAAAIBAJ&pg=6075%2C5328078 |newspaper = Toledo Blade |access-date = May 5, 2016 |archive-date = November 27, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231127021908/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YOE0AAAAIBAJ&pg=6075,5328078 |url-status = live }}</ref> The decision was made to stop touring as "Zion," and for Mullins to start his [[Solo artist|solo]] career. He moved to [[Bellsburg, Tennessee]],<ref name="auto"/> approximately 45 minutes from [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], to begin his professional recording career.<ref name="Rich Mullins time line 1">{{cite web |url = http://audiori.net/richmullins/timeline19551974.html |title = Rich Mullins timeline 1 – audiori.net |access-date = July 21, 2023 |archive-date = July 21, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230721185336/http://audiori.net/richmullins/timeline19551974.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Mullins got engaged sometime between the late 70s and early 80s, and wrote the song "Doubly Good to You" (recorded by Amy Grant on her album ''Straight Ahead'') for his upcoming wedding. However, his fiancée broke off the engagement in 1982.<ref name="auto"/> In response to the breakup, Mullins wrote "Damascus Road".<ref>{{cite web |url = http://kidbrothers.net/words/interviews/brothers-keeper-radio-special-oct95.html |title = Brothers Keeper radio special |publisher = Kidbrothers.net |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = December 3, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203025634/http://kidbrothers.net/words/interviews/brothers-keeper-radio-special-oct95.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Rick Tarrant |url = http://kidbrothers.net/words/interviews/20-the-countdown-magazine-oct1197.html |title = 20: the Countdown Magazine remembers Rich Mullins |publisher = Kidbrothers.net |date = October 11, 1997 |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = July 25, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120725003455/http://kidbrothers.net/words/interviews/20-the-countdown-magazine-oct1197.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

Years later, Mullins shared thoughts about his relationships and personal life in a radio interview with Rick Tarrant:

{{blockquote|quote=I would always be frustrated with all those relationships even when I was engaged. I had a ten-year thing with this girl and I would often wonder why, even in those most intimate moments of our relationship, I would still feel really lonely. And it was just a few years ago that I finally realized that friendship is not a remedy for loneliness. Loneliness is a part of our experience and if we are looking for relief from loneliness in friendship, we are only going to frustrate the friendship. Friendship, camaraderie, intimacy, all those things, and loneliness live together in the same experience.<ref name="Heaven Smith 2000 p. 131, 13">An Arrow Pointing to Heaven Smith, JB (2000) B & H Publishing Group Nashville, Tennessee {{ISBN|978-0-8054-2635-9}} p. 131, 13</ref>}}

In 1987, Mullins spent time teaching conversational English in a South Korean seminary. He then served briefly as a [[Christian mission|missionary]] in Thailand where he became involved with a ministry teaching trades and providing medical care to Chinese refugees.<ref name="auto"/> He wrote the song "The Other Side of the World" about his time in Asia.

=== Kansas and the move to Navajo Nation ===
[[File:DineBikeyahBe'elyaigii.svg|thumb|The location of the [[Navajo Nation]] territory in the United States]]
During the late 1980s, Mullins desired change and formulated a plan to leave Tennessee.<ref name="Newcomb" /> He took steps to become a music teacher on a [[Native American reservation]] he had visited before.<ref name="cartoons" /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/25/christian-rocker-finds-new-life-in-the-desert/ |title = Christian Rocker Finds New Life in the Desert |publisher = Chicago Tribune. |date = April 25, 1996 |access-date = June 1, 2016 |archive-date = June 25, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625071446/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-04-25/features/9604250272_1_mullins-friends-rich-mullins-awesome-god |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1988, Mullins moved from Bellsburg to [[Wichita, Kansas]] where, in 1991, he attended [[Friends University]]. During this time he lived with his best friend, David "Beaker" Strasser. As part of his degree program, Mullins served as the choir director at West Evangelical Free Church. While in Wichita, he also regularly attended Central Christian Church. He graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]] (BA) in Music Education from Friends University on May 14, 1995.<ref>{{cite news |last = Denison |first = Paul |date = October 29, 1995 |title = Stepping Out in Faith |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qEZWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5230%2C7343759 |newspaper = Eugene Register-Guard |access-date = May 26, 2016 |archive-date = November 27, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231127021907/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qEZWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5230,7343759 |url-status = live }}</ref> His 1991 song "Calling Out Your Name" included a reference to [[The Keeper of the Plains]], a 44&nbsp;ft tall sculpture in Wichita.<ref name="Heaven Smith 2000 p. 104">An Arrow Pointing to Heaven Smith, JB (2000) B & H Publishing Group Nashville, Tennessee {{ISBN|978-0-8054-2635-9}} p. 104</ref>
{{quote box
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|quote=You have to figure out where you're most alive, most vital, and go there. For some people, that's a music career or being a housewife. For me, it's being here.|source=– Mullins on his move<ref name="Tribune">{{cite web |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/25/christian-rocker-finds-new-life-in-the-desert/ |title = Christian Rocker Finds New Life in the Desert |work = Chicago Tribune |date = April 25, 1996 |access-date = June 1, 2016 |archive-date = June 25, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625071446/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-04-25/features/9604250272_1_mullins-friends-rich-mullins-awesome-god |url-status = live }}</ref>}}

After graduation, he and [[Mitch McVicker]] moved to a [[Navajo Nation|Navajo]] reservation in [[Tse Bonito, New Mexico]] to teach music to children. Mullins and McVicker lived in a small [[hogan]] on the reservation until Mullins' death in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/25/christian-rocker-finds-new-life-in-the-desert/ |title = Christian Rocker Finds New Life in the Desert |date = April 25, 1996 |publisher = Chicago Tribune. |access-date = June 1, 2016 |archive-date = June 25, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625071446/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-04-25/features/9604250272_1_mullins-friends-rich-mullins-awesome-god |url-status = live }}</ref>

In 1996, at the Ichthus music festival, Mullins cited personal reasons for his move. He was asked if he made the move because God had called him to [[Proselytism#Christianity|proselytize]] and convert the [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. To this Mullins responded, "no. I think I just got tired of a White, [[Evangelical]], middle class perspective on God, and I thought I would have more luck finding Christ among the Pagan Navajos. I'm teaching music."<ref>{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zQOX8NmC0c |title = Rich Mullins Interview – Ichthus Festival, 1996 |access-date = May 25, 2016 |archive-date = April 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170416073010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zQOX8NmC0c |url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Philosophy and philanthropy ===
The profits from his tours and the sale of each album were entrusted to his church elders, who divided it up, paid Mullins the average salary for a laborer in the U.S. for that year, and gave the rest to charity.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.kidbrothers.net/legacy/homeless-man-video.html |title = Homeless Man video transcript |publisher = kidbrothers.net |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = July 25, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120725013647/http://www.kidbrothers.net/legacy/homeless-man-video.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Mullins was also a major supporter of [[Compassion International]]<ref name="Music and More Interview with Jon Rivers">{{cite web |url = http://kidbrothers.net/interviews/musicandmore.html |title = Music and More Interview with Jon Rivers |access-date = September 8, 2008 |archive-date = February 11, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211135020/http://kidbrothers.net/interviews/musicandmore.html |url-status = live }}</ref> and Compassion USA.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://kidbrothers.net/webpage/rmml/rmml143.html |title = Rich Mullins Mailing List 143 |publisher = kidbrothers.net |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = July 25, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120725010641/http://kidbrothers.net/webpage/rmml/rmml143.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

His philosophy can be understood by a quote he gave at a concert shortly before his death. He said,

{{blockquote|quote=Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you've done it to me. And this is what I've come to think.  That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers.  But they're just wrong.  They're not bad, they're just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you.  Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved, and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken-hearted.<ref name="Lufkin, Texas, July '97" /><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQnFU5JvuWY {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506084729/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQnFU5JvuWY |date=May 6, 2017 }}
''(The quoted speech begins at 7:40 of this video reference.)''</ref>}}

=== Roman Catholicism===
Mullins's interest in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi led to an attraction to Roman Catholicism in his final years. There was no daily Protestant service on his area of the Navajo reservation, so Mullins frequently attended daily Mass. The night before his accident, Mullins spoke to his spiritual director, Fr. Matt McGuinness, on the phone and made arrangements to formally enter the Catholic Church that weekend. He stated "This may sound strange, but I need to receive the Body and Blood of Christ."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=5876 |title = Catholic World News : Christian Singer Rich Mullins Dies; Planned To Become Catholic |publisher = Cwnews.com |date = September 22, 1997 |access-date = October 31, 2012 |archive-date = July 1, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160701220552/http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=5876 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/1998/05/06/ |title = Rich Mullins, Enigmatic, restless, Catholic |work = gospelcom.net |access-date = June 1, 2016 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20020618221716/http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/1998/05/06/ |archive-date = June 18, 2002 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, James Bryan Smith, pp53-54{{Dead link|date=October 2015}}</ref>

In 1997 Mullins declared,

{{blockquote|quote=A lot of the stuff which I thought was so different between Protestants and Catholics [was] not, but at the end of going through an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) course, I also realized that there are some real and significant differences. I'm not sure which side of the issues I come down on. My openness to Catholicism was very scary to me because, when you grow up in a church where they don't even put up a cross, many things were foreign to me. I went to an older Protestant gentleman that I've respected for years and years, and I asked him, "When does faithfulness to Jesus call us to lay aside our biases and when does it call us to stand beside them?" His answer to me was that it is not about being Catholic or Protestant. It is about being faithful to Jesus. The issue is not about which church you go to, it is about following Jesus where He leads you. “If God leads you to the Catholic Church, follow Him. So, the last couple of years now, I have been in Limbo about the whole thing. For me, it all comes down to the Eucharist. Is it really Jesus and is He present there? I think, after some pretty honest searching, I’ve come to a few dead ends that I am not going to be able to bridge by getting more information. It will just require a little more faith on my part, and it is not there yet.”<ref>Radio interview with Artie Terry, "The Exchange," WETN, Wheaton, Ill., April 1997, quoted in An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, James Bryan Smith, p54</ref>}}