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Musical Ministry Hopes to Help Children with HIV/AIDS

In a time of job loss, orange alerts, war and other stresses and fears, Claude Cummings and three talented friends are hoping their "ministry through song" brings some comfort - as well as some much-needed dollars to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

"That's what it's about, it's a ministry to us," said Cummings, president of CWA Local 6222 in Houston, and one of the original members of the gospel group Endurance. "There's so many people who are downtrodden right now, there are layoffs, illness, now we have the war. The message we want to get out is that there is hope."

Cummings and his friends, Earl Sampson, a pharmacist, and Michael Robertson, a mortgage broker, have been singing and performing together since high school. About five years ago, Carl Stewart, an SBC manager and former CWA member, joined the group. Recently, they produced their first CD, called "A Few More Miles." The music and lyrics were written by another former SBC manager and past CWA member, Johnny Shephard.

"What the title means is that we're not through with our journey yet," Cummings said. "We've got a few more miles."

As part of his journey, Cummings wants to build hope for children with HIV/AIDS. His group is giving $5 to the cause for each $15 CD purchased online by CWA families. It can be ordered at www.musicbyendurance.com. Cummings said CWA buyers should simply type "CWA" after their names on the online order form, and that will flag the purchase for a donation to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, CWA's charity of choice.

"This isn't about money for us," he said. "God blessed all of us with good jobs and a good income."

Tracks from the CD, particularly the song "New Way," are getting airplay on radio stations around the country, and satellite radio, leading to some placement in music stores. Cummings said. Ironically, he said the group considered "New Way" a "filler song," not one they expected to become popular.

Endurance does many shows in the Houston area and travels, too, recently performing at the Gospel Music Workshop in Dayton, Ohio. Upcoming shows are in New York City and Florida.

Cummings said the group enjoys feedback and encourages people to e-mail them at musicbyendurance@prodigy.net. "We love to hear what people are thinking about our music," he said.