A pastor from Mississippi is one of the nine finalists in NBC’s singing competition show, The Voice.
Todd Tilghman, the lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian, Miss., advanced from the round of 17 to the round of nine after singing Peter Cetera's 1986 song, Glory of Love, this week. Tilghman is a member of Team Blake, meaning he worked with and was coached by country singer Blake Shelton.
Although the series normally takes place in front of a live audience, the pandemic has forced the singers to perform at remote locations.
Shelton called Tilghman’s performance “incredible.”
“You have got to vote for this man,” Shelton urged the television audience.
Shelton told Tilghman, “You are one of my favorite artists that I've ever worked with. In 100 years of doing this show, you’re a class to be around. You deserve to go all the way, man. Great job.”
Glory of Love was featured in the 1986 movie Karate Kid II.
“Todd, you literally are the Karate Kid,” Shelton joked.
Tilghman has been married to his wife, Brooke, for 21 years. They have eight children.
“I’ve literally never performed. I just sing at church,” Tilghman told the panel of coaches in February after his first performance.
He told fans in a Facebook video this week, “I am so very grateful.”
The pandemic has forced changes to The Voice but also to Tilghman’s church, which has gone virtual. He preached Sunday on Matthew 25:14-19, the Parable of the Talents. The sermon was streamed live on Facebook.
“Take those talents that the Master gave you before we were separated and multiply those during this time, so that when we come back together, you’ll come back with more than you left with,” he told the members of Cornerstone during his sermon Sunday.
Tilghman’s Facebook page was filled this week with words of congratulations from fans.
“You deserve it … Remember … I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me … Philippians 4:13,” one person wrote.
“I had no doubt I just knew it. God is good! Congratulations so very proud of you & for you,” another person wrote.
The Voice airs on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays.
Photo courtesy: The Voice
Video courtesy: The Voice
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
