Welcome to the official web site for Eternal Vision Ministries. Thank you for taking the time to stop in and learn more about our ministry. On the pages of this web site we will attempt to share some insight into our beliefs, our motivations, and our mission. We feel honored to be given the opportunity to serve God all across the country through the vehicle of Southern Gospel Music. We ask that you remember us in your prayers as we strive to do God's will.

Eternal Vision has always been and will continue to be, first and foremost, a ministry. We care about you, we want you to know that God loves you and has a plan for your life. Please take the time to visit our guest book and let us know you've visited our site. Also, if there is a need in your life that we can stand with you in prayer about, please enter it on our "Prayer Request" page. We believe in the awesome power of prayer and we pledge to lift your need up to the Lord in prayer. Thank you again for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you in person at a concert or service near you. You can visit our "Schedule" page to find out when we'll be in a town near you.

Mike Shelby
Mike Shelby is the founder and manager of Eternal Vision Ministries and handles all the booking for the group. He was born the son of a Baptist minister in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike has been singing Southern Gospel music since he accepted Christ as his personal savior in his early teens. He has played lead guitar in several groups before forming Eternal Vision in 1989. Mike plays guitar and piano as well as singing lead and baritone. Mike's powerful voice and his uncanny ability to convey the meaning in a song lays the foundation for an exciting worship experience. His sincerity, and enthusiasm make him a favorite with audiences across the country. Mike currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife Gail and their daughter Kari. When he’s not on the road, Mike runs Eternal Vision Productions recording studio in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Birthday: 2/22/59

Favorite Food: steak, catfish, and chocolate cherry cake

Favorite Song: Old Ship of Zion (the way my Dad sings it)

Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 28: 19-20

Likes: golf, Southern Gospel Music, surfing eBay, and having "Bus Puppy" around to help me out!

Dislikes: being late, mechanical things that don't work right, and "GOOZELIN'"

Favorite Anecdote From the Road:
A few weeks back, Stuart had some dental work done. His front tooth had gotten loose so he went to the dentist to get it worked on. The dentist pulled the loose tooth and then cemented it back as a temporary solution until he could get the bridge made. Well this was the weekend before NQC and we had just finished singing at a church in Indiana on Saturday night. It was late when we finished singing and we went to dinner at a steak house. Stuart's tooth had been holding in there pretty good and he was being very careful about what he ate. We were used to seeing Stuart hit the groceries pretty hard! Seeing him cut everything up and take little bites was, in itself, pretty funny to watch. Well, we're sitting at the table with several other folks and I look over at Stuart who has just taken a bite out of a dinner roll and he has a look on his face that is somewhere between total shock and unbelievable terror! It was then that I realized, the only thing that can inspire that kind of look is a missing tooth! Stuart started to excuse himself from the table. I don't know if you have ever heard anyone try to speak without pulling their lips apart, but it is FUNNY! Well, after we got settled down and finished eating, we headed to Walmart to get some Krazy Glue. Stuart glued the tooth back and we made it the week through NQC. He's got the problem fixed permanently now but I still don't think he's eaten another roll since!

Gail Shelby
Gail Shelby is Mike’s wife and has also been with the group since its beginning. Originally the bass guitarist for the group, she stepped up to take over the alto/tenor vocals for the group in 1998. The daughter of a Baptist minister, she grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her beautifully smooth voice give her solos a uniquely soulful quality. Gail has a natural ability to “connect” with an audience and brings a unique “female” perspective to the quartet. In addition to her singing duties, Gail also handles all the book-keeping responsibilities for the ministry. Additionally, Gail has recently undertaken a position as a Mary Kay beauty consultant and is also a mortgage broker in Knoxville.

Birthday: 5/1/guess

Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 21:22

Favorite Food: pinto beans and corn bread

Favorite Song: It changes from time to time but right now it's "I'll Find You Again by The Perry's

Likes: good clean fun, eating, roller coasters

Dislikes: fake people, the guy's smelly socks, the long trip home on Sunday nights.

Favorite Anecdote From the Road:
I have so many, but one that stands out in my mind is the time that we had sung in another state on Saturday night and we were late getting away. It took us all night to get the next destination so we had to hurriedly set up our equipment and product table. People started coming into the Church for Sunday School, so I ran out to the bus to get my bags and go to the restroom to try and clean up. Mind you we had not had time to get a bath, so my hair was a mess, my makeup, (what was left) was black under my eyes, I had on sweat pants, sweat shirt and tennis shoes. So with my little bag I slipped into the ladies restroom to find a little ole lady standing at the sink. I was surprised to see her, so I said, "I'm just going to clean up a little bit", she looked carefully around the bathroom and then replied, "Honey it looks pretty clean to me". She thought I was the cleaning lady. I was pretty embarrassed and she was too, when I took the stage later that morning.

Shannon Shelby
Shannon Shelby is the son of Mike and Gail and is a young man whose musical abilities are nothing short of phenomenal. He has been with the ministry since its early years and is an accomplished drummer, guitarist, bass guitarist, and pianist. Shannon’s vocal talents match his instrumental accomplishments. He has the ability to croon a ballad, belt out a powerful anthem, or deliver an “edgy” contemporary song. His vocal style is often compared to Guy Penrod. Shannon’s youthful enthusiasm makes him an instant favorite with young and old alike. He is bringing a new audience to Southern Gospel music. In addition to his other talents, Shannon is also a great song writer and the musical arranger for the group. More impressive than his musical ability is the fact that he has chosen to use his considerable talent in God’s service. His commitment to ministry is genuine and heartfelt and serves as a remarkable example to others his age. Shannon currently resides in Knoxville Tennessee.

Birthday: 6/29/1983

Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8:28

Favorite Food: STEAK!!! (or any other beef)

Favorite Song: "Where No One Stands Alone" by Mosie Lister

Likes: Listening to, playing, and surrounding myself with as much music as possible, and playing Sony PS2

Dislikes: Riding next to tractor trailers that can't stay in their lane, The response "the sky" when I ask someone "what's up?" and finally, the many incorrect versions of our group name such as, The Eternal Vision Sangers, The Eternal Visions, Internal Vision, or Greater Vision :-) (Greater Vision ain't crazy about that one either!) ect. ect.

Favorite Anecdote From the Road:
have been on the road so long that there are too many to mention! A couple of my favorites though are the time I set the back of the bus on fire with a pillow and a lamp, and the time I sneezed in Gary's mouth in the dark one night, or maybe the way I kept managing to mash Gary's bad toe! I didn't mean to, it just worked out that way!

 

Stuart Stallings
Stuart Stallings is the newest member of the Eternal Vision family. Like the others in the group, Stuart was raised in church where his dad was the Minister of Music at John Sevier Baptist, Glenwood Baptist and Arlington Baptist in Knoxville, TN. Stuart sang bass with Won Heart for six years before coming to Eternal Vision in May of 2004. He has developed a reputation as one of the smoothest bass voices in Southern Gospel. In addition to a rich bass voice, Stuart is also the "class clown" and his antics often elicit smiles from the most somber countenances. Stuart also plays guitar and is a songwriter. He currently lives in Morristown, Tennessee with his wife Jan and their daughters Stephanie and Rebecca. Having accepted Christ as his personal Savior when he was eight years old, Stuart is solidly committed to serving the Lord with his talents and his time

Birthday: October 27th, 1959

Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8:28

Favorite Food: "ALL OF IT! except Sour Kraut!"

Favorite Song: "Sinner Saved By Grace"

Likes: Serving the Lord, fishing, golf, writing songs, traveling, homecomings, country ham biscuits, good goozelin' and spending time with my family!

Dislikes: "HEAT and HUMIDITY!"

Favorite Anecdote From the Road:
"We recently sang at a Seventh Day Adventist Church and as I often do, I was explaining to the congregation how much I enjoyed country ham biscuits. Well, I went on and on about it every chance I got. At the break, one of the sweet ladies in the church confided in me that Adventists did not eat pork and that it was contrary to their beliefs! I was VERY embarrassed! The people in the church were very sweet about it and I went back after the break and explained to them that I had meant to say CORN not PORK! I found out that I don't like the taste of my FOOT!"