Rory was a Nashville songwriter, while Joey was an aspiring young country singer. They met in a little cafe where Rory was performing. Joey knew she would spend forever with Rory—and she told him so! Four months later they were married. They would later go on to become a famous married singing duo and the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award’s “Top New Vocal Duo.”
At the hight of Joey and Rory’s married career they took a year off to get out of the spotlight on their little farm, but the Lord led them down a road they never would have imagined. A daughter born with Down Syndrome, and a cancer diagnosis that would take Joey home to the Lord just two years after her daughter’s birth.
But Joey and Rory’s story is more than their suffering … it is full of the joy that only Jesus can bring to the heartbreak of life. Following Joey’s death, Rory pieced together footage he’d taken of their family over the last few years and called it To Joey, With Love. When I watched this documentary with my wife, Janet, we were profoundly touched by their love … not just the love between Joey and Rory, but also the love they share for Jesus. We watched it through tears and I can hardly make it through the preview without choking up.
When they began filming, Rory thought he was just documenting their first year together with their new daughter. But when Joey discovered she had cancer a few months after giving birth, they knew they were telling a bigger story. This is apparent in the final studio album they produced together called Hymns That Are Important to Us, as well as this powerful documentary.
From the birth of their daughter Indiana through Joey’s struggle with and ultimate surrender to cancer—I’d like for you to watch To Joey, With Love and then listen to the hymns that gave Joey and Rory peace in Christ. Just follow the link below to make your gift to Haven Ministries and request the Joey + Rory CD and DVD combo.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As the leader of the Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” A former secular journalist, Charles has worked for United Press International, and as a press secretary for two former U.S. senators. He and his wife, Janet, have authored several books, including Missing Jesus. Charles’ latest book is Fleeing ISIS, Finding Jesus: The Real Story of God At Work.
Most of the thoughts above are taken from broadcasts of Haven Today. Corum Hughes serves as the editor of this blog and coordinator for Haven’s social media content. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Corum lives in Boise, ID with his wife Molly.