'Spiritual Road' is an operating identity for Dave Butcher and Carolyn Richards as they present their musical programs. Spiritual Road Ministries is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Ohio.

Our heart is for saving souls, and more so for helping those souls learn to trust God more. We simply try to live in such a way that people want to know our 'secret'.

We see so many Christians that are still 'of the world' as well as 'in the world'.  Our calling seems to be: to bring that to their attention; to show them how joyful it is to be more trusting in God; to demonstrate and testify to His Bountiful Love. 

So many are caught up in works, in 'The Great Commission', and in the legalism of the Old Testament that Jesus rebelled against, instead of enjoying God's Love and Grace.  So many are caught up in worry and fear of the future.  So many try to use guilt, or harassment, or some other negative way to bring others into the Kingdom.  So many spread hateful rumors, and hateful emails, and demonstrate against reported "sin", sometimes when they only hear of that sin. "Hey, it sounded like a good thing to do."

Jesus rebelled against the system of the day; against the legalism of the Old Testament.  He did not condemn individuals.  Neither do we.  We invite people: (a) to join us in God's Kingdom; (b) to learn that God can help with all things, large and small; and (c) to truly know and have a personal relationship with Him.  We pray they learn to spread God's Love instead of worldly hate.

The following is information to let you know of our experience and recognition from others. We do not present it to boast.

Dave and Carolyn have been married since 1998 and love spreading God's Love and messages to the world. Both are award winning artists. They have been featured on several local and national TV shows including The Jimmy Snow Show, Music City Gospel Music Showcase, The Master's Music, and more.

Carolyn Richards is a national, and internationally known, recording artist that started out singing country music at the jams her parents held each weekend at her childhood home. She declined a recording perfomance contract with a major Nashville corporation because she had three children to raise at the time.

Once the children were grown, Carolyn began singing again. She was nominated for several awards after releasing six songs to radio from 2000-2006. Two gospel songs were in the top ten on national charts [#6 & #7]. Glory Train Express magazine listed Carolyn as the #5 most played overseas gospel artist for two months in a row! That included traditional, southern, bluegrass, and country styles of gospel music. An independent organization listed her in the top 3% of country vocalists worldwide, number 96 of more than 3500. She placed better than many of the stars you may know and love.

Dave Butcher is a certified lay speaker and author of the currently delayed but forthcoming book,"Handling Strife In Your Spiritual Life - Ideas to help you make it through your life". He spent several years as a young man living as if there were no God. After a spiritual experience at the age of twenty five, his life changed dramatically. His testimonies may regard gambling, alcohol, lying, stealing, and cheating from those early years. He may also speak of the blessings and miracles he and Carolyn have experienced over the years.

Career highlights include Carolyn co-hosting the Country Gospel Music Association's 2005 International Golden Heart Awards Show with once famous "Mercy" singer, James Marvell. It was during that show that Dave was elected "2005 International Reciter of the Year" and awarded his first Golden Heart.

In August of 2006 Carolyn was elected "New Female Artist of the Year" by her peers at the CGMA Eastern USA convention. She does not usually care to receive awards, but was honored by this one.

Dave was elected "Reciter of the Year" for four years in a row 2005-2008, and "Lyricist of the Year" for two years, 2007-2008, by the Eastern USA division of the CGMA. With one notable exception, Red Sovine's "Teddy Bear", Dave writes his own recitations. Check our 'Music' link for more information. Go to our MySpace page to listen to a couple.

Spiritual Road released two songs to radio in March 2012. Carolyn's version of "God On The Mountain" reached #1 the week ending April 3. Dave's musical recitation, "A Baby Was Born" reached #5 the following week. Both songs were in the top twenty every week through June 5, 2012. "God On The Mountain" is #13 week ending June 12.

"When I Met Stan" is a moving recitation written and often recited by Dave Butcher. It demonstrates that drugs can kill, even at a young age, and involves the resulting grief of a spouse, witnessing by people on a bus, gratitude, and faith. It is included on SR's Travelin' CD along with several other recitations and songs.

Dave's testimony recitation can be viewed by clicking here. It is his 'testimony in a nutshell'. He may recite this poem when Spiritual Road is doing something other than their testimony program. See the Programs link at left.

Dave and Carolyn have met and performed with many of the stars of country and gospel music, from Brooks & Dunn, Merle Haggard, and Bill Anderson, to Barbara Fairchild [1973 Country Song of the Year "The Teddy Bear Song" and 2008 inductee into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame], and from Jeff and Sheri Easter, Young Harmony, The Fox Brothers, and many more to "The Tall Texan" Billy Walker and Dottie Rambo, whose sudden deaths impacted them greatly. Dave & Carolyn found many to be loving, caring saints of God. They discovered that many country stars go gospel in the long run. Many include gospel songs on their country albums. Carolyn always included at least one gospel song on her country albums.

Updated June 2012 _