About Us

     Living Proof is a local church ministry out of Emmanuel Baptist in Jacksonville, Texas.  They started about 6 years ago with a song written for a printing ministry at their home church, and things took off from there.  Rodney came up with some lyrics and Jonathan put it to music and before they knew it a group was born!  They are a blend of gospel and bluegrass and sing mostly their own material, but they love the old hymns and great songs of days gone by.

     Jonathan Thrift plays the banjo, guitar, dobro, and mandolin for the group.  He also sings lead and backup.  When he started mandolin lessons as a teenager, he never thought it would lead to a tool for serving the Lord in a music ministry!  God has truly blessed him with an ear for music, and he loves using that gift for our Savior.  Jonathan is married to the group’s bass player, Melissa, and they have two children.

     Rodney McDuff is the songwriter of the group, and He has an amazing gift for writing songs that speak the truth. He started playing rhythm guitar for the group in the past couple of years and is the lead singer, as well as adding backup vocals.   Rodney’s wife, Rakel, and their 2 children travel with the group.

     Kathleen Thrift, Jonathan’s sister, is Living Proof’s keyboard player and the female vocalist.  She has been playing piano since she was 8 years old and has a deep love for music.  Balancing school, work, and the ministry is a constant challenge in her life right now, but a challenge she finds to be well worth it!

     Melissa Thrift is the newest member to Living Proof.  She started playing the bass for the group about 3 years ago when the original member moved away, and is grateful to be a part of the ministry.  Melissa recently starting writing music and singing with the group as well.

     The common goal of Living Proof is to be a blessing to the churches they minister to and to give God all the glory and praise.

Living Proof Latest News!

     The Lord has opened many doors for us to be in new churches in the past few months.  We have been to Houston, Arlington, Mesquite, and others and we are thankful to meet new pastors and friends in each church.  Thank you to each of you that invite us to serve with you in your churches!

     Please pray for us as we travel and strive to serve our Lord and Savior with our music.  We serve a great God!