Tony Mladenoff - Bass, Vocals

My aunt, who lived in the United States, went to Macedonia, Yugoslavia, to visit her family with her 12-year-old daughter.  While there, her daughter contracted meningitis and passed away.  She was buried in Macedonia. The death of my cousin resulted in a ticket back to the United States being available.  My aunt invited her younger sister, my mother, to come back to the United States with her, thus sealing my destiny of being born in the greatest country in the world.  My father emigrated from Macedonia on a merchant ship, entering the United States through Toronto. My mother and father met, married, and had four children, me being the youngest.  I was raised Eastern Orthodox, and, at one time, considered becoming a priest.  

 On Sunday, October 10, 1971, I went to a “new birth rally”, a Christian evangelistic outreach ministry, on the front lawn of a local church.  The Jesus movement was occurring and droves of people, especially young people, were being saved worldwide.  A relatively well-known guitarist, Phil Keaggy, from my hometown of Youngstown, OH, was scheduled to play that evening and because I loved music, I went.  The guitarist didn’t show up, but Jesus did!  I received Christ through the preaching of the Word at 5 PM right on that church lawn and I’ve been playing music for Him ever since.

 I spent the next several years in Christian bands (most notably, Omega Sonship), working different jobs, raising a family, and maturing in Christ, until in April of 1989, I surrendered to full-time Christian service.  I became the Men’s Program Director of the Youngstown, OH Rescue Mission and was ordained.  After serving there for six years, the Lord called me to the City Rescue Mission in New Castle, PA, where I served as Chaplain, and obtained valuable Rescue Ministries education under F. Dickson Marshall.  In 2000, after attending Pastor’s school at Phoenix First Assembly, the Lord’s call was to “go West young man”. Eileen and I moved to Phoenix where I served as Chaplain at the Phoenix Rescue Mission for 4 outstanding years. About 3 years ago, we found Sonlight Home Church in Surprise and knew that was where God wanted us. I went to school and became a CNA and now work at a local care center. I hope to continue my education and become an LPN sometime in the near future.

 Through prayer, fellowship, and the Word, we received a vision from the Lord about 6 months ago asking us to reach out to those who for whatever reason, have chosen not to be a part of a traditional church.  It became apparent that He was going to have us affect others in the same way I came to know him over 30 years ago—through music and the preaching of the Word. We prayed for His will, His timing, and His people to be in the band. He answered all of those requests as we waited on Him and Consider This became a reality.

 The rest is history yet to be made.  Enjoy the music and serve the Lord with gladness!