“In Harrisburg most people know us,” says Lavette Paige, the granddaughter of Reverend Scott White, the founding member of the Scott White Evangelistic Crusade. She says, “They’ve made one name out of Scott White – you’re a scottwhite – they don’t realize that it’s a person’s name.”

Perhaps to say that the Reverend was the founder isn’t quite accurate; the father would be the best way to put it. When the Reverend, who is now 88, first laid eyes on his wife Mary Elizabeth he knew, and even told her then, that they would be married. Though Mrs. White has passed on, the Reverend comments that they enjoyed “a sweet loving marriage with a big family behind it.”

“Big” is an ambiguous word, it means different things to different people, but the Reverend wasn’t exaggerating. He and his wife had15 children, who had 60 grandchildren, who in turn had 65 great grandchildren, who so far have had seven great-great grandchildren.

Based out of Steelton where they worship and sing their praise at the New Hope Baptist Church, this 147-member family is spreading the word of God through song.

When Reverend Scott White got his calling to serve the Lord he remembers hearing a voice that told him that in addition to helping people “better their working condition” he was to focus on saving their souls. The Reverend laughs and says, “I knew it was the Lord, because the Devil ain’t going to be telling nobody the truth.”

Aldine Green, the third child of the Reverend, and former manager of the gospel family, remembers how it all began. Her brother, Scott, at the age of six, begged his mother to play the piano. After being brushed off for a few moments, he astonished everyone by sitting down at the piano and playing and singing the songs he’d learned at church. That was when the family began to sing together.

A Family That Prays Together Stays Together had become the Scott Whites' slogan, says Ms. Green, appropriately, this became the title of their first album.

In reverence to their faith, the Scott Whites have turned down recording opportunities. “We had a couple offers to do albums,” says Ms. Green, “but they wanted us to leave Jesus out, and we knew what he had done for us, I could not accept them.”

Though Ms. Green is still involved in the family’s singing endeavors, she has passed the management on to Scott A. White III, grandchild of the Reverend. Based out of New York City, Mr. White, works as a composer and musical producer, and has worked both on and Off-Broadway. Despite his busy schedule, “No matter where I am, I make it a point to be back here for rehearsal on Saturdays.”

The closeness of the Scott White Family can truly be an inspiration to us all, but this is not to say that they don’t have their share of conflicts. Mr. White points out that there are differences that go along generation lines in what the members of the family want. The older generation is content with the audience they are reaching now, while the younger generation of Scott Whites would like to travel and spread The Word.

“I think there’s a middle ground, and that’s what I’m trying to help the family define right now. We can brighten the corner where we are… but at the same time, there are millions of people across the world who need to be lifted, as well as the people at New Hope Baptist Church,” explains Mr. White.

Difference in opinion also goes beyond the family. Often time there is a difference between what an individual wants and what they feel Jesus wants, but the family serves Jesus and they feel that God has been good to them.

In a family of 147 heartache and loss are unavoidable, the death of Mary Elizabeth for example, but the Scott Whites have shared miracles as well. Ms. Green believes her family has prayed her through sickness. These sicknesses include cancer, almost 20 strokes, surgery, and a coma. Yet she’s alive and well, despite the amazement of her doctors. “Who wouldn’t serve a God like that?” she asks.

Another miracle, perhaps the biggest miracle, is the fact that they are close, despite their atypical size or any amount of distance. From one loving couple a family was made and directed by the loving hands of Reverend Scott White, who has provided the family with the common ground on which they stand, faith. If faith is the common ground, then according to Scott White III, “Music is the glue.”

At 88 years, Reverend Scott White feels his time here will soon end. He says that he is ready to embrace his maker. He will leave behind more than a huge, loving family. He also will leave behind 147 individual people who are devoted to passing on what he has taught them, a legacy that he is proud of and has worked hard to achieve.

“I’m just waiting,” says the Reverend, “to hear The Voice say ‘Scott your work is finished, come home,’ and I’ll say, ‘thank you Lord, for I have tried to do my best.’”

The Scott White Family is currently in the recording studio, and are planning a tour to help spread The Word. You can see them live on February 20, at the Harrisburg Forum, opening and closing for the John Amos Show at 8 p.m.