Updated 12:19 pm.EST, Mon November 23, 2009

Entertainment|Wed, Aug. 01 2007 03:18 PM EDT

Bethany Dillon Engaged to Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane

By Kevin Jackson|Christian Post Reporter

Christian soft rock artist Bethany Dillon broke some interesting news on her online journal last week, announcing her engagement to Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane.

  • bethany dillon shane barnard shane and shane
    Christian singer Bethany Dillon is now engaged to Shane Barnard of the worship band Shane & Shane.

The journal entry followed rumors that had been started by Jon and Sherri Rivers, hosts of the popular Christian music station K-LOVE, who had “spilled the beans” about the engagement on their weekend countdown. Dillon wanted to tell her fans herself about the news, however, and what the future has in store for her.

“I’m ENGAGED!” wrote the 19-year-old songstress in a note titled “All Smiles.” “I can’t wait to share with y’all about it … the shows I’ve been doing the past month have been pretty funny … people noticing SOMETHING on my finger … a ring, maybe?”

Fans of the two singers may have been caught a little off guard by the announcement since the couple had been pretty quiet about their whole relationship. The two began dating about ten months ago after being friends with one another for about four years.

“[L]ast fall, after lots of seeking His (God’s) heart, we started dating … which looked very different, since he was touring and I was writing and recording,” explained the female vocalist. “But, by the mighty grace of God, it GREW…and a living analogy of His pursuit of the Church, His bride, began! (Are y’all thinking about those mysterious love songs on the new record? Now you know!)”

As an important aspect of the relationship, the two have made it clear that their primary focus is on God. They both agreed that this new adventure was God ordained, and that it was something that would help them both grow in faith.

“[T]here are so many things I’ve learned about the Lord’s heart for me through Shane,” shared Dillon on her website. “I’m getting hitched to the Godliest, humblest, sweetest man on the planet! What a blessing to get to share my life with the best friend I’ve ever had!”

“We have leaned in as close as we possibly could to hear what He would say … where He would lead,” added the singer. “And this is it! Shane and I are so excited to be walking in obedience … walking in the direction of what He has prepared for us. What an adventure the Christward life really is!”

A specific date for the wedding is still undetermined, but the two have asked for prayers in helping to decide when to tie the knot amid their busy touring and recording schedules.

Dillon first began her music career at the age of 12, releasing an independent album. It was the year 2004, however, that marked her self-titled debut album under a major music label, which garnered her Dove Award nominations for Best Female Vocalist and Best New Artist of the Year.

Shane & Shane got their start when the two friends – Barnard and Shane Everett – met at a local Baptist church near their college, Texas A&M. The two joined forces, leading weekly student-led praise and worship at the school.

The two officially became Shane & Shane with their 2003 album, Carry Away.

On the web: Dillon’s full journal entry at BethanyDillon.com.

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  • Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:00 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    I'm so excited for these two! i've always been a big bethany dillon fan- I admire her talent and apparent strong love for the Lord. i really admire the couple's desire to be in God's will- that is such an important quality! Best wishes! God bless...

  • Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:14 am Agree: 7   Disagree: 0

    I can understand the conern people may have initally about the age difference but let's be honest age is rarely a good indicator of personal maturity and integrity. While young chronoligically - Bethany has a maturity well beyond her years and Shane is a man above reproach. I would simply state that if the only issue that anyone can identify is their age difference - then I think they are ina pretty good space! Both Bethany and Shane are people who love the Lord and walk what they talk so maybe it would be best if all of us would consider the whole person and not a singular issue.

  • Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:52 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    I am so excited about this engagement! I don't think that it's weird that when they met she was so young, infact my fiance and i are 14 years apart and when we met i was also 14/15. It's not that he was trying to get anything out of me, we were just friends, which i believe is the same with bethany and shane. In fact i think that it was a very wise decision of Shane to wait until she was 18 to start a relationship. My fiance did the same thing and we are now getting married in 8 weeks and it has truly been an amazing experince! When it come from God everything works out and God sends confirmation! God's timing is the best and there is no problem with their age difference or that she's too young right now! She's very mature and if God is allowing this it's because she is ready!

  • Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:11 pm Agree: 25   Disagree: 5

    I don't want to be a party-pooper ... and I am really happy for the two of them ... but does anyone else find it a bit unsettling that they were friends when Bethany was 15 and Shane was about 27? Or that they started dating after she turned 18 and he was about 30?

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