History shows a bit of stormy weather or unexpected obstacles can sink the strongest of ships. Even a beautifully grand vessel with its sparkling exterior can float along effortlessly one moment, and be blindly struck with a fatal blow the next.

Sound a bit dramatic? Perhaps. But it's a life-like scenario that's all too familiar to the members of Avalon, who have had to navigate through their own stormy weather and jagged obstacles to reach a more peaceful calm on the other side.

Avalon has enjoyed a career of Titanic proportions with now six full studio recordings that have generated 19 No. 1 singles, three Dove Awards, 20 Dove nominations, two GRAMMY nominations and an American Music Award in 2002. The group's current lineup includes original members Jody McBrayer and Janna Long, along with Melissa Greene (who replaced Cherie Paliotta Adams in late 2002) and newcomer Greg Long (Janna's husband and an established solo artist in his own right), who officially joined the group last fall.

These changes rocked the group, yet Avalon continued generating chart-topping songs and sell-out performances in the midst of some very difficult times. Adams' departure in 2002 was certainly a period of transition, but it was compounded by the unexpected death of close friend and musical mentor Grant Cunningham. It was a devastating blow to the group members, who then had to weather yet another trying time in the summer of 2003 when founding member Michael Passons resigned to pursue other interests.

"For Janna and me, Michael's departure was like a death," McBrayer explains. "I think we felt like our vision was gone. After everything that we had been through, we stuck together. And then for a founding member to leave, both of us were like, 'It's over. Everything we worked for in the last nine years is over.' It was like something had been taken away from us."

This chapter in Avalon's history was a time of questioning and tears for Janna Long, who shares her thoughts during that time: "When you get punched once or twice, you can get back up," she says. "But when it's every other month that something's happening, and you're constantly being knocked down, it definitely takes its toll. Jody and I had been here the longest, and we were at a point where we were just kind of saying, 'You know what, God? I don't think I want to do this anymore. It's been great, but maybe it's just time to go.'"

But that summer became a turning point. The difficulties produced introspection and a re-evaluation of what Avalon's ministry was all about. Looking at the group's successes and strengths, it was obvious God had directed its path. Where would that path lead now?

"Despite what people have said or what they have projected for us, it has been nine years and a lot of great things have happened for us," Janna Long says. "It has certainly been easy at times—we have a great record label, we have sold a lot of records, we're making decent money and we were just getting in a very comfortable place. So I think when all of this began to happen, it was a test of obedience with God asking, 'Are you going to go where I'm leading and do this my way, or are you going to keep trying to make it happen in your way?'"