Kristian’s music is not intended to be a performance, but simply a worship experience, intended for all- as he called it, just one big sing along. And it was, with heartfelt lyrics such as “You are light, you are light when the darkness closes in.... You are peace, you are peace when my fear is crippling... I'm running to your arms, I’m running to your arms, the richness of your love will always be enough…” and “I will not fear the war.... I will not fear the storm... My help is near…”
So much of the music he shares is about finding refuge with God in times of trouble that I asked Kristian why that was. He said that a lot of their newest music came out of a rough time in the life of his family, a rough time for his wife and he, and a rough time for their city. But he also understands that a lot of people are going through dark times and many of his words come straight from Psalms. The cries of people today are the same as cries of people for all times, and God is here now just as He was then. Kristian always knew that he wanted to be a musician, but it wasn’t until 2005 that he knew that leading worship was what God was calling him to do. And since that time, he could never have imagined where God would take him, but says it’s so much more and so much better than what he could have planned.
Through the show, the music took us through the experience of baring our hearts to God, but then the song “Put a Smile On” led us in celebrating all He has done. We sang “with a shout of a heart set free” and danced as we sang “dance, dance, dance in your freedom forever more.” It was a reminder that though we may be in a storm, we can still dance in His freedom and that even if our hearts hurt today, the same truth remains. But Kristian then circled back, closing with “This One Thing Remains” where we sang with the heartfelt belief that God never lets us go. It seemed to be a reminder from Kristian that our days of dancing and celebrating may be sandwiched between times of needing to run into His arms, but we’re never left there alone in the darkness.
After the show, when I had a chance to ask Kristian what he wanted people to walk away with, it was a simple answer. He wanted us to see Jesus more than anything. That is the reason the whole band does what they do, why he leaves home and misses his family (and wife due with their third baby just a few days from now). Because at some point, each of them had an experience that made them decide to follow Jesus, and that’s what they’re doing. We had people from many different backgrounds with us, and his prayer was that those who walked in knowing Jesus left rekindled, and those who didn’t know about the cross left knowing that something happened.
I’m thankful that Kristian and his band answered God’s call, and thankful for a church and a pastor who create experiences that allow us to welcome all in and create environments like this. Years ago, God called another man to lead worship, and he also answered that call, and then answered another call to become our Senior Pastor just a few years. He still rocks today. Literally and figuratively.
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