So I will go as far as I can into rock and roll carrying my Christian banner.
I'm associated with gospel music in the minds of millions of people.
Writing Christian or worship music is just because I love Jesus, so everything I do is going to be an overflow of that.
I'm not against screens, or new songs, or innovation. I just don't like the gimmicks. I want to know when worship is over that that leader's sole purpose was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
In terms of worship, I think we ought to have the right people leading.
We have jokingly said if you've got good hair, can sing and know three chords, you can lead worship at First Baptist Houston or wherever. But that's kind of scary, putting somebody on stage just because they have a good voice. Do they know theologically and spiritually what they're saying and why they're doing it?
I love to perform, to give glory to God with my own brand of funky gospel music. I think it's my mission to show people that God, that Jesus, can be cool.
Being around a church culture, even leading a gathering of believers, I've gotten pretty good at predicting what's going to happen in a church service.
My first real experience with worship, I was 19. I was playing drums in the church band at a church in Phoenix, and they asked me to be the worship leader.
That's the best worship you can get when the worship leader is there with no other intentions and ready to sing their heart out for the Lord.
The real advantage for me is that I have the opportunity to lead worship every Sunday.
Not everyone can lead worship.
I started my teenage years singing in churches across America, and finally wound up on a big stage.
I think one of my greatest gifts is leading worship.
As far as spiritual influences in Christian music, I would say Crystal Lewis - a lot of her songs especially. The ministry she has through her songs has really hit me.
I sang in the choir growing up and more recently served on the worship team at my church in California.
Absolutely, although every congregation will say, you know, every worship leader will say it's vital. It's very important, but again these are, you know, these are different cultural styles.
