I was excited to see Centricity Music's new breakout band, Unspoken, who joined Sanctus Real on the Promises Tour which also featured JJ Heller and Bread of Stone. The tour came to Manheim, Penn., and before the concert I had the great opportunity to interview all four artists for upcoming "behind the song" devotionals.

Fans were treated to a high-powered performance and original compositions from Unspoken that are featured on the group's debut Centricity Music EP, Get to Me, and also two new songs from their upcoming project. This is a great debut EP from a new act, and based on what we heard, this is the best new band to hit the Christian music since GMA Dove award winning New Artist of the Year Tenth Avenue North, in my opinion. 

 

Unspoken continues to garner strong radio adds for their debut single, iTunes' Top Song of 2012, "Who You Are." Unspoken's very engaging and worshipful four song set also included "Run To You," and their new songs "Bury The Workman," which is based on Mark 13:31, and the vertical worship song "In Your Hands." I love the confessional and biblical lyrics such as "So let the ashes fall wherever they land / Come back from wherever you've been / To the foot of the cross / To the feet of Jesus / Where you are is never too late, so bad, so much that you can't change / At the foot of the cross you can change who you are." Amen.

 

"We are so humbled and excited about the opportunity to join Sanctus Real on the road this spring," says Michael Gomez, guitarist for Unspoken. "We have loved this band for a long time, so to have them invite us out on tour is crazy. We look forward to playing our music in front of their fans and, hopefully, make some fans of our own." Unspoken is a 4-member band comprised of lead singer Chad Mattson, bassist Jon Lowry (who are both from Maine), guitarist Mike Gomez (Dominican Republic), and drummer Ariel Munoz (Puerto Rico). The group was initially formed in the Dominican Republic when Mattson met Gomez and when the duo returned to the States the pair hooked up with Lowry, Mattson's childhood friend.

 

 

Taking their name from a vision of their work as being useless materials that are only made a blessing to others by Christ, Sioux City-based Bread of Stone are that rare band that truly puts service and ministry first.

 

The band: Ben Kristijanto, Bill Kristijanto, Tim Barnes and Wesley Holt, founded The Light Project--their ministry in Indonesia--and travels to that country annually to perform and fellowship with scavenger communities, for whom scouring trash for for valuables is a fact of daily existence. The development of Bread Of Stone as artists began simply, first with a calling received by the Kristijanto brothers' father (a minister) that the brothers should be involved in a music ministry. Wishing to release an album that truly captured their artistic vision, the band readily admits to being meticulous and demanding in the recording process.

 

The end result of that dedication to independence as artists--and the refining of their craft--is the band's new release, The Real Life. A loosely conceptual album based on the band's belief that the world is caught up in a vicious cycle of trends, distractions and lies, "The Real Life" is a response from Bread Of Stone that unashamedly declares that the "real life" is as God intended for us--to be one with Him. Deftly incorporating rock, pop and praise, the album is the most definitive musical snapshot yet of Bread Of Stone and their ministry. The band also performed their energetic and catchy songs "Hold On", "Parachute" and "One Way Runner."

 

 

JJ Heller is the picture of a true working mother. While raising her two young girls, Heller has been busy putting the final touches on her new album Loved, which released March 12. JJ's soft voice and introspective lyrics first hit the spotlight in 2009 when her song "Your Hands" was featured on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance? and eventually found a life of its own on radio across the country. Since that time, her career has become the picture of indie success, including numerous national TV placements and her song "What Love Really Means" being named the best Christian Song on Amazon.com's "Best of 2010" list. JJ's trademark ability to be transparent and vulnerable resonates throughout Loved. The 10 new songs serve as a reminder not to let go of hope, to step out of fear and into trust in spite of life's present struggles.

 

JJ's set was an incredible blessing, as she and her husband, Dave, brought an intimacy and vulnerability to the night with their five song set, starting with her breakout hit song "Your Hands." I absolutely love this song and can't get enough of JJ's sincere and sweet vocals and the hope-filled message of the song. The last verse includes the Biblical Truth that "one day You will set all things right." The song is about hope. Our present struggles are not permanent. One day we'll be able to look back and see how the Lord uses our struggles to affect people for His purposes. JJ then introduced "Come Back To Me" as a Prodigal Son-inspired song, from her new album Loved. 

 

Perhaps it's her insight and sensitivity that consistently draw a female audience to JJ's music. She touches on issues of self-image and worry, questions of faith, and feelings of loneliness; her songs resonate with women and offer encouragement. God speaks to us in different ways and I find myself closest to Him in my times of prayer and reflection, especially with her next song of praise and adoration, "Who You Are." Everyone can really relate to the sincerity and sensitivity of this amazing song. The song addresses the broken cry of all of us, especially women who struggle with finding their true identity in Christ. All believers know that Christ is the only answer to the question in the prayerful lyrics: "I don't know, I don't know what You're doing, But I know who You are." 

 

"Who You Are" includes the extremely moving description of parents who have painful questions for God about losing a child. They ultimately find redemption in knowing and being known by our Father in Heaven as gorgeously sung in the lyrics: "You have a Father's heart, And a love that's wild, And You know what it's like to lose, Yeah, You know what it's like, What it's like to lose a child." I started sobbing the first time I heard the emotional bridge of the song; it's that moving and beautiful. 

 

Next came the lightest moment of the night which JJ and Dave told the audience was based on the children's board book The Runaway Bunny. I can't get enough of the catchy and sincere "Boat Song" which includes the great chorus, "Do you know we belong together, do you know my heart is yours?" What's so relatable is how JJ's "relationship" songs are relevant for everyone, but especially if you know Jesus, then you know the ultimate answer to the quest for love can only be found in Him.

 

JJ's closing song "What Love Really Means" caused tears to flow as I worshiped along with JJ and Dave in Spirit and in Truth. No matter what you are going through in life, God's promise to His children is that you are loved. God is love. That biblical truth is profoundly captured on LOVED. JJ's remarkable singing voice and her interesting music and lyrics are truly captivating.

 

Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, Ohio-based Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as "real" Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers. The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of "Sanctus"). 
 

 

Always running toward the only thing they know, namely God's Word and His unfailing promises, Sanctus Real's sixth studio album, Run, is a new collection of lyrics and melodies shot straight from the hearts of a weathered yet determined band of comrades who clearly still love collaborating. Building upon their Grammy-nominated 2010 album Pieces of a Real Heart that featured the breakout track "Lead Me," the band continues to devote itself to writing songs they pray will matter.

 

Rather than simply glossing over struggles, Sanctus Real hasn't been afraid to shine a light on them. And by being transparent about what they've been through, songs like "I'm Not Alright," "Don't Give Up" and "We Need Each Other" have emerged as encouraging anthems of hope and healing that listeners can cling to in their own trying times.

The band opened with the album's first single "Promises," a simple yet stirring reminder of God's faithfulness. Matt was inspired by the words a friend shared as he and his wife Sarah awaited the birth of their son, Bowen, who was diagnosed with a severe heart defect. Now a thriving two-year-old, Matt and Sarah continue to share Bowen's remarkable story online at www.bowensheart.com. While Sanctus Real has never shied away from digging deep, there's also a playful, fun quality to "Run." A more simple and straightforward worship message, the crowd was very engaged by the catchy song.

 

The next song, "Forgiven," truly touches me in many ways. I know that many of us struggle with the idea that our past and present mistakes are unforgivable, yet the Bible tells us that isn't true. Read that great paraphrase in The Message of Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus tells us: "Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." 

 

What an amazing comfort to know that when we struggle with our pain, pride and unloving natures, we can all lay it at the feet of Jesus. As we reflect on the beauty and power of Easter, this is a great song to sing to our Lord and Savior as a personal prayer of thanks and praise. Personally, I'd say Sanctus Real's songs have matured along with the band members. "These Things Take Time" got the crowd moving and was another song focused on the topic of faithfulness and the challenges in our walks as Christians to accept and give forgiveness, and also seeking Truth and Hope. After a compelling sing-along with "Face of Love" was a nice reflective set of worshipful songs, "Sanctuary," "One of Those Things," "The Redeemer," and "You Are God."

 

Staying close to God is also a theme that runs through "Pray," a relevant reminder to make time for prayer because it's the heartbeat of our faith. "Lead Me" moves me every time I hear it, and it was the standout moment of the night featuring a video testimony of the power of hearing the message of "Whatever You're Doing" on the radio started a process that led a broken marriage to restoration. "Lead Me" is a "must own" song for all husbands, fathers and young men looking for an honest portrayal of the prayer of a Christian man asking God to lead their lives.

Along with Matt, the challenge for me in the song, and hopefully for other men as well, is every time I hear it, every time I sing it, I ask myself, "what kind of man am I?" Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but what kind of man am I today? Have I invested in my family emotionally, spiritually the way that God has called me to reach out to them and to lead them? I am extremely moved by the song and pray daily for God to lead me so that I can lead my family. "We Need Each Other" closed the excellent set with the anthemic and unity-focused song.

 

A two-song encore by Sanctus Real started with the awesome emotional rocker "I'm Not Alright." Closing song "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)" had us all singing along with the standout song from We Need Each Other. The "Promises Tour" featured an excellent set of songs that focused on the central themes of asking God to inhabit our inner being and truly allow the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us along with relying solely on the love of Jesus to truly mold our hearts and make us more like Him. That's what Christian music is all about—Jesus. Just hold on to the "Promises, Hold on to the promises, Jesus is alive, so hold tight, Hold on to the promises." Amen.

(View my photos of the concert here.)