For more than two decades, The Rock Music has been creating original worship from the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah–one of the least-reached areas in the country. Led by Pastor Steele Croswhite and worship leader Caleb Yetton, the collective has become a creative force within their local church, blending rock, indie, and modern worship sounds into deeply personal songs of faith. To celebrate twenty years of ministry, they've released Captured by Grace (Deluxe Edition)–a reimagined version of their landmark debut that helped launch the movement.
In this conversation with NewReleaseToday's Bradden Ford, Steele, and Caleb reflect on the album's legacy, the beauty of community-driven worship, and how God continues to use their music to reach hearts in Utah and beyond.
For those who don't know who The Rock Music is, can you give a quick intro?
Steele: Sure! We're The Rock Music out of Salt Lake City, Utah. We've been creating original Christian music for about 20 years for our local church. Captured by Grace (Deluxe Edition) celebrates everything God's done in our ministry over those two decades.
A 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition isn't something you see often in Christian music–and this one feels well deserved. Why go back and re-record this album?
Caleb: It's really been about celebrating what God's done in our church. This album was written and recorded by Steele 20 years ago–it helped launch what became our ministry. Back then, Steele was the main songwriter, but out of that project came a community of musicians writing and recording original music together. We've sung many of these songs for 20 years–sometimes other bands in our church would even cover them. So we wanted to honor that legacy and breathe new life into it for today.
I love that. And when you first recorded it, the sound was different from what most worship music sounded like. It was raw, it was rock, it was bold. What was it like to bring that kind of sound into worship back then?
Steele: Yeah, one of the coolest things about our story is that we've always had a pastoral team that supports our music. Over 20 years ago, one of our pastors, Bill, told me, "Go write and record the kind of music you listen to–and do it for the church." That mindset became a core value for us.
We tell our worship leaders and musicians: create and release the kind of music you love. Back then, that meant rock. Today it might mean indie, harder rock, alt-country–even some hip-hop. Our church embraces all of that. What's unique about our ministry is that this isn't just "radio" music–it's music birthed and sung in our local church every week.
That's so special. It reminds me of what early movements like Jesus Culture, Desperation Band, and United Pursuit were doing. What was it like having your congregation rally behind this project?
Caleb: For me, it's personal–I was part of this church when the original Captured by Grace came out. Those songs shaped my walk with Jesus. At our release show, people came up and said, "Twenty years ago, when I was learning to follow Jesus, this song was my anthem." For many, this album isn't just music–it's part of their testimony.
These songs became prayers. When people sing "You Saved Me from Myself" or "Captured by Grace" or "You Are Beautiful," they're singing something that's deeply personal. This album gave people words for their devotion to Jesus. Bringing it back with new voices and arrangements has been so moving for all of us.
That's powerful. Those songs are like ongoing testimonies–impacting people for years. Why do you think it's important to remember and reintroduce these songs and stories?
Caleb: Because it gives glory to God and celebrates the beauty of the local church. These songs were sung corporately in worship, and privately in prayer. Take the song "Matters"–we did two new versions of it, one full rock and one acoustic. There's a line in that song that says God "laughs out loud, delighting in the details of us." That line alone is such a reminder that God knows us intimately and delights in who He made us to be.
For many, that song expresses what they've always felt: "God sees my pain, my struggles, my uniqueness–and He uses it all." That's what makes worship so powerful.
Amen. That raw honesty is something we need more of in worship. How has this album shaped the rest of your music ministry over the years?
Steele: This project was the launching point. What began as a simple album God told me to record has become a full ministry. We believe the best bands in the world should come out of the local church--writing their own original music in their own style.
On this Deluxe Edition, it's not just me anymore. We have multiple worship leaders involved--Caleb, others, even a Salt Lake City mass choir on one track. Every song has a new touch. It shows how the ministry has grown.
And moving forward, we want even more of that--more songwriters, more musicians, all proclaiming the gospel of grace right here in Utah, which is the least evangelical state in the U.S. We want people to know God is moving here too.
That's incredible. I love that heart. How many projects are you guys up to now?
Caleb: This one makes about our 30th project–albums, EPs, singles. A lot of music!
Steele: Yeah, we've been busy! (laughs)
That's amazing. Before we wrap up–what's each of your favorite songs from Captured by Grace (Deluxe Edition)?
Caleb: For me, it's the acoustic version of "Matters." We spent a lot of time on the production. I wanted it to feel like you're sitting inside the guitar–like you're in the room with Steele and Jesus. I think we captured that intimacy beautifully.
Steele: That's a great one. For me, it's "Your Reach." We recorded two versions--an acoustic and a full production. The song speaks to how we can never out-sin God's love; we're never beyond His reach. We also added a new bridge that says:
"It's not that I first loved You–it's that You first loved me.
I'm found in Your affections, Your song sung over me,
All creation praising the King of everything."
That line sums up everything God's done in 20 years. Plus, I love the guitar tone. (laughs)
Beautiful. Last question–how can we be praying for you guys?
Steele: Thank you for asking that. Please pray that God continues to encourage our local church through the ministry of The Rock Music. Pray that He uses these songs and stories to bring attention to what He's doing in Utah–and that people everywhere are drawn to worship Jesus.
Caleb: Amen to that.
We'll definitely be praying. Thank you both so much for your time, for your ministry, and for this incredible music.
Steele: Thanks for having us–and for all you do to champion Christian music.
Bradden Ford is a Christian music enthusiast responsible for managing NewReleaseToday's new release database of artists and albums. He resides just outside Nashville, Tennessee.
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