Music, Millennials, and Mission Mobilization

Rachel Dorr

“Give me the music of a nation, people to go overseas. He founded I “Beyond the Gates,” based on the Jim and I will change the mind of that CARE MINISTRIES and has trained Elliot story. Jars of Clay have long nation.” a variety of Christian musicians. been spokespersons for the suffering -- Plato The message of God’s global Body of Christ with Open Doors In- reign is nonetheless conspicuously ternational and Prayer for the Perse- “There is a whole generation that missing in much of today’s Christian cuted Church. DC Talk produced two the church has lost – the sight and music, although the picture is chang- powerful volumes called “Jesus Freaks,” sound generation. MTV has cap- ing. Frank Fortunato, music director containing true stories from many na- tured them, but the church hasn’t.” for Operation Mobilization, observes, tions of radical and costly discipleship. -- Ed Basler, “There has been a gradual growth, Some mission-minded groups are founder of Souled Out particularly in the last ten years, in the dedicated to train musicians, whether increase of songs about worship among to minister in their own culture or Some may suspect such claims to the nations.” to prepare for cross-cultural service. be exaggerations, but we must ac- For example, the “Passion” CDs are Karen Lafferty directs YWAM’s knowledge that musicians are a power- “Musicians for Missions,” working to ful infl uence on the millennial genera- selling like hotcakes; these focus on God’s glory and provide some global train and mobilize “grassroots” musi- tion, for good or for evil. This wave cians from all over the world. The of young people, born from the late glimpses. Worship leader Shane Bar- nard has produced the “Psalms” album, SOZO music festival, in Hungary, 1970s onward and comprising a fourth trains musicians from surrounding of America’s population, responds to which includes the lyrics, “Ask and I’ll give the nations to you/Oh Lord, that’s countries to use music in outreach and authenticity and enthusiasm. While reconciliation. Dave Hall of Pioneers boring sermons or shallow Christian- the cry of my heart/Distant shores and the islands will see your light/As it directs another ministry, also based in ity may turn youth away in disgust, Hungary, called “Worship From the a singer with a guitar and a burning rises on us.” Much global-minded mu- sic comes out of the United Kingdom Nations,” mobilizing worship leaders passion for Jesus can shake them to the to serve overseas and disciple worship core. from artists such as Matt Redman. In “There’s a Louder Shout to Come,” he leaders among the unreached. Has the story of God’s kingdom proclaims, “Bowing down before your – the story portraying the goal of all throne/Every tribe and tongue will What still needs to be done? history – been refl ected in the music be/All the nations with one voice/All 1) Follow worship to its rightful for this generation? Are young people the people with one king/And what conclusion being challenged by Christian artists a song we’ll sing upon that day … Dave Hall (in Mission Frontiers, and worship leaders to consider God’s You deserve an anthem of the highest May-August 1996) has written that part for them in missions, specifi cally praise.” worship should lead directly into mis- among unreached peoples? Teen Mania Ministries hosts sions so that God may be glorifi ed in What’s already happening? “Acquire the Fire” conventions across the last remaining unreached people A number of artists in the 1980s the USA. They use worship and group. The link between worship and and 1990s – such as Scott Wesley popular music to energize the hearts missions is too vital to be ignored. Yet Brown, Keith Green, Twila Paris and of youth, then challenge them to go on how many of today’s youth have made Graham Kendrick – infused their summer mission trips (among other this monumentally important connec- music with a global vision. Brown took steps). Similar events occur overseas at tion? Such a message is often obscured Perspectives in 1987 and promoted “Mission Korea” and Australia’s “Reach by the plethora of worship songs extol- missions at his concerts, even laying Out” youth conferences. ling God’s love for me, me, me. out passport applications to encourage Music has been used to raise The Traveling Team, which pro- awareness of the persecuted church, motes missions in Christian groups on Rachel Dorr is an intern with Mission often coupled with a challenge to over- college campuses, has noticed a con- Frontiers and a student in the USCWM’s seas service. Wycliffe Bible Translators spicuous lack of interest on the part of INSIGHT program in Pasadena. She partnered with Steven Curtis Chap- worship leaders. Director Todd Ahrend plans to return to Wheaton College for her man on his most recent tour, featur- comments, “This is a continuous trend fi nal two years of undergraduate study. ing a multimedia presentation called – very few worship leaders take time to

16 January-February 2003 Mission Frontiers USCWM•1605 E. Elizabeth St.•Pasadena, CA 91104•626-797-1111 meet with us. We have yet to fi nd an recently, Teen Mania has done this don’t connect missions with out- artist whose passion is mission mobi- with other musicians, including Audio dated worship songs, thick theological lization.” Adrenaline, Superchick, Newsboys, textbooks, or boring speakers. If we and Rebecca St. James. Audio Adren- are going to mobilize this generation, 2) Find artists who will catch the vision aline’s “Hands and Feet” video was relevant music is not an option. Could the Body of Christ raise up fi lmed on a short-term trip to Panama. The increasing multiculturalism a generation of musicians who dem- Are mission agencies and musicians in our society points to future musical onstrate a heart for peoples without working together? Fred Heumann, trends. In a recent issue of Christian- church movements in their midst? director of Music Works International, ity Today AndyAndy CrouchCrouch surveyedsurveyed the Heather Miller of Caleb Project sum- is representative in his call for better American scene and declared, “The marizes the goal: “I am not looking partnership: “Today’s mission agencies Future is P.O.D.”, referring to the suc- for singers to use lyrics such as ‘be a are just beginning to grasp the idea of cessful, multi-cultural band that is in- missionary.’ I am looking for singers using contemporary Christian music.” novating forms of witness to the MTV to focus on the glory of God, on the Shaun Winn, of Teen Mania Minis- generation. Crouch observes that the fact that his purposes are global, on the tries, urges organizations to put in the secular world “is falling over itself to fact that our purpose here is to make needed effort: “Very rarely do we fi nd court bicultural people with talent and his name great among the nations, the resistance when we potential” and urges fact that many people have never heard ask artists to do this, evangelical com- his name. We have got to look up out but it takes work munities – including of our comfortable world and be aware because of their busy parachurch agencies of what God is working on worldwide. schedules.” – to better tap into Many of us feel that musicians in our this vitality. day serve as prophets and preachers to This task is more this generation, and we want them to diffi cult because Christian musicians Yet P.O.D. represents only part of preach this message. But there are few and mission agencies often move in the musical scene among millennials. that are doing so.” separate spheres. At best there is usu- Diverse styles are essential to reach a ally a temporary contract: the musi- generation with wide-ranging musical To increase that number, there are cians draw the crowds and the mission tastes. at least three levels to target. One is to agency preaches the message. James nurture and train little-known musi- Wendy Murray Zoba has observed, Shelly, worship leader and mobilizer “Two characteristics are emerging as cians who nonetheless have a burning for Pioneers, observes, “The reoccur- passion, as Karen Lafferty and others defi ning features of many Millennials: ring ‘gap’ in music and mobilization is They are activists, and they long for are doing. Second, attention should be that the music is usually the ‘hired gun’ given to music producers and others God” (Christianity Today, February 5, for the organization. We have not yet 2001). If youth are truly seeking ex- who impact the music industry in a fi gured out how music itself is truly broad way. citement and purpose, what weightier integrated into the call.” challenge could there be than Yahweh’s Third, an excellent way to involve 3) Be relevant call to proclaim His glory and invade high-profi le artists is to bring them the darkness of the earth with His overseas for short-term experiences. If students aren’t excited about light? A new generation is waiting to Scott Wesley Brown says, “I would missions, it may be that we have poorly be summoned to Christ’s ageless call: to take [artists] with us and let God speak communicated the message. For them give up their small ambitions, take up for Himself…I wouldn’t have to say a to understand and respond to God’s their crosses, and bless the nations. word; God got the ball rolling.” More call on their lives, it is vital that they 

Resources on Globally-Minded Music Other Resources

www.worshipmusic.com/mattredman.html www.beyondthegatesthemovie.com (movie shown at www.passionnow.org (Passion Network) Steven Curtis Chapman concerts) www.scottwesleybrown.com www.fourthturning.com (information on millennials) www.worshipfromthenations.org (Dave Hall) www.growingupdigital.com (information on millennials) www.billdrake.com “Let the Nations Rejoice” – a songbook www.reach-out.org (articles on worship and youth ministry) and double CD produced by Frank For- www.disciplethenations.org (numerous links, resources, tunato and Scott Wesley Brown, can be clips, and articles on music and missions) ordered from OM USA, 1-800-899-0432 www.thetravelingteam.org

www.missionfrontiers.org Mission Frontiers January-February 2003 17