son . He practically lived in my house during his high school years . Chris is a really relational and funny guy , but he ’ s not the loudest guy that walks in the room . He was a little bit shy . He was playing drums , and Brian Johnson got him on guitar , and he was singing , and there was just an anointing on him . But he just wanted to play drums , and I finally said , “ Chris , I am banning you from playing drums ! You cannot play drums anymore . You are going to lead worship .” So he started leading worship , and you could just tell there was something on his life when he led . So we were doing the Wednesday nights , and then I would just take Chris and some of those leaders and put them onstage at our conferences .
Kim had just been saved and moved to Redding when she turned eighteen , and got involved in our youth group . Kim has always had a gifted voice . You could tell there was something on her even in those early days . She moved to North Carolina and I remember telling her , “ You can move to North Carolina , you can move wherever you want , but I can tell you right now that you are going to be the voice for our movement .” She moved back a year later , and sure enough she was , and it ’ s been fun to watch . She led our Friday night prayer gathering for years , nine until eleven o ’ clock . We might get five kids or we might get 20 or 30 . 40 was like a home run ! We ’ d do it up in the great room at Bethel , and we ’ d have to scrounge up a guitar player , and Kim would be up there leading for two hours with us , but you could tell that when she was leading there were breakthroughs happening .
Walking with worship leaders … for me the fulfilling part is not just seeing people around the world sing the songs that Chris has written , it ’ s knowing the story , his journey , the integrity , the price he ’ s paid , the heart he has . That ’ s the part that ’ s so fulfilling .
[ WM ] What ’ s the difference , in your mind , between Jesus Culture and Bethel Music ?
[ Banning ] When people ask about Bethel Music or about Jesus Culture worship , it ’ s Bill Johnson . At the end of the day our DNA comes from what Bill taught us , and what Bill modeled regarding the presence of God . Both have that as their core values , and at the end of the day it ’ s about His presence , it ’ s about hosting Him , so both have that . And this doesn ’ t answer your question , but what Bill is so brilliant at is allowing people to be themselves . He does not require you to fit into some mold . Have a passion and love for the presence of God and
20 June 2020 Subscribe for Free ...