don’t want to just be a music label, or live one me under the bus! We were at a conference,
way on stage but not let our private lives reflect and it was full. In the morning, we did a worship
he’s been someone who has modeled what it that message too. We’re all in. The cause of song by Matt Redman called “Let Everything”.
means to not just be a worship leader, but to Christ is why we’re alive, and that needs to It’s an up-tempo song, and the drums start
be a messenger for our generation. The church translate into our music, our families, and our it out. Then, in the night service, we were
and the world has been impacted by his songs relationships and love for each other. about three songs in and had reached a quiet
and his ministry. moment, and the worship leader turned around
[WM] You started off on the drum kit and and said, “Let Everything”. We hadn’t rehearsed
The list could go on and on, but I have to played on several Bethel albums, as well as it during sound check, and everyone was kind
mention Brian and Jenn Johnson. I grew up with solo records for Brian and Jenn Johnson. What of looking around, so I thought to myself, “I
them and I lived with them – they pushed me things did you learn behind the drum kit that guess I’ll count it off.” So, I did and nobody
to become who I am today. They always saw you use now? came in with me! It was just the drums in the
more in me than I saw in myself. Of course, they midst of the really quiet, awkward moment.
are amazing worship leaders and songwriters, [Chris] (laughs) I wanted to hide behind the And the worship leader said, “Stop, stop, stop!
but I’ve had the opportunity to be poured into drum kit forever! And I would have too, if Pastor Well, there went the Holy Spirit!” And I was so
by them and they have really shaped my life. I Banning hadn’t kicked me out from behind it. embarrassed! What had happened was that he
am forever grateful to them. Something I’ve learned though, has been to was talking about a different “Let Everything”
follow and to be sensitive to where the Holy that was a quieter song, and definitely not one
[WM] Being able to share that kind of Spirit is going. At Bethel with Brian and Jenn, that the drums started. It was just a train wreck.
testimony with our readers is key to why these they just left so much space, and I love that I remember hiding back stage. I may have
interviews are so important, thanks again for about them! We would have a set list, but really, cried, and I definitely didn’t want to show my
taking the time to talk with us! every time we got up there and the worship face for the rest of the night!
started, anything could happen! As a drummer,
So like Hillsong United, Jesus Culture started that could be nerve racking, but it was also [WM] I think we’ve all started the wrong song
out as a youth worship team. Can you point to the most exhilarating place to be in, because at some point – nice to know we’re in such
some of the specific things that your leaders not only did I want to nail the rehearsed good company! So…Kim has such an amazing
did that impacted you the most? arrangement and stay with the click track, but voice. When she really starts belting it out, how
I also wanted to learn to be sensitive to where do you manage to keep going and not just stop
[Chris] Our current lead pastor was our the Holy Spirit was going and to where Brian in awe to witness what is happening?
youth pastor, back in the day. Pastor Banning and Jenn were going. I had to learn to follow
Liebscher has always modeled what it looks really well and to support what was happening [Chris] It’s definitely hard! I’ve learned so
like to live a life set apart for God. There was in the room, and that translates and really helps much from Kim. She has an incredible ability
always that sense that nothing else mattered as a worship leader. to soar, and to break through in a moment that
and that pursuing God was everything. When needs it. Her voice has so much authority on
I was a teenager, it helped keep me from a lot Being a drummer has also really helped me to it. I sometimes just look at her with wide eyes
of situations or things that some of my other communicate with drummers. It’s always funny in the middle of worship and just wonder what
friends may have struggled with. I’m really to see a worship leader try to tell a drummer is happening, it is so wonderful! It happened
thankful for him and the role that he’s played what to play, especially if they don’t know on this last tour we were just on, on “Fresh
as a man in my life. That has also translated anything about drums! So, that has given me Outpouring”, where I thought, “This is it! We’re
into the ministry of Jesus Culture. The vision an added skill set when communicating with going to heaven right now!” Of course, no one
that he always cast was that there is nothing the drummers that I’ve played with. knows the time or the day, but it sure felt like it
else besides pursuing God. I got saved when I right then!
was little, but there was a point during worship [WM] What is the most catastrophic thing that
at a youth camp when I was fourteen where has happened during worship, and what did [WM] That’s awesome! Thanks again for your
I encountered the Lord in a way that was life you do to recover? time and insights!
changing. Pastor Banning talks about a point
of no return, where you take that step and [Chris] Oh man! This was early on and I was [Chris]
say, “God, I’m all in!” For Jesus Culture, that playing drums. I was young, so I wasn’t super appreciate it!
has been our heart and a core value for us. We confident, and one of our worship leaders threw 24 August 2017
INSIDE JESUS CULTURE WITH CHRIS QUILALA
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WorshipMusician.com
Thank
you
so
much,
really