Jesus Culture is known and loved by millions people the world over . What many of their fans might not know is that they got their humble beginnings serving , worshipping with , and pouring into Banning Liebscher ’ s youth group at Bethel Church in Redding , CA . The fact that nearly twenty years later , Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala are still serving under Banning ’ s leadership is a powerful testimony to his leadership and for God ’ s heart to bless those who are faithful in the small things .
While the Jesus Culture worship ministry is an international one , like many of us , they ‘ do church ’ at the local high school . In fact , Kim , Chris , and the Jesus Culture team have even more in common with you and I than we probably realize , which is why we ’ re so excited to share their insights and wisdom with you once again !
[ WM ] Kim , Jesus Culture is about to celebrate twenty years together as well as four years since you were sent out to plant your church in Sacramento – congratulations !
[ Kim Walker-Smith ] Thank you !
[ WM ] Before we get to Living with a Fire , let ’ s start by dialing back the clock a bit . Lots ’ of people love Jesus Culture , but many of them might not know that it all grew out of Banning Liebscher ’ s youth group at Bethel Church . Can you share some of your fondest memories of the early days when Kim Walker-Smith was just Kim Walker the youth leader ?
[ Kim ] Well , I joined when I was eighteen and I was a freshman in college . I was a volunteer in the youth group helping to attempt to wrangle teenagers . My role when we all first started was actually the Social Event Instructor , so I came up with all of our fun parties and random outings to Six Flags Theme Park and things like that .
Some of my fondest and funniest memories are coordinating games at winter camp , and playing ‘ chubby bunny ’ with a million teenagers . Or ‘ lock-in ’, where you stay overnight and up all night with a bunch of teenagers trapped in church – that was always a lot of fun !
There was a time I arranged our hotels for a trip to Six Flags , and this is back before everyone had the convenience of having iPhones with apps like Trip Advisor or Yelp ! I got us in this hotel that was just the sketchiest , dirtiest , most terrifying hotel . We got there and everyone is thinking , “ We can ’ t stay in this hotel !” Banning is just laughing hysterically . I was like , “ I got us a good deal !” and he was like , “ Yeah , I bet you did !” ( laughs ). I had no idea until we got there and saw it , and it was terrifying !
Taking a bunch of teenagers to New York City for “ The Call ”, that was pretty crazy . I got lost with one of those teenagers in the city , and again that was before everyone had cell phones . Man , we had lots and lots of adventures . I could talk all day about it !
But , I do have a really sweet , special memory . Every Friday night we ’ d have a prayer gathering that we started at like eight or nine o ’ clock and we ’ d go until midnight in this little room in the
September 2018 WorshipMusician . com
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