What the Band Petra Meant To Me

The anticipation was building.  I could not wait.  While at the fair I could hardly eat anything or concentrate on the rides.  There was only reason I was at the fair.  Petra was in concert.  I remember finally having the chance to walk through the crowd and find my seat the first time I would see them live.  I nearly tripped over people in front of me because all I could stare at was the stage.  Why was this concert so important?  I never could understand why, but the style of Rock and Roll music had always been appealing to me.  This is ironic because I come from a home where this was not tolerated, at all.  In the fourth grade I went to my friend's house down the road.  He was playing a Kiss record.  Innocently, I liked the sound of the music.  I came home and told my older brother I liked Kiss.  He, of course told my mom.  Mom’s response, “No he doesn’t!”  I didn’t like this style of music out of rebellion.  I liked the sound, always have.  I loved the sound of the crunchy guitar and the hard-hitting drums.  
The difference now was Petra.  My cousin was the first one who introduced me to Petra when I was thirteen.  The term used at the time was Christian Rock- Rock music put to Christian lyrics.  I instantly became a Petra fan!  I borrowed his cassette and played it for my parents.  They were very concerned.  What made the difference for them was when I played the live album, “Captured in Time and Space.”  When they heard the altar call at the end, they understood this was something different.  Now I was allowed to listen to Petra.   
Being a fan of something for me isn’t listening from time to time or enjoying a concert or two. It meant buying every album I could afford to buy and memorizing all songs.  It also meant seeing them in concert 16 times throughout high school.  In my music class my senior year I did my final report on the history of Petra.  They became a MAJOR part of my life.    
 
There was something else Petra meant to me.  You see, while growing up I was never really accepted.  I was uncoordinated and not athletic.  I was picked on a lot as a kid.  In high school, I wasn’t accepted by my peers both in school and youth group.  I will never forget the moment in the eighth grade when someone made a joke about me in front of everyone (a common experience).  My youth Pastor laughed along with everyone else.  I never really understood why this was the case.  Of course, this brought A LOT of insecurity my way.  Even as a Pastor, father and husband, insecurity still raises its ugly head at times. (Kinda like whack-a-mole).  Just ask my wife.  But, it was Petra who was Jesus to me.   
 
Here is how God used them:   

•  They accepted me.  At a Petra concert no one was made fun of.  The band would treat everyone as if they had value from the stage and individually.  Many times, I would hang around and get autographs and they always treated me like I was a king.  I remember John Schlitt (lead singer) telling me one time, “You are one of the greatest Petra fans!”  I’m sure he said this to others, but in that moment, it meant the world to a kid who wasn’t accepted anywhere else.   

 

• They were Biblical.  Every single song was based on scripture.  In each album it would list the scripture references that inspired the writing of each song.  I learned many scripture themes just by listening to them and singing along.   

 

• They were bold.  I went to a Christian college.  During my first year, there were rumors about a secular campus down the road having a strong satanic influence.  On Halloween night, we heard them doing some type of ritual.  Many of us joined together in prayer at that moment.  After the prayer I went to my room and blasted (and I do mean BLASTED), “I Am On The Rock”- (Watch Video and see Lyrics Below) A fitting song for the time.  This song is an example of how bold their lyrics were (Matt. 7:24-27). 

 

• Their purpose was to bring others to Christ.  I know altar calls and invitations are a subject of controversy today, and I understand many times it has been taken to the extreme.  Let’s be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water.  Every concert Bob Hartman (Guitarist) would present the gospel, invite people to come forward and accept Christ.  I watched this 16 times, as a herd of teenagers would go forward to accept Him.  I think we may miss this in today's world.  People need a time where they make a decision to follow Christ (Matt. 4:19). 

 
If you have a ministry of any type, I would challenge you to use these four pillars as the foundation.  Accept the outcasts.  Be Biblical.  Be Bold and use your ministry to teach others how to accept and follow Jesus.  I thank God He used Petra to sustain me in my walk.   
  
What ministry or person has meant the most to your walk with Christ?  Respond in comments below or reply on twitter- @wildman1996

-Wild Man
Petra- I Am On The Rock Video

​"I Am On The Rock"

The earth is shakin' 
It's like a bad dream 
This world is crumblin' 
Comin' apart at the seam, 
But I am on the Rock, I am on the Rock

Everywhere I'm turning
It's only bad news 
This bomb is tickin'
And we're getting to the end of the fuse,
But I am on the Rock, I am on the Rock

Are you ready?

[Chorus]
I am on the Rock, the sure foundation 
I am on the Rock, on the Rock/I am on the Rock/the Rock of Jesus
I am on the Rock, His revelation 
I am on the Rock.
Though the winds may blow 
And though the floods may grow 
I shall not be moved, 'cause I am on the Rock 

The storm's approaching,
I'm standing high and dry 
Firmly planted
On the Rock that is higher than I,
I am on the Rock, I am on the Rock

Kingdoms failing,
They fall around me 
Plans eroded
And washing away to the sea,
I am on the Rock, I am on the Rock

Are you ready?

[Chorus]

There is no Rock in this world but our God!