New photo of John & solo band for India: StoneJava

[petrafreak2009]

That is very interesting. Any news Sue? I need to ask because I'm interested in getting something started in India with Viktor if you can give those contacts. I wish I could afford it, or I'd bring John to my area snappish.

[JMBJR72]

First I am glad Johns in India! Will the band continue to tour with him in the U.S.? Will there added cities in the future? Now that I asked my John questions. Petra is retired and this site is called "The Petra Zone" it up to Admin what is on this Forum and what is not on this Forum. I have noticed people bring up Louie and what he is doing now. How any other former band members what are they doing now? I will say that Petra is not dead no one has dead lately and in fact reunited not to long ago and they may or may not reunite again. It is up to the Admin what is or is not on the Zone.

Jim
PS
Let's pray for everyone and not slam others.

[sue d.]

Shell, I applaud you for taking the higher road. You have been the voice of reason many times over on this board.

petrabandca, the Lord NEVER called people derogatory names except in the case of blatant opposition from people who were leading HIS people astray, like the Pharisees. And even then it was to wake them up to their sin, not slam them against the wall for slamming's sake.

Thank you for keeping the discussion up, Daniel. And for noticing.

Moving on:

I can't speak for all the members, but I have been on the phone and emailing with Roger Wood, the music director, and yes, HE is a Christian.

As far as the band 'taking an active roll,' I'm not sure what that all would entail, but since this is a band playing for a soloist, and not a "whole band" like Petra, I would venture to guess that they will leave the active Christian witness to John.

But I can't say for sure.

[crossways]

Moving on:

I can't speak for all the members, but I have been on the phone and emailing with Roger Wood, the music director, and yes, HE is a Christian.

As far as the band 'taking an active roll,' I'm not sure what that all would entail, but since this is a band playing for a soloist, and not a "whole band" like Petra, I would venture to guess that they will leave the active Christian witness to John.

But I can't say for sure.

Ok, cool.

You know this might be a great witness to the band as well. Anyone who will witness John ministering that up close and personal is bound to be moved.

I remember in the Unseen Power Video, the guy who did some of the post production, he said he wasn't a christian, or maybe didn't have much experience in Christian music, but that he was touched by what he heard.

[petrabandca]

Wow your words have changed my life Sue.

I'll be sure to check with the two of you the next time I want to submit a reply.

[crossways]

Hey Petrabandca -

Listen, I don't really don't understand the posts you've made. However it might be more productive to PM Shell and Sue.d with your complaints rather than to throw around insults to fellow Christians, on a Christian based site.

You are advertising Petra, John and Bob in your signature. You might think how they would appreciate your comments.

from one brother in Christ to another

[sue d.]

Sorry, JMBJR72. I didn't see your questions until now.

Whether or not StoneJava or 'the Nashville band' will continue on with John is up in the air at this time. Naturally it would be easier to go with the Nashville guys since they're right in town, but if StoneJava gels as well on stage as they do in practice....

That's a decision John and management have to make.

But in any case - we certainly hope more dates will come in once the word gets out.

These India dates are supposed to be aired on God TV; so there should be some good international press on this.

[WR1U]

Ok Sue from left to right who are they, what do they play and where did they come from. We do know all about that guy in the middle though so we're all set on him.

[brent]

Back to topic:

Looking forward to road updates from John. I pray that seeds are planted and lives are touched.

I was looking through the bio of the band StoneJava. I noticed they have a very diverse music background and have played with a lot of big names. I wondered though, as I didn't see many Christian artists (other than Andre Crouch), are they "on-board" with the ministry aspect of what John does?

I am sure that they will do nothing to compromise John's ministry, but will they be taking an active role in it?

Everyone views ministry differently. Just because you don't always tour with Christian artists doesn't mean you aren't evangelizing.

Everyone has a ministry. You don't have to do it as a profession. As a matter of fact, that is what is wrong with christianity today. Too many one-man ministries of the same name, treating as a profession.

Don't get me wrong, but we are talking about music, and getting some people to drop some coin to see/hear John. Getting people to pay to be ministered to...well that is just freaky for me. I prefer to think of it as what it is. It is a Christian ARTIST, whose work ministers to me sometimes. Sometimes it rocks me. Sometimes not.

John is not a non-profit ministry as far as I know. He is not approaching this as a minister as far as I know. He is approaching it like he should, in the world of commerce.

[sue d.]

WR1U, I'm not sure about that middle guy, but you can read about those other guys here: http://johnwschlitt.com/fans/images/stonejava.jpg

Left to right:

Rusty Urie George Aragon Roger Wood the singer guy Pete Ortega (I keep wanting to write Pete ORTA!) and JaKael Tristram

[Vic]

Wow. Thank God for the ceasefire above. Was wondering whats up with the Zone. Alls well that ends well.

In addition to whats been voiced above about prayer for John and Viktor, we need to know whats up with the all the other ex-members so we can hold them up in prayers in their various pursuits.

Our goal as Zoners ought to shift towards seeing that God still works through each and every ex-Petra member in every of their aspect of their lives and ministry, whether they rock hard or not, or whether they still perform or not. I know this is especially hard for me and many others here who enjoyed the glory of Petra.

We all know Bob's selling whats remaining of his gear and has stopped making his wonderful guitars, and IIguys dates have dwindled. Whats up next for him?

What about those still in music ministry? What about those who fell aside in their walk with the Lord?

If all that can be summarised in a page for members of the Zone to know and pray. Anyone agree?

[brent]

I know my post seemed a bit leading, but I am genuinly curious. I have never heard of a "band-4-hire" before. I know there are a lot of musician's for hire, but I think it's cool that this band stays together. I bet they are very tight!

And I don't have any problem with them having played for secular artists.

I just wondered more about them...are they Christians? Does their role with John end at the stage, or is there more?

This has been happening in Christian music from day one. There has never been a Christian record only touched by Christian hands. There are non-Christians involved at some point along the way.

As far as Christian bands and tours go, there are many, many, many people using non-Christians (or non-professing "believers") in their bands. Heck, there are some non Christians living better than the Christians do on the road. Here's a shocker, there are Christian bands partying on the road, going to bunnies shops and strip clubs, having sex, etc. Then lets throw in the plethora of Christian labels, musicians and management that have given us all a bad name by not paying their bills. The secular touring industry HATES, HATES us, because we are the FIRST to not pay.