It is not a secret that I am a big fan of Christian Rock music. I did grow up listening to the secular rock bands of the 70’s, and I still like to play the rock anthems of that era for motivation when I work out or when I must vacuum my house. Still, the worldly messages in many of the lyrics are, to say the least, questionable. When I became a Christian in 1978, I started listening to praise and worship music especially Country Gospel. I loved the melodies, but I still preferred rock and it was then I discovered Christian bands that played rock music with a faith-based message. Ever since then I have compiled a playlist of all my favourite bands: Petra, Sonicflood, DC Talk, the Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Relient K, Stryper, Third Day, and many more!

When my daughter was a teenager we saw the Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline in separate live performances in Calgary. I think I was just as excited to be at their concerts as she was! Just last year, I had the privilege of seeing Petra in concert in our home church and meeting all the band members. Our Pastor had the audacity to invite the band to play a two-night concert in our community as part of their 50th Anniversary tour and to his amazement they actually accepted his invitation! It became the only Canadian stop on their world-wide tour last year. It took plenty of church volunteers and planning to put the concert together, including my husband who was a driver for the band, but it was an incredible experience, and an opportunity for our local Revival band to open for Petra. Our Pastor, a gifted musician in his own right, also got to play guitar with his music hero, Bob Hartman on stage.

God began opening doors that led to Petra returning to Canada for their “Best for Last” tour in 2024. Revival’s lead singer, Nick and his wife, Sheena, with Petra’s encouragement, developed a ministry called “Faith Live” to bring Christian bands and artists to Canada. As Nick and Sheena are a part of our church family, I have been thrilled to pray for this fledgling ministry and to see the fruit from their labour. I’m also a big fan of their band, Revival. Love their music!

Petra returned to Canada with Faith Live promoting them playing predominantly in local churches or community centres first in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. (They have three more concerts coming up in Winnipeg, Sarnia, and Toronto so get your tickets fast!). Petra, in the 80’s, filled Calgary’s Saddledome with fans, and the band still sells out large venues, but they have seemed purposeful on this tour to concentrate on being in local churches and community centres to uplift and encourage fans past and present with the Gospel message through their music.

Sheena was looking for sponsorship for the Alberta leg of their tour, and I felt God’s prompting to contribute in some tangible way. Faith Live has a prayer team that attends each concert and each member volunteers their time and financial resources to travel to and from each city. I had heard of my friend, and fellow author, Stephanie Morales Beaulieu, promoting her incredible book, “Anything But Ordinary” through Faith Live. (If you haven’t read it yet, run, don’t walk and get a copy! It is one of the most impactful books I have read!) I contacted Sheena and asked her if she wanted to take my first book, “Shoot the Wounded” on the tour too. She was delighted by my offer and so I donated three boxes of books, with all the proceeds going to the prayer team.

I published my young adult, “Wounded Trilogy” books between 2010 and 2012. I’m probably not the only author that still has a few boxes of books stashed away at home. For a few years I have been praying for a way to get my books into the hands of young people again, but it’s been a struggle to say the least. I am so thankful to God for opening this door through Faith Live for this opportunity!

I wept tears of joy when Sheena sent me this picture of Petra’s band mates, Bob Hartman and John Schlitt holding my book. They and keyboardist, John Lawry are planning to give a copy of “Shoot the Wounded” to their grandchildren! Sheena also sent me several pictures of teens who had attended the concerts and then purchased books. When God opens a door, He opens it wide!

My heart is full!