Rock4Christ - Christian rock concert set for Sept. 17 at Nativity

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 1, 2005

For one couple in the Diocese of Sioux City, it was their children who gave them an awareness of Christian rock music. Now they're hooked.

Les and Angie Lutter, parishioners at Immaculate Conception Church in Sioux City, will host a second non-denominational Christian rock concert. The upcoming concert has been dubbed Rock4Christ.

"Christian music can reach a lot of kids because it comes in all different styles," noted Angie, who added that it is good music with a good message.

She pointed out that they had over 320 people show up for the first concert that was held about six months ago.

"We didn't know what to expect when we opened the doors if it would be 10 people or a thousand. We were able to recoup almost all of our money back and we thought we would add two more bands to the lineup," noted Angie.

The Rock4Christ Concert is slated for 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at Nativity Parish Center in Sioux City.

The concert will feature four bands: River Hills Worship, Surrendered, Tenth Hour Calling and Remedy Drive. River Hills of Sioux City will start the show off with praise and worship music. Surrendered, also from Sioux City, includes a Nativity parishioner as a member, Jimmy Klemish. Tenth Hour Calling is based out of Kearney, Neb. and Remedy Drive, the group that was featured in the Lutters first concert, calls Lincoln home.

"These guys are younger guys - in their 20s - so it makes them more approachable to the kids," said Angie. "It is not somebody their parents' age or older who is trying to lecture them or preach to them."

And yet, she added, as a 40-something she enjoys these groups. It is something the whole family can enjoy.

"We are aiming for teens because they are very impressionable and I'd like for them to listen to something good," she said.

Avid fans of Remedy Drive, Angie mentioned that they first saw Tenth Hour Calling in Norfolk, Neb. The Kearney band was playing a concert with Remedy Drive. Hoping to expand the offerings in Sioux City, Angie mentioned that the two bands appeared to compliment each other.

Tenth Hour Calling's lead singer, acoustic guitar player and songwriter Ben Shafer agreed that the two groups are a good fit.

"We met through sharing gigs. We really seem to flow together pretty well - working in the same mindset of reaching kids, but being proficient in the musical realm at the same time," said Shafer.

He described Tenth Hour Calling's style as progressive, noting that it was heavy and light at the same time.

"It's epic and emotional, but it's also thought-provoking," noted Shafer. "The lyrics come from movements and experiences of my life. As a general rule the lyrics try to reflect a reaching out to a world that is hurting and a world that is needing answers."

Shafer said the show sometimes includes a little witness talking when he is moved to do so, "but I only do it if the moment is right. We try to let the music do the talking. We hardly ever do any preaching. We don't feel like beating it over people's heads will do any good."

Tenth Hour Calling, a five-member group, has been together about two-and-a-half years. They mainly play in the Midwest states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota.

Through the performances, Shafer said he hoped that people could discover the truth found through God.

Angie mentioned that all of the groups will stay after the show to talk to the audience if so desired.

An added feature of the evening will be an original song performed by the Lutter's son Tucker, who is a sixth grade student at Mater Dei Middle School. His song titled He'll Love You Forever is about God's love.

During the concert, Heelan High School's Miracle Makers will offer a bake sale table to raise money for its Make-a-Wish project and To Heaven's End, the youth group for Immaculate Conception and Nativity Parishes, will have a pop table to raise money for their trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in October.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Angie mentioned that some Catholic youth groups have expressed interest in attending the show. For more information call Angie at (712) 948-3696. The show is open to people of all faiths.