Local News

Casting Crowns

November 1, 2007

By Karen Kratzer

On Friday, Oct. 26 a popular Christian band came to the St. Charles Family Arena with a couple of other performers. John Waller and Leeland opened for the widely known group, Casting Crowns. They are touring in an effort to help promote their new CD entitled “The Altar and the Door.” But what were they like before they were so big and popular?

Charles Betzler, a close friend of the band, took the time to talk about the band and who they are individually. He said that he has known the band members since the year 2000, before they were Casting Crowns. They all attended First Baptist Daytona and were a part of the youth group band there while Mark Hall was the youth pastor.

Betzler said that he used to hang out with band members Chris Huffman and Hector Cervantes while they were all atending college. The three of them were very involved in several ministries there at First Baptist Daytona. But Betzler said that the group as a whole put a lot of time, effort and work into the youth there and saw the fruits of it by the large crowds of Jesus loving teenagers that came each week. This encouraged them greatly.

Five or six years later, they got together and moved to Atlanta and started building Casting Crowns. They added two more members than what they originally had and swapped out a couple of others in order to make Casting Crowns.

Betzler said: “Their focus has always been on ministering to the youth. I believe that God has blessed them with the success that they have because their message and focus is to glorify God and spread the Gospel through their music and other ministries.”

This was made clear to all who attended their concert on Friday. Their lyrics spoke a clear message of Jesus Christ and they took every oppurtunity to speak His name and to pray. “I think that's what I like best about the music is that their messages are clear. There is no doubt that they are talking about Jesus in their music, and the messages are straight from scripture and applicable to everyone - not just the youth they were originally targeting,” said Betzler.

What is it like then to be friends with such great Christian artists?

Betzler said it is no different than it was before. “It's like knowing anyone else. The fame hasn't affected any of the guys - we still tell the same jokes, reminisce about the crazy days of undergrad and no responsibility. The only difference is that they get to come into town more often than my other out-of-town friends,” he said.

Betzler went on to say: “They are a very talented bunch, and they don't let this (fame), or the lights and video distract you from hearing the message and worshipping. I really like how they always keep the focus on God.”

Casting Crowns is who they are today and where they are today solely because of God. According to Betzler, they have not changed their passions or desires due to popularity or success. They still seek the Lord and His will, and so the Lord blesses them, and that is what Casting Crowns is all about – seeking the Lord with a hot pursuit.

#   #   #