Petra is Christian music's top selling group, with more than six
million albums sold, two of those projects having been certified
gold. It has earned three Grammy Awards, nine Dove Awards and more
than two dozen CCM Christian Reader's Poll Awards. And after 26
years of music ministry, God speaks through Petra the same way He
did at the band's inception, according to Schlitt: "That Jesus
Christ is Lord, and He has a plan for your life. Why try it without
Him?" Hartman, who retired from touring in 1995 and now spends
his time as the band's executive producer and songwriter, founded
Petra in 1973. In addition to Schlitt, Petra includes drummer, Louie
Weaver and guitarist/keyboard player, Kevin Brandow, guitarist Pete
Orta and bassist, Lonnie Chapin. Schlitt and Weaver have been with
the band for 12 and 16 years, respectively, while the other three
members joined in 1997.
Despite numerous membership changes in the band's lineup across
more than a quarter of a century, Petra has maintained an uncompromising
stance in its music and point of view. "We knew where we were
suppose to go and we've kept in that direction," says Schlitt.
"We've always tried very hard to not be so staunch in our musical
style that we were only going to do it one way and if people didn't
like it, tough. We've tried to be very open to what musical styles
are popular at the time. Our music is a tool to get across the messages
we believe in."
Until just two years ago, Petra was an "older band" that
might not have connected as well with younger audiences as it does
today. Then came the addition of Brandow, Orta and Chapin, which
Schlitt sees as the unfolding of God's plan for Petra in the late
1990's and beyond. "It added some fresh blood to Petra, and
kind of a new mindset. And with Louie and myself, there's a certain
maturity here - so it's almost the better of two worlds. I think
anybody that's seen us live can see that we're very entertaining
to the younger generation." The evolution in band membership
illustrates the power of the Lord's ministry. Notes Schlitt, "Ministry
has lasted longer than any band Petra has put together. The Christian
band has changed for the ministry, whereas if it was another scenario
if the ministry changed for the Christian band - then you'd start
depending on man, and you'd start depending on yourself, and there
will come a time when you'd fail. God never fails; He knows what
He wants to do."
VISITOR COMMENTS
When I first got into PETRA I liked to listen to AC DC, Pink Floyd,
and stuff like that. I remember thinking to myself, why don't they
have any christian artists like that? Someone told me about PETRA
so I blindly bought their THIS MEANS WAR! album. When I got it and
listened to the first track, I knew God had answered my prayer.
Paul
* * *
Petra, they are really neat! My dad says he grew up listening to
them. I like their song "Beyond Belief" best. I also like them because
I can turn the volume up really loud & my mom goes crazy! But I
mostly like them for the words. Tamara
* * *
I grew up with Petra ever since I was adopted from Colombia. I
love Petra, they inspire me and they also helped me in my bad times.
My mom and my brother enjoy them. I always have to listen to their
music almost everyday. I don't know why but there old song the original
"This Means War" song is the best! It hypes me up! Their newer songs
are the best too! So if you are checking out other christian bands,
then check out Petra, you'll like them forever and you will become
a long time fan, like me! ~~Big Petra Fan, Angelina!!~~
* * *
To all the members of Petra, I just want to let you know that you
guys are great. God uses you to get to us the teenagers in a very
special but new way. P.S. I have 3 of your CDs and hope to have
more.
BY: A friend you do not know.
* * *
I OWE MY LIFE TO CHRIST JESUS, BUT I OWE MY NEW LIFE TO PETRA.
I WAS SAVED AT THERE CONCERT IN ANIHEM CA IN OCT OF 1997. SINCE
THEN MY LIFE HAS BEEN SO FULL. I MET A WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN MAN WE
MARRIED AND NOW HAVE A WONDERFUL DAUGHTER SAVANNAH. PETRA REACHED
DOWN INTO MY SOUL AND PULLED ME FROM MY DEPRESSED, AND CHRISTLESS
WAY OF LIFE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MINISTRY. I CAN
NOT WAIT TELL THE NEXT CONCERT. I PROMISE TO BRING 20 PEOPLE WITH
ME. GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR THE THINGS YOU DO FOR US AND THE LORD.
LISA
* * *
I have to say that Petra is my favorite group. Their music has
touched my heart for years. I am 43 years old and my young daughters
12 and 10 love their music as well. Thank you, Petra, for staying
true to your calling. Thank you, God, for the anointing you have
placed on them. Keep them true to what you called them out to be.
In Jesus' name, Darlene
* * *
I think that it is great that Petra has used their talents for
the Lord and I think that they are the greatest christian rock band...and
I don't even really like rock music, but everytime I hear them,
I turn the radio up and jam to it! I was at their concert that they
played in Augusta, GA at the greenjackets game and I loved it!
Now I am going to their concert in Sandersville, GA for 2 reasons...1)
because I absolutely love their music 2) my dad's band (Safe Haven)
is opening for them.
God Bless you, Petra. keep up the good and hard work!
all my love in the name of Jesus,
Brytt, 18, North Augusta, SC
* * *
Petra is awesome - their Praise Songs record was my first real
intro to praise music and contemporary Christian music- I didnt
know Christian music could sound like that --it was and is one of
my favorite cd's !!! I hope to see them when they come to our area
Petra- keep rockin' amd praisin' God Bless !!!!!
a Virginia Fan
* * *
Well, I have to say, I've liked them for some time now. The very
first tape I got of theirs was 'Praise 11'. They really know how
to make you just scream 'Halelujah!' I really want to see them but
they never seem to be anywhere close by for me. My youngest daughter
just loves the music. Infact one of our teachers at our school/church
is a christian singer. Her and her husband have tapes out and preform
different places around here. She also is in charge of the Jr. choir
in which my daughter is part of. A couple weeks ago they sang "I
will call upon the Lord" in church. They did it in a round
too. They also have done "Lord I lift Your name on High".
Of course while they were singing it you wanted it to rock just
a bit more but there are alot of elderly people at the church that,
well, may not appreciate it that way.
Oh and one of my all time favorites is "Its our turn now!"
that they (Petra) team up with Carmen. I love the video of that
one.
Thanx and God Bless. Lori Corso from Kenosha, Wisconsin
* * *
I have been a Petra fan since "NOT OF THIS WORLD" I
believe that Bob Hartman is a good song writer and has contributed
a geat deal to the Christian Music industry. I like the old and
the new stuff .KEEP UP THE GOD WORK !!!!! Thanks, PHILLIP
* * *
Petra is one of my husand's and my favorite group. They really
touch are souls and hearts. When we listen to them we can feel the
holy spirit around us. We like it when they play fast songs and
slow to really worship our Lord. Petra is really awesome. W e would
like to see them in concert. I think they will put on a really good
concert. My husband is the one who started to listen to them
and then he got me to listen to them.
We like all of their songs, they really hit us, and make us realize
that there is a Lord of all and he is our master. And talk to him
about your problems or anything you want . Petra always says put
God first and we have done that and we thank you for it .
Thank you, David & Cochran from Southern California
* * *
I just want to say to everyone that the awesome group PETRA has
really inspired me and touches my life everyday. I got into their
music like about twelve years ago. My brother would always listen
to them since he was young and he got me into them. I love their
type of music because every song that they write and play, it touches
me all the time. So who's ever wanting to know which band plays
awesome, It's PETRA.
Well that's about It. Petra Fan,
Brenda Ramirez
