Petra

God Fixation is the latest project from a band that has stood the test of time in Christian music. Produced again by master-crafters John and Dino Elefante, along with Petra founder Bob Hartman, the album releases slightly more than one year after the successful Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus, which launched a popular title cut as the theme song for Calvary Chapel's Harvest Crusades.

The new album's title, named after one of its songs, expresses a statement that Petra lead singer John Schlitt says rings through to the heart of where the band stands. "It says that we are fanatics over Jesus," Schlitt says. "We are hooked on Him. In these times where that isn't necessarily the cool thing to say or the cool way to say it. I don't know any other way to put it. When we realize who Jesus really is, our eyes become fixated on him, and it changes our whole way of living."

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 remeember thinking to myself Why don't the have any christian artists like that. Someone told me about PETRA so I blindly bought ther THIS MEANS WAR! album. when I got it and listeved to the first track I knew god had answered my prayer.

Paul

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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

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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!!~~

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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

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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

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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

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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) b/c 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

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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

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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 ><(((*>

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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

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Petra is one of my husand and mine favorite group. T hey really touch are souls and hearts.When we listen to them we can feel the holy spirit around us. Ww like it when they play fast songs and slow to really worship are lord. Petra is really awsome. W e would like to see them in concert. I think they will put a really good concert on. My husband is the one who started to listen to them and then he got me to listen to them.

We like all of there songs they really hit us and make us realize that their is a lord of all and he is are 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 calif

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I just want to say to everyone that the awesome group PETRA has really inspired me and toches 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