In 50 years, a lot can change. However, with Petra, the groundbreaking contemporary Christian rock band, not much has changed. Their latest album, “Hope,” sounds like their early work.
More importantly, their message hasn’t changed.
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“God is real, and we can trust Him. That sounds very simple, but for those who have never experienced anything with God — which might be somebody who has been in church all their life — God is real. God is a living God, not just something talked about on Sundays, and we can trust Him with our lives,” said Bob Hartman, Petra founding member, guitarist and songwriter.
Facing challenges
Even though Petra was one of the most popular Christian rock bands at their peak, they haven’t always had it easy.
There were times when Hartman wanted to quit. He isn’t one of those prolific songwriters with whom songs simply flow out without a lot of work. It was always a “labor of love and time and patience, and sometimes grueling sacrifice of mental thought.”
Hartman never wrote more than was needed for the next album. He had a big concern that when he was finished, he wouldn’t be able to write any more.
That wasn’t the only anxiety-producing aspect of being in Petra.
Challenges
There were times when Hartman wanted to quit.
In the early years, there was one time they were really in debt. He told his wife, Kim, that if someone told Hartman that his debts would be paid if he left Christian music, he would consider it.
In addition, because Petra was one of the first Christian rock bands, controversy surrounded them.
Petra began with former rock-n-roll musicians in Bible school together. They realized that they weren’t the only converts who preferred rock music, and they recognized this could be a way to lead others to Christ. It wasn’t to be groundbreaking; it wasn’t to be rebellious. It was evangelism.
“We were pretty naïve. We thought, ‘[The Church] is going to love this because we are going to reach people that they could never reach,’” Hartman said.
Then they heard that a church across town was praying against them.
“It hit me like a ton of bricks — they didn’t consider us to even be part of the body of Christ or to be legitimate solely because of our music style,” he said.
Preachers preached against them. Bookstores wouldn’t stock their records. Christians would picket their concerts. At times Hartman doubted God would come through and even doubted his calling.
Pushing forward
Petra kept going because they came from a church that emphasized evangelism. They knew they were “doing God’s work and spreading God’s Word.” Soon they realized that Christians were also blessed by their music — young Christians had music they could relate to that also inspired them in their Christian walks.
Petra, even with so much to overcome, ended up with a ministry that lasted over 30 years. They would arrange an occasional concert, but didn’t plan on more.
50-year reunion
“We began in 1972 so in 2022 we were looking at 50 years. I thought we ought to just try to get back together and play again and just celebrate this milestone. We put it out there and thought, ‘Well, maybe we’ll get a few dates and some old-timers would come around and appreciate us,’” Hartman said.
It wasn’t just old-timers — generations came. Those who listened to Petra in the 70’s brought children and grandchildren. The responses were positive and were often followed by a question about another album release.
Petra believed that “maybe God could use that in people’s lives again,” and they combined their years of experience with their knowledge and talent in the music business to put out an album that, although over 50 years after the first album, sounds the same.
“Yeah, we can’t help but sound like ourselves,” Hartman said, laughing.
However, even through all the years of ups and downs, of questions and answers, Hartman knew in his heart that they were doing God’s will.
“I’ve always been aware that God may lead me to do something else in my life, but here I am. This is still what I’m doing, and I love doing it. It’s really fun to be able to go out and play again with the band, to see people respond.
‘Don’t give up yet’
“I’m glad God hasn’t called me to do something else. We’ve seen times of plenty and times of famine over the years. Somehow God has always provided the witness that was needed to say, ‘Don’t give up yet. Don’t get weary in welldoing,’” Hartman said.
Hartman’s favorite song on the album, “Looking Back,” sums it up.
“Looking back at my life, I see how God put me where He wanted me to be to learn what He wanted me to learn and gain the knowledge He wanted me to gain in order to do what He wanted me to do.
“God works all things together for good. I look at it, and now I have such gratitude to God for everything He’s done.”
To find out more about Petra, the “Hope” album, and their upcoming North American tour, go to petraband.com.
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