Can God use a group of Alabama Baptist teenagers and rock ‘n’ roll to make an impact on a community?
Ask RockSolid.
This high school group, directed by Keith Hibbs, is using music to help introduce its audiences to Christ.
“RockSolid is an auditioned, touring ensemble with a contemporary flare that includes instrumentalists and vocalists. The group uses Intentional Evangelism with music as a medium,” said Hibbs, director of the office of worship leadership and church music for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. He started RockSolid more than 14 years ago when he felt the need to branch out stylistically while working with a more traditional all-state youth choir.
Typically composed of 12 to 15 students, RockSolid uses a variety of music in its performances. “Secular music helps draw a crowd, and we choose songs that ask a question,” Hibbs explained. “We use contemporary Christian songs to answer that question.” For the 2006–2007 tour, the group chose “Life is Good” by the Christian band Stellar Kart as its theme song but also played songs by secular artists such as Stevie Wonder and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
RockSolid embarks on an approximately five-day tour each year between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Past tour sites have included Spain, the Caribbean island of St. Maarten and several U.S. locations.
The most recent tour, Dec. 28, 2006–Jan. 1, 2007, saw the group return to the Portland, Maine, area where it has toured the past five years.
In past years, RockSolid has performed in Portland’s New Year’s Eve celebration, a huge event sponsored by the local city government. “To my knowledge, we are the only church-related group ever involved in that event,” Hibbs said.
This year, RockSolid was asked to perform at a Portland Pirates minor league hockey game in front of a sellout crowd. Additional performances were held at a local high school gym and a shopping mall.
Marilyn McClendon, minister of family life at SouthCoast Community Church, Scarborough, Maine — home base for the tour — can’t say enough good things about the students, noting “Keith never brings a group I can’t depend on.”
McClendon finds that she is able to share the gospel each time RockSolid visits the Portland area, where nine out of 10 people are lost. “The teenagers establish relationships by their behavior at local hotels and restaurants. Because of their good behavior, I have been able to share Christ with several people,” she said.
The level of musical talent within the group also provides opportunities to reach many people. “There are places we have been (allowed to minister) that would not be possible without RockSolid because of the quality and experience of the group,” McClendon explained.
RockSolid is also a growing experience for the teenagers involved.
Brandon Baker, a freshman at the University of Alabama and member of First Baptist Church, Winfield, in Marion Baptist Association, traveled with the 2005–2006 tour and said his time with the group had a real impact on his life.
“The experience taught me the importance of music in ministry and what a great influence it has. It also reinforced my decision to major in music,” he explained.
Baker highly recommends RockSolid to students looking to expand their musical abilities and experience. “The group is for anyone who believes that music does play a part in God’s work — this is RockSolid’s purpose.”
For more information, contact Hibbs at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 217, or by e-mail at khibbs@alsbom.org.
The auditioning process for RockSolid begins in September of each year and continues through mid- to late October.
RockSolid Director Keith Hibbs is looking for students in grades nine through 12 from Alabama Baptist churches “who are alive on stage in addition to their musical talents and abilities.”
He also wants to know what their Christian walk is like and requires recommendations from the students’ music and youth pastors.
In addition to vocalists, RockSolid seeks a percussionist (trap set); keyboardists; rhythm, lead and bass guitarists; and horn players.
Hibbs also directs auditioned, more traditionally styled youth choirs. OneVoice features instrumentalists and vocalists in ninth through 12th grade. NewSong features student singers in grades seven and eight.
Students interested in auditioning for RockSolid or either of the choirs may start the process by contacting Hibbs at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 217, or by e-mailing khibbs@alsbom.org.
Share with others: