Life is a race. What are you running for? Run51 is challenged to point the hearts and minds of young men and women to what truly satisfies. While popular culture often promotes the corrupt and destructive pleasures of money, power and sex, Run51 promotes freedom, peace and love given to us through the gift of the cross.

Comprised mostly of former athletes, Run51 strongly identifies with athletic culture and a desire to perform well. However, its success is not based on only winning a physical prize, but on the knowledge that the members have freedom to run for something much greater.

Jason “JB” Burris went to the Ultimate Training Camp in the early 2000s. He saw a need for more relatable music to bridge the gap between Christian songs and the contemporary urban context and sound that many of today’s athletes connect with. As a drummer, he gathered some of his friends and formed the UTC Band to bring this vision for worship to another level. From there, the mission expanded and skyrocketed into a full-blown movement. Run51 is now a collective of worship directors, youth pastors and Cru staff from around the country who are passionate about reaching people where they are at. Lead female vocalist Crystal Whitaker, lead male vocalist (and emcee) Chaz Miles, bassist Lance “Shellz” Shelton and keyboardist/producer Jeremy “JGreenChords” Green have joined JB on his mission and haven’t looked back.

Run51 is quickly expanding its reach. It has performed for audiences across the country, playing with Kutless, KJ-52, Sanctus Real, Moriah Peters and Switchfoot. The group still has a heart for college athletes and performs around the country for UTC, Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes events because that’s where it all began. However, they now use the universal languages of sport and music to reach the next generation of leaders no matter what they intend to go pro in.

Run51 is excited to keep growing, learning and impacting lives. There is no box that the band can be placed neatly in. But its energy is sure to captivate those who need to hear their message the most.

Run to Win.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 1 Corinthians 9:24

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1

-Written by Victoria Hernandez

Back to the Bible in Canada

In a recent poll by Ipsos-Reid (April 2006) 62% of Canadians stated that they believed that “through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for the forgiveness of sins.” Unfortunately, the percentage of those that attend church doesn’t come anywhere near 62%. Just one in four Canadians attends church on a weekly basis. Just a generation ago most Canadians had at least some knowledge of the what was in the Bible, but with the increase in the secularization of Canadian society over the past three decades, Biblical illiteracy in on the rise. Even though Back to the Bible has been a part of Canadian life for over 50 years, its presence is more important then ever.

Facts:
• The Canadian Radio and Television Commission, the media regulating body for Canada, didn’t allow any Christian radio stations until 1988. Since then, dozens of new Christian radio stations have gone on the air, and many of them now carry the programs of Back to the Bible. As new Christian stations get up and running, more opportunities become available.

• The province of Quebec, the heart of French-speaking Canada, is the least evangelized region in all of North and South America. Less than 1% claim to be evangelicals. The need for French-speaking Bible teaching radio programs is great.

• Back to the Bible Canada spends $850,000 a year on buying radio time. Much more is needed to impact non-English speaking Canadians with the Gospel.

Rick Seibold is a record producer, songwriter, recording artist, and worship leader based in Los Angeles, CA. His most recent notable collaborations include multiple chart-topping #1 Billboard albums, including Bethel Music’s “Have it All” and “Star-Light”. His songs have been heard in hundreds of television shows and films, including the UFC, “Bates Motel”, and “Transparent”, in ads for Ford and Reebok, and as theme songs for networks like MTV. As a solo artist, he’s had multiple albums chart on iTunes, including his debut EP, “That’s the Day”, which reached the top 5. His most recent notable co-written songs include “Glory to Glory” and “Old For New" from Bethel Music.

 

Seibold owns and operates The Ranch, a studio just south of Beverly Hills, CA. As an educator and advocate for creatives, he is helping artists navigate the brave new world of the modern music industry through his online courses and lectures at colleges and songwriting seminars across the globe.


Now an in-demand writer and producer, Seibold has collaborated with many notable artists, including Bethel Music, Katelyn Tarver, 'American Idol' winner Lee DeWyze, David Archuleta, Blake Lewis, Alex Lambert, Kat Deluna, and Ferras. Recently, he has found success in composing for film and TV, having features on dozens of shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, MTV, A&E and the CW. Rick spends most of his time writing, producing and mixing at his studio, The Ranch, located just south of Beverly Hills, CA. And more recently Rick has found joy speaking on songwriting and production at colleges across the country. When not working on music, Rick enjoys surfing, campfires and rock climbing.

Life.Church Worship is a ministry of Life.Church—an extension of the church’s mission to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. This group of pastors is passionate about creating music that leads listeners to pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus

Crossings is a Christ-centered church in Oklahoma dedicated to helping people find and follow Jesus. With campuses in Oklahoma City, Edmond, and online, we are committed to live by faith, be a voice of hope, and be known by love. Learn more at https://crossings.church.

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