THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411040094
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE MAJOR GOAL of the Contemporary Christian performer is obvious: to bring people to Jesus. But isn't that akin to preaching to the converted?
``Sometimes, even those who know Jesus need to be told again about him,'' said Kirk Sullivan of 4HIM. ``It's like getting slapped then saying, `Thanks, I needed that.'
``It's a ministry of restoration for people who are Christians and need to be encouraged, for people who've been hurt, who've fallen, who've made mistakes.''
4HIM seems to have made none since its self-titled debut four years ago, an album spawned the No. 1 Contemporary Christian hit of 1990, ``Where There is Faith.'' The critics love them; the album-buying public and concertgoers have been more than kind.
Their performance tonight at First Assembly Church of God in Virginia Beach, one of about 110 during the concert tour, is in support of ``The Ride,'' the group's fifth album since leaving Truth in 1990.
It was a smart move. 4HIM has had seven No. 1 singles and the Gospel Music Association handed the band back-to-back Dove Awards in 1993 and 1994 for Group of the Year. ``For Future Generations,'' the current single, is in the Top 5.
``Contemporary Christian music,'' said Sullivan, 35, ``is growing by leaps and bounds, especially during the last two years. Many of the top-selling artists are those in Contemporary Christian music.''
That genre made some ugly headlines earlier this year when it was revealed that one of its best-known performers, Michael English, fathered a child out of wedlock.
``I don't think it's hurt Christian music, but it did lose a little bit of credibility,'' Sullivan said. ``What hurt even more was how some people (in Christian music) responded. `Oh,' they said, `he messed up.' They jumped all over him. Instead, they should make this a time of restoration.''
Next year will be a time for larger venues for Sullivan, Andy Chrisman, Mark Harris and Marty Magehee. ``We're going to go into arenas. We'll co-headline with Sandi Patti.''
No matter where they go, 4HIM always issues altar calls and offers messages in song that, Sullivan said, ``are very direct.'' MEMO: CONCERT FACTS
Who: 4HIM, Bruce Carroll, Steve Geyer and Keith Dudley
When: 7:30 tonight.
Where: First Assembly Church of God, Great Neck Road and Old Donation
Parkway, Virginia Beach
Tickets: $13, $11 advance, group rates; available at Heaven & Earth
at Pembroke and Lynnhaven malls, Virginia Beach, and Greenbrier Mall,
Chesapeake
Information: 482-0589 or 481-5005 ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BENSON
Marty Magehee, clockwise, Kirk Sullivan, Andy Chrisman and Mark
Harris make up the Contemporary Christian group 4HIM.
by CNB