Allysonhymn (All Eyes on Him)
by Trisha

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

Allysonhymn: Our group formed from three young men having a vision to share the love of Jesus with everyone. We're a six piece band now, as we have picked up three more guys since we started a year and a half ago.

CS: How long have you all been together?

Allysonhymn: I guess I got ahead of myself.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting?

Allysonhymn: Everybody that needs Jesus. We don't discriminate against anybody.

CS: Where did you come up with your groups name?

Allysonhymn: Brandon and Andre (lead singer/guitarist and bassist) called the group All eyes on Him back when it was just a prison ministry. shortly after, Brandon's father-in-law changed the spelling to Allysonhymn.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

Allysonhymn: By God's grace, we're looking to go national and global with the ministry. We don't know how long it will take, but He knows the plans He has for us, to give us a future and a hope.

CS: Do you ever feel that you are not ready Spiritually to be performing and ministering as you are doing now?

Allysonhymn: Honestly, I can't answer for all the guys. We have a strong accountability among us, and we're really honest and open about our lives, personal and otherwise. Sometimes I feel that God could be using someone other than me, but His Spirit is always quick to give me reassurance of my calling. We're all called in this together, and the unity among us is very strong. We trust the Spirit in each other during the show, you never really know where it's headed sometimes, but it always turns out all right. We know what it is not to walk with Jesus, and we've all been there. We hate being very far from God, we know the reward lies within His presence. Not ready? no. Unworthy and humbled? yes.

CS: If you could ask Jesus any one question, what would you ask?

Allysonhymn: Again, I can't speak for everyone, but I personally would ask: What can I do for You, Lord, that could possibly bring you more glory?

CS: When and how did you accept Christ into your heart? Can you share a short testimony?

Allysonhymn: I was a party man in high school and college. the last year I went was to a Christian college in Raliegh, NC. I'm a preacher's kid, so I knew the deal, I knew the doctrines, etc... I had a head knowledge like you wouldn't believe. Well, at this college, there was a missions major. All the missions majors were doing a drama about a missionary who was martyred for Jesus in the 60's in China. At the point when the gun went off, and my suitemate slumped over dead, Jesus asked me in my heart, "Would you do that for me? Would you give that much for me?" Immediately, the practicality of that conviction set in like a Mack truck, and I ran to the altar to give my life to Him. I was 20 years old. I had told Jesus I loved Him a million times, but my life killed my words before I could speak them. I never really realized the part about relationship until then.

CS: When did you feel called to perform in a group like this? Have you felt God's hand guiding you towards this all along?

Allysonhymn: I've been in music since I was four, so the all along part is pretty right for me. I knew I was to be in the group after I recorded the first project with them. It just fit.

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from performing and ministering through music?

Allysonhymn: If your heart does not have the right motivation, you won't make it. If it's all about you, people will see you don't care for them at all, and everything you do for any motive other than glorifying God will make you a failure.

CS: Do you write your own music?

Allysonhymn: Yes, all of it. Except for the worship choruses we do.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

Allysonhymn: Our own circumstances (daily walk with God), Praise and Worship, and Scripture.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

Allysonhymn: Wow, that's a big one! Skillet, Sonicflood, Michael W. Smith, Delerious, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Tesh (for me), Third Day, P.O.D. and Project 86(for Stefan), Model Engine, Every kind of worship CD you can think of.

CS: Who do you look up to the most in life?

Allysonhymn: Probably our fathers and pastors, respectively, and bands that aren't caught up in themselves or the hype of the industry. Real people.

CS: Do you ever feel fear when you approach someone with the Gospel? I know I sure do!

Allysonhymn: There's always that initial qwalm of: What will this person think of me? Never from the stage though, never a problem. Probably because the anointing of the Spirit of God, and we know that's His show, His service. one on one ministry is the best after the show though, when we get to pray with people.

CS: Are you involved in your own home churches?

Allysonhymn: I lead worship at mine, as do Caleb, Josh, and Stefan. Brandon and Andre are involved with the youth at their church. We all have obligations that keep us driving home at 3 or 4 in the morning after a Saturday night gig sometimes... we're all committed, though, that's the most important thing.

CS: Do you have an accountability partner or prayer partner to keep you encouraged and uplifted?

Allysonhymn: there's six of us in the band, so we each have five! Like I said before, we're really open about everything, i've never know anything like it before.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

Allysonhymn: Hopefully, our next project, "Home", will be out for sale online this October. We're having a killer busy summer, so recording has been put off to play instead.

CS: Any plans to sign with a major Label in the near future?

Allysonhymn: only if it's God's plan for us. we'd like to have a deal, but if not, it won't kill us.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

Allysonhymn: Regret is a horrible thing to deal with. Live your life today in such a way that tomorrow you won't regret today. God's forgiveness is always free, but shouldn't be taken advantage of. Also, have a passionate walk with Jesus. Be so close to Him, you'll know what He wants you to do with everything in your life.