Brett Turner Francis
http://www.brettturnerfrancis.com/
By: Kelvin Oliver

CS: Can you share a short testimony with our readers?

BF: I was raised in a Christian home with God-following parents. Somewhere along the way I asked Jesus into my heart when I was still very young.

The real "spiritual landmark" came along for me many years later. I was a 12-year-old at a Christian camp, and one night I felt compelled to respond to an invitation to commit my life to Christian service. Even though I wasn't even a teenager, God took my promise seriously. I can honestly trace everything of significance in my life back to that night, literally step by step. That list includes the college I attended, the girl I married, and my career - all of those things point back to that night when I made a promise to God, even though I didn't know where that promise would take me.

CS: As a child,what was your childhood dream career?Is is coming to life?

BF: Yes and no...and yes! I dreamed of working in the Christian industry, both as an artist and as a behind-the-scenes guy. I even lived in Nashville for awhile. But God took all of my ambition and opened doors for me in the local church. I am still performing and writing, but the heartbeat of my ministry is in the local church, and I love it. I discovered that all of the skills I gained while pursuing an artist's career have a fulfilling outlet in the local church. That's not to say that everything I do is at my home church, but I have learned (and continue to learn) that Jesus established the Church for a very important reason, and we must all continue to nourish the body of Christ with the gifts He has given each of us.

CS: How long have you been a Christian?

BF: All of my life, really. See above.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

BF: The main focus of my ministry is encouraging people to live a lifestyle of worship. Honestly, I can't say that I "chose" this focus. God opened doors for me and put incredible mentors in my life that helped me develop as a worship leader and worship teacher. Now I spread the message that worship is the attitude we bring to God. It may be in the form of a song, or a thought that passes our mind as we see a sunset. It may be an act of service done in God's name as we care for the people He loves. But it's offering we bring to God, not an experience that we receive or come to enjoy.

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

BF: First of all, serve God in any capacity. It would be a shame for someone to miss out on an opportunity to feed and clothe the needy because they were too focused on their music. Secondly, always evaluate your personal ministry by asking "how am I encouraging people to love God and love others?" This world is full of musicians who are focused on "self-expression". Real ministry happens when we make disciples of Jesus. After all, that's what Jesus told us to do.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

BF: I've been singing and playing instruments all my life. Half of what I learn comes from lessons, and half comes from getting out and playing music - no matter where, no matter what.

I also studied at Belmont University in Nashville. That was a GREAT place to do the 50/50 thing I mentioned above. I had fantastic instructors who taught me so much, but I also had many wonderful experiences playing at great venues around the town with amazing musicians.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

BF: No, even when I was in Nashville, that wasn't an issue for me. I just wasn't ever attracted to that lifestyle. Plus, it helps for me see each person who sends me an email or wants an autograph as a person I am called to disciple. I have always made it my intention to channel any enthusiasm for my music into ministry, by the grace of God.

CS: Do you write your own music? Where do you get ideas for your music?

BF: Yes, and I love doing it. My songs are my way of journaling.

Primarily my ideas come from spiritual truths that I feel responsible to share with the people who listen to my music, reflections on experiences in my own life, and questions I am asking God.

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

BF: For sure! My stuff always sounds different to me than the rest of the songs, just because I know it inside and out.

CS: Who are some of the groups you have performed with and what did you think of them?

BF: There isn't a long list of recognizable names that I have played with, but I will say this: in the Christian music industry there is a difference between people whose love for God is the song in their heart, and people who just love singing songs about God. Sadly, it seemed like some people were singing Christian music because they loved Christian music.

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

BF: No, not now. My greater dream at the moment is to have someone else pick up my songs. Even then, I'm not pushing it at the moment. I am so deeply content with my local church ministry. If the time does come for me to have some conversations with publishers, I am confident that God will reveal it to me.

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

BF: Michael W. Smith for sure. I laugh at myself sometimes because I'd rather copy him then be innovative and blaze my own trail. There are some secular guys that I really admire too: Marc Cohn and John Mayer.

I appreciate their honesty in their writing. It's clear that they don't know God the way I do, and they occasionally promote lifestyles that I can't get on board with. But they aren't trying to appear to be something they aren't - they write out of where they are, not seeming to be too caught up in appearances, and I like that.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

BF: I'm laughing...of course! In fact, just tonight someone anonymously sent me links to a bunch of websites talking about how America will be punished because of the evils of Christian Contemporary music. It was pretty far-fetched though, so I have no trouble disregarding it.

I do take my lyrics very seriously. I have discovered that people learn their theology from Christian song lyrics, so I am very careful with what I write.

What it comes down to is this: I have a group of trusted advisors (my wife is one of them). If they point out a problem with my lyrics, I take their perspectives to heart and together we search the Bible to determine what is correct. Outside of that circle, I am glad to listen to input, but I don't give it as much weight.