Madison Greene
http://www.madisongreene.com
by Chris Hallgren

CS: What does your groups name mean?

MG: Madison: "Known by many, a blessing to all" - from a baby book
Greene: "Rejuvenation"

CS: Where did you come up with it?

MG: Actually, the original name was "Emmaus", but it was being used by another band, hence the need for another. Mike was bouncing the name around in his head for awhile-although he did not know what it meant, so it was selected just because we liked it--not because of any other deep meaning.

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

MG: Our mission statement: Madison Greene Exists:
1. To Lift up the Son of Man so he can draw people to himself.
2. To bring to light issues that are relevant to our culture and time, and close to God's heart (pro-life stand, missions).
3. To encourage believers in their faith.

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

MG: The group began when Mike met a girl on the mission field in Pakistan who lived near us. Her name was Rachael, and they played together for about a year. During that time, they picked up a guitarist, (Mike) and a bassist (Dave). When Rachael & Mike (the guitarist) left, Mike put an ad in a local paper. At this time, Mike's sister, Melissa and her friend Julia started taking over the vocal parts. After about three months, Erin answered the add. She and her boyfriend (at the time-now they are married) had just moved to Michigan to attend William Tyndale College. They met Mike , and Jason added all the percussion parts. Meanwhile, the bassist, Dave left to attend college and Bone took over his parts. There is more info in the bio on the web http://www.madisongreene.com.

CS: How long have you all been together?

MG: The band as is will have their three year anniversary in September

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

MG: The vision is to surround ourselves with people willing to do ministry from some sort of home base. We want to create a haven for those God is sending us to reach. We are not positive about the specific direction, although He seems to be leading in the direction of a single mom's ministry to begin with. Also we want to stay active and accountable to our local church, Living Water Christian Church.

CS: If you could meet any one person, past, present or future, who would you meet?

MG: Rich Mullins

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?

MG: We each had a calling to missions. In fact we spent the first summer we were together on the mission field (in five different countries!!) which some thought was foolish, since we were not together all that time. Madison Greene is a culturally relevant way to reach the lost in our generation. Each of us is willing to be a part of this ministry unless God shows us He wants us to change direction.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

MG: God has impacted our lives in real ways. This reality comes through our music.The lyrics are strongly influenced by the Word of God and the reality of identifying with Christ in our time.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

MG: Aggressive acoustic with Celtic and Tribal undertones.

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

MG: Only in some government run institutions, like secular universities. When we played at Northern Michigan, for instance, our concert was deemed a "religious activity" even though it contained no prayer, no call to convert etc. Our music is well received in Bars, clubs, secular coffeehouses, churches etc.Jesus wants to be lifted up. It is his job to draw ALL MEN unto himself. It is our job to lift him up.The pro-life stance we take is a bit controversial (even among Christian groups).However, because of the very personal way the issue has impacted our lives, God has given us an open door to speak from our hearts, not from a political platform or other agenda.

CS: Do you feel people look down on you for your type of music?

MG: Actually, the music is very well received. We are aware of some very conservative views on music, but most believers tell us they are able to really be encouraged and worship God in a new and fresh way through our music. It is true that perhaps some simply would not listen, based on the beat, or even (is they see us) on the way we look. As Jesus said though "he who has ears to hear, let them hear"...we are not sent to everyone.

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

MG: Rusted Root, Indigo Girls, Rich Mullins.

CS: Who, aside from Jesus, is or has been the biggest influence in your life?

MG: Our Pastor, Dave McWhorter Our Parents

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

MG: Our latest release, "... Think the Dancers Mad"... was released a month ago. We probably won't have another until next year. Also Liss got a tattoo.

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

MG: Pray for a hunger for the Word of God. Spend time reading and meditating on it. Hook up with a body of believers you can be accountable to and worship with. Ask God to give you a passion for the lost. Spend time on the mission field, if only short-term.

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

MG: Does God have a spiritual beard? (private joke) Seriously-the question we do ask:
How can we most effectively reach those you are sending us to while we still have time?

CS: Do you ever feel fear when you approach someone with the Gospel?

MG: We approach the presentation of the gospel as an event which has impacted our lives. Is no more fearful than telling someone about our natural birth or other events that have been a part of who we are.

CS: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

MG: Psalm 115:1: Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
This is our favorite because God is so worthy of Glory & Honor.
A close second: Lev 19:27, (not 28): Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip of the edges of your beard.

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done during one of your concerts?

MG: The Holy Spirit moves and convicts internally at the spiritual level as the music works on the outside. It is an amazing thing when the Spirit is allowed to do what He has come to do in the world. No matter how many times someone tells us that the Spirit moved, provoked thought or convicted, we are still so amazed.

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

MG: We have three (known) prayer partners:
1. We hold ourselves accountable to each other and to God
2. We meet every other week with our Pastor for direction and accountability
3. We worship communally at Living Water Christian Church, where accountability / church discipline is practiced. Most of us (Mike , Bone & Liss) still live with our parents :)