Rick Nelson of Sending Jonah
by Jessica

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

Rick: We were actually in different bands playing at the same concert/event when we met. After a couple of years had gone by and we weren’t playing in the same bands anymore, we got back in touch with each other and slowly began putting things together.

CS: How long have you all been together? How long has the group been in existence, not counting any possible changes in members?

Rick: We’ve been playing together now for two years. All original members.

CS: What kind of equipment do you use?

Rick: Dustin, our lead guitar player, plays a Les Paul studio through a Marshall stack. Chong, our bass player plays a Spectre bass, through an Ampeg bass cabinet. Josh, our drummer plays through a pearl kit and I play a Martin acoustic.

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

Rick: Our main focus is definitely the lost. Everyone is lost without Christ. satan doesn’t just seek out a certain demographic to destroy. But on the positive flip side of that, God doesn’t seek out a certain demographic of people to save either. Jesus came so that all could have life. I think we want to portray that as best we can you know? Just to admit to everyone and be like: “Hey man, we’re all jacked up without Christ. We all struggle and fall, but Jesus loves us and wants to help us and make us right.”

CS: What does your groups name mean?

Rick: Sending Jonah comes from the story of Jonah in the bible. I love how it shows how human Jonah really was. Like all of us, we don’t always do what God wants. And sometimes God has to get our attention by doing crazy things. Like Jonah being swallowed up by that huge fish. I know though with all my heart, that if that wouldn’t have happened to Jonah, something far worse would have happened. God knew that Jonah wouldn’t be content or happy not doing what God had made him to do. It was God’s will for Jonah to go to Ninevah. And God loved Jonah, like He does us too, so much that He didn’t want Jonah to go through life not living his destiny. The coolest thing though is that once Jonah does obey and goes to Ninevah, we totally see God move big time and everyone in that city gets right with God. I love that! Now that’s the bomb!!

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

Rick: That’s hard to say. I’d like to say that in the future we’ll be successful, looking back on all of our spiritual and musical accomplishments, but only God knows. I’m cool with what He wants.
Sometimes He has to help me be cool with what He wants, but He’s faithful. I want God’s perfect will to be done with our lives. I want us to be at peace with Him in all we do.

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

Rick: Yes. I do worry about it. The music industry both secular and Christian is wacked. Not every aspect, but a lot of it is pretty uncool. I just want to stay focused on The Lord and surround myself with family and solid friend’s that love God and my family so we can be accountable. A lot of it comes down to knowing I’m doing what God called me to do too. His Spirit and protection is everything. I don’t want to do anything where I don’t feel like I have Him going before me to clear the way.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

Rick: We love our fans. We try as much as possible to interact with them. Some of our favorite times, I’m sure the whole band will agree is hanging with everyone before and after the shows.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

Rick: Aggressive melodic rock.......I guess. : )

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

Rick: We all would probably answer a little different, but mine are, to name only a few: Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Matchbox 20, Live, Switchfoot, Fuel etc.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

Rick:I help with worship at our church sometimes. I lead worship at different events too.

CS: Do you have any advice for the youth of today?

Rick: Stay true. Jesus is everything. Don’t ever let people suck you into thinking that this life or anything will fulfill you without Him. Put yourself around people that really love God and really want to see other people fall in love with Him. Spend yourself.

CS: What people have influenced you (non-musicians)?

Rick: My family and friends. Two people I’ll name are my close friend Rick Gately and my friend Michael Chamlee. Thet’re both like father figures to me. They show me by example to just keep following Jesus, no matter what. #1 though is my wife. She knows the Jeckle and the Hide of me. She’s someone that radiates the very essence of Christ. She loves without fail.

CS: What's one tv show you can't live without?

Rick: Oh man!!! Survivor all the way!!!! Have to watch it!! If I absolutely have to do something else, we tape it.

CS: If you were stranded on an island, and could only have five things, what would they be?

Rick: Do people count as things? Well if so, then it’d definitely be: My wife, our two kiddos, my bible and my guitar. No doubt in my mind.

To learn more about Sending Jonah, go to www.sendingjonah.com