What is in a name? Well, Hearts of Saints live out their name in everything they do. They live, work, and preach for The Lord through their music. They are one heart of four saints who are one body in Christ. Craig (the bands lead singer) spoke with us about their mission, his faith, and the new album.

Although they are a talented band their music is a ministry. Craig even spoke of it as a mission. As they make the music it is as a family who works and writes together. Each member (says Craig) is a member of one body and each part has a job but the body work as one for the end means. When it comes to writing the songs Craig says that they don’t want to be divided that every person gets a say in the songs they write. Although Craig does write most of the lyrics but the band comes together to put their own talents into a song which is what makes this band unique in that they work together in every part to produce an album. Craig says that the four of them are 25% in everything they do. He says that they are four brothers who are in this together and that they have all sacrificed so much that it doesn’t make since for them not to be partners in everything they do.

Although the band sings a lot on the road Craig stated that he’d like to be more involved in his home church. Right now Craig does lead a little in worship when his is home. He says that he feels in his heart that he is called to worship.

Their new album, “Hearts of Saints” which just came out is a collection of worship, praise, dance, and just real life words of truth. Craig says the overall theme for the new album was of hope and the human struggle. Songs like “Monster” and “Over and Over” are two of the songs that demonstrate the human heart and the issues we as Christians deal with. But the hope that Craig speaks of is evident in songs like “Angels Light” and “Hello Grace”. Craig says that he hopes that when people listen to the album that they are encouraged by it and that it’s something that when they listen to it they are refreshed. He also says that it is his hope that the music physically and internally moves the listeners.

While they are four hearts united they are still a Christian band in a world where Christian music has only become popular in the past 15 or so years. When I asked Craig what the bands biggest challenge has been being a Christian band he said “I think when you label something Christian that the un-churched has a perception of what that looks like”. Craig says that the band doesn’t hide who they are and what they do he says “We are four guys who love Jesus and we make no bones about it”. It is the bands aim to change any negative perceptions that there is about Christian music. Craig told me an interesting story about a lady who told him that she was an atheist Jew who in spite of that loved the band because of their music and has been a huge Hearts of Saints supporter for a while now. For Craig that was the biggest compliment to the band. That through the music they can still change hearts of those who say they don’t believe.

While traveling on the road Craig says it’s pretty easy to stay humble when you travel in a passenger van. But that they have daily bible readings together to hold each other accountable to their faith through the scripture readings. The band members also live out their faith by being supporters of Compassion International and another ministry called TOMS Shoes which is a ministry that give shoes to children in need. Craig also likes to work with foster children.

Craig truly does demonstrate the heart of a saint. But very humbly admitted that he relates to Paul when he states that he is a wretched man and do the things that he hates to do. Craig says that without discipline, it’s hard for us to be obedient. The band wrote a song on the new album called “Monster” that talks about that very thing.

For his personal walk Craig says that he clings to Romans 10:9-10 that state “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. But Craig says that Ephesians 5:1-2 is his favorite scripture. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a sweet smelling aroma”. Craig says it’s what he believes we are called to do. We are to live a life imitating Jesus. And that we are to go and love people because He loved us, Craig says he feels this is the whole Gospel in two sentences.

So what does the heart of a saint says about who Jesus is to him? Craig says that Jesus is everything. Jesus is hope, the reason to sing, He is the song that Craig sings. And that without Jesus there is no life and that Jesus is the reason that Craig lives every day.

I have to tell you that when doing this interview that both Craig and his wife were both very ill with the flu. But not even that would stop him from giving his time to share his faith with us. This is truly the heart of a saint.

The new album is in stores now but can be purchase from the bands website where you can also learn more about Craig as well as Jason, Joel and L.J. The band is also on tour right now. Just click on the tour link of their site to find out when they will be near you. They are an energetic band who’s love for the music and whose faith is evident in every show. So you don’t want to miss them when they are in your area.