Tag: Houghton University

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Anxiety

By Rhyan Lorenc ('26)

    Sometimes I love harassing myself over things I’ve done in the past. This obsession I’ve had with my previous and minor mistakes has cost me so much, even someone I cherished more than anything on this planet. Having anxiety is one of the worst things a human could have. People with anxiety are constantly worried and continuously going over the many variables and different outcomes a certain situation could have, and like many others, this mental disorder has done so many things to hold me back. It’s taken me 20 years to finally face reality, I am finally seeing a therapist, I’m finally taking medicine to counteract these thoughts that I have on a regular basis. Do I look back and regret a lot of the things that happen? Yes, I do. Do I wish I could change the things that happened?? In a way, but I wouldn’t have gotten the help I required if I didn’t get the wake-up call I needed. I didn’t see that then, but I do see it now. 

Anxiety, a disorder of the mind that sees a person have a constant feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It’s something that plagues the world and many may not notice it, may not recognize it, but is truly a part of their lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 7% of children aged 3-17 experience issues with anxiety each year. Most people develop symptoms before age 21.” To me anxiety is like that magical stuffed animal that you don’t remember getting that just shows up in your room one day. Or it’s that childhood toy that lies dormant in your basement until you dig it up one day. It’s something you don’t recognize at first, but more and more, events of life shape it more into reality, more into your peripheral vision. 

There is not just one type of anxiety disorder, there are actually many anxiety disorders. Some of these include, but are not limited to; Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Separation anxiety disorder, and Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5- text revision (DSM 5-TR) “Anxiety disorders include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.” (pg.215) Anxiety is the fear of being embarrassed in public. Being away from a safe space that you can go to just to be yourself.

I am here to tell you, be yourself. Be your goofy, silly, crazy, annoying, chatty, emotional self. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be scared to be yourself, to go seek help. Criticizing yourself every now and then is ok, it helps build strength and pushes you to get better, but berating yourself constantly is not. Go, seek help, go find someone to talk to and someone who won’t judge you. Finding help and talking to someone has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, I feel so much better, both mentally and physically. There is a stigma in this world that going to talk to a therapist means you’re weak, no, it just means that you care for yourself, you care for your health. Help break the stigma around mental health. It is ok to not be ok. Let that resonate with you as you go about your day to day lives, through all the ups and downs of being a college student. Seek peace within yourself, trust me, and more importantly trust God, it helps more than you could ever imagine. ★

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Campus News

The Door of Paradise

Chamber Choir Rehearsal
Chamber Choir Rehearsal - Courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery 
by Danielle Skinner ('27)

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Houghton University’s (HU) Chamber Choir will be performing in the Center for the Arts (CFA) Atrium. The performance is titled The Door of Paradise. 

The Chamber Choir is the most elite of HU’s choirs and requires a year-long commitment. Only sixteen spots are available that students must audition for.

The choir is directed by Dr. Kevin Dibble, the Associate Director of the Greatbatch School of Music, Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music. 

Junior Susannah Denham ‘26, a choir member since the spring of 2024, explained that the Chamber Choir is unique compared to other campus choirs.

“We don’t usually perform music for large choirs and we do mostly a cappella pieces,” Denham noted. “Since we only rehearse twice a week, less than any other choir on campus, everyone is a strong musician and confident in sight reading.”

Denham commented on the importance of the “performer-audience relationship.” The ensemble needs the audience, and she said the choir wants to share their hard work and “this beautiful combination of pieces” with listeners.

“Personally I’m excited to perform these pieces for family and friends,” Denham said, and added that “Dr. Dibble has arranged a beautiful collection of compositions, each with a story and depth behind them.” 

In addition to traditional and modern pieces, the choir will also perform pieces composed by HU students and faculty. 

“Each piece is truly incredible,” she said. 

Denham stated that out of their music selection, she particularly enjoys “Song for Athene”, “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” and “Heart Fire”. “Song for Athene” is a musical composed by John Tavener with lyrics by Mother Thekla, an Orthodox nun. It was written after Tavener’s family friend, Athene Hariades, was killed in a cycling accident. “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” is one of Dan Forrest’s best-known a cappella pieces based on Ruth’s plea in the Bible. “Heart Fire” is composed by Carrie Magin (https://www.carriemagin.com/store/heart-fire) who explained it “expresses a raw abandon that comes from the beauty of experience and from the natural world around us.”

Denham advised attendees to “pay attention to the texts and how the music supports them and creates a specific atmosphere.” 

Faculty and students alike are encouraged to attend the performance. ★

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Opinions

It’s Time to Kick Pelagius Out of the Church

Paul Claydon ('28)

In the late 4th century into the early 5th century there lived a theologian named Pelagius. Pelagius denied the doctrine of original sin and taught that man was basically good and could achieve salvation through his own efforts. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of St. Augustine, Pelagius was condemned as a heretic and excommunicated from the church. His heresy may not have prospered at his time but it prospered later on and it’s prospering right now in our churches. A famous preacher Billy Graham once said that God “has made it possible for all men to be saved. But the Bible indicates that salvation depends upon man’s willingness to be saved.” Another famous preacher R.C. Sproul said the exact opposite.

He said that if he was ever convinced that salvation was based on man’s willingness to choose Christ freely that would have to quit preaching because he  “would have no hope whatsoever that the work of evangelism would be successful or that preaching would bring any fruit.” Both these great preachers articulated different views of how salvation works, Arminianism and Calvinism. Arminianism teaches that salvation is based on a person’s response to God’s grace and no one is predestined to go to heaven or to hell. Calvinism teaches that God predestines those who are elect to be saved and a person’s salvation is a result of God’s sovereign election of them. But before we can have debates about predestination we make it clear that God must initiate with us first if we are to be saved and not the other way around.

While I may not fully agree with the soteriology of R.C. Sproul, I agree with him that man is completely depraved and incapable of coming to God on his own unless God does something to change that first. While Evangelicals like Bill Graham may not explicitly endorse the heresy of pelagianism or semi-pelagianism, by believing it is their job to assist the will in choosing Christ they undermine the role of God’s saving grace in our salvation. They become salesmen instead of pastors. They preach as if Pelagius was right both pre and post salvation. Much of the modern Evangelical churches treat people not as sinners but as seekers before salvation and after salvation they treat them like customers in need of servicing and not believers in need of discipleship. Pelagius lives and thrives inside the American mega church. A mega church is not the size of the church it’s the mentality of the church.

The problem with the mentality of these churches is that in treating people as seekers and customers and is that they will never confront someone’s sin and they have the incentive to tell people what they want to hear and not what they need to hear because they don’t want to lose their customers. They don’t act like churches, they act like corporations. Before we can debate the doctrines of predestination, whether that be single or double predestination, we must first kick Pelagius out of the church.

To do this we must stop acting as if when someone gets offended by the truth and walks away from God that we’re responsible for their damnation because we didn’t do it right. It is not our job to turn people on or off for Christ. It’s our job to preach the gospel and pursue justice and mercy. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to do the convicting and the transformation of hearts. To sum up, the return of Pelagian ideas in modern churches challenges Christian beliefs. Pelagius denied original sin and said people can achieve salvation on their own.

This weakens the main beliefs of grace and God’s power. Some churches focus too much on being seeker-friendly and lose true discipleship. This change ignores God’s role in salvation, aligning with Pelagian views. Before arguing about predestination, it’s important to remember that God starts salvation, not human effort. Churches should preach the gospel honestly and trust the Holy Spirit to change hearts. This way, they can focus on human sinfulness and God’s power. Only then can churches remove Pelagius’s influence and focus on truth and discipleship. ★

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Campus News

Winter Dance: Dusk Til Dawn

DJ music board
Winter Dance DJ Board - Courtesy of - Unsplash Zac Brombell
by Abigail Bates '26

Tomorrow—from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.—the Campus Activities Board (CAB) is hosting “Winter Dance: Dusk Til Dawn” in the Reinhold Campus Center (CC) basement.

Sophomore Gracie Stickels ‘27 said last year’s theme was “winter ball.”

“It was the perfect balance of fancy and fun,” she said, adding that “the snacks, drinks, and decorations were pretty and sophisticated while the energy of the dance floor was off the charts!”

Stickles oversees this year’s dance with help from her fellow CAB members. She has been busy working with Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry, reserving dance space, acquiring sound equipment, shopping for supplies, creating posters and “curating a playlist for the dance.”

“It’s been a busy past week for sure,” she said, “but I am so grateful for my fellow team members, and I’m excited to see how it goes!”

In light of their desire to play with the contrasting nature of dusk and dawn, Stickles explained that the CC basement will be split in half with two different snack tables and photo booths. One side will highlight themes and colors of dusk and the other will do so of dawn. Stickles encourages attendees to pick a side, dressing fancy or casual, and match the corresponding color scheme “like Dawn-yellow, orange, pink and Dusk-blue, purple, black, etc.”

The hardest parts about preparing for the dance have been planning, estimating and staying under budget, Stickles said. Another CAB member, Aivery Shuck ‘26, noted that it’s hard to find a “suitable space for the dance as well as setting up all the decorations.” Shuck is the CAB Athletics Representative and assists with setting up the space, buying food and drinks, and “making sure everyone has a wonderful time!”

Although dancing was prohibited in Houghton University’s (formerly known as Houghton College) past, dance events are common now. Stickles described these dances as places where people may make new friendships and connections with other students. 

“Due to Houghton’s location, it can be difficult to find places to go out with friends,” Stickles expressed. “To help with this, dances pave the way for a safe and local option for people to have an incredibly fun night mingling and dancing with others.”

Shuck described the dances as “a chance to get together with friends and have a good time dancing, chatting, and getting lots of free snacks!” She said that the only expectation for attendees is to have fun.

“Houghton,” Stickles said, “is very focused on the importance of community and we want to bring students, from all areas, together for a night of dancing and mingling.”

“We hope to see you there!” Stickles added. ★

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Campus News

Rise of The Boulder

Stack of Yearbooks The Boulder
Boulder Houghton Yearbooks - Courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery
by Jiana Martin '26

For the past 100 years, The Boulder has been Houghton University’s (HU) yearbook. It was founded in 1924 and named in commemoration of a memorial boulder located across from Fancher Hall near the Houghton sign. The boulder marks the grave of Copperhead, the last Seneca man to live in Houghton, N.Y.

The Seneca tribe—a part of Allegany country’s original inhabitants— were forced from the Genesee Valley onto reservations during the Westward Expansion. Copperhead refused to leave because he claimed he was never paid for his land. He became a local icon and lived off charity until his death in 1864 at 120-years-old (he claimed). Copperhead was originally buried at the intersection of Centerville and Old River Road, but in 1910 his remains were moved to the top of campus when his burial site was beginning to be destroyed by the creek. As a proper memorial, Leonard Houghton (Willard J. Houghton’s son) donated the boulder that still sits there today.  

The Boulder was faithfully published by students for 91 consecutive years until 2015. Student involvement in the yearbook decreased and yearbooks were also absent for 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022. In 2023, The Boulder was re-established by a group of students and made an official campus club. There was some pushback about re-starting the yearbook as involvement and sales have decreased over the past years. IBISWorld, a research firm, estimated a 4.7% decline in sales from yearbook publishing industries to schools. 

Despite the pushback, the dedicated yearbook staff created the 2024-2025 edition and is now working on the 2025-2026 edition. 

“The yearbook is how we treasure the memories that we make in college,” said Senior Jo Borges Edwards ‘25, the managerial editor of The Boulder. “Years from now, we might barely remember the members of our student organization or athletic team, but we will always be able to go to the yearbook to relive those memories.” 

The Boulder staff want all classes to be included, which is why although the “yearbook has historically been targeted toward seniors” Borges Edwards said that “since we [The Boulder staff] restarted the organization in Fall 2023, we have had the goal of making a yearbook that includes everyone because we are all Houghton.”

Zoe Zachery ‘27 (a managerial assistant) and Ethan Scally ‘27 (a member of the managerial team and photographer) also believe the yearbook is an important part of HU. 

“Life moves so quickly that sometimes we might forget about the little things that happen. By having a yearbook, we are given the chance to hold on to those memories and look back on them for years to come,” said Zachery.

Scally added that the yearbook “holds all the memories made on campus either with friends, at events, and/or just everyday life.”

It has been fulfilling for Borges Edwards to have the opportunity to put together people’s best memories. Zachery finds joy in the opportunity to form connections with various people she has not met before.

“I love taking pictures and getting them so that we, as a community and ‘family,’ have a memento of our times in college because, as they say, these are the best days of our life,” Scally reflected.

Help preserve Houghton memories by submitting your photos to The Boulder at boulder@houghton.edu. ★

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Opinions

Out of Season: The Death of Christmas Music?

By Jackson Collins '27

The day is November 28, 2024:Thanksgiving. Location: my house. I was minding my own business listening to Christmas music out of a speaker as my father walked by. “Not in my house,” he responded, and astonished at his remark, I reasoned with him. “Santa’s already here! The parade!” I insisted. “No,” he said, and he demanded that I turn the music off. 

Now, this response from my father was sensical and good intentioned, but I was taken aback. I love Christmas music. Those nostalgic songs sung during Christmas time seem to have that “special sauce”. While I love Christmas music, there are some songs (you know them) that are deeply irritating. I can speak for the people on this one, we all want Mariah Carey to stay in the freezer as long as possible, but we shouldn’t toss out all Christmas songs. 

Friends, brothers, comrades in Christ, I plead with you. Although some seasonal songs might be pleasing to the ear for a time , we cannot forget the timeless classic, the meaning of Christmas; that is, Lil’ baby Jesus. Those defending prematurely sung Christmas songs frequently rebut that“Christmas music always hits,” but this is simply not the case. Not all Christmas music “hits,” as the kids say. But songs of worship to the timeless God of glory, Jesus Christ, are always worth listening to. Not to mention, this is the season celebrating the Virgin Birth and the Word made flesh. We are told to “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14 NIV). This verse is speaking about reminding each other of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and faithfulness towards us. God sending His Son as a baby is the culmination of many generations’ hope for redemption from the Lord. Is it possible to detach the Christmas song stereotypes from music about the nativity of our Christ? Has the awe and the wonder of Emmanuel been sapped out of us by superficial music? Do we regard Christmas music about Jesus the same way as other songs? Regardless of the reason, the real purpose for Christmas—embracing God’s gift of Jesus—is not something  I cherish enough. I encourage you all to think upon these things and “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). ★

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Campus News

Christmas Prism Concert

Prism Concert 2023
Prism - Courtesy - Houghton University Instagram
by Aivery Schuck ('26)

It is that time of year again when Houghton University (HU) hosts the annual Christmas Prism Concert. So mark your calendars for this Friday and Saturday! 

Prism is a Houghton Christmas tradition that celebrates the festive season with music, joy and reflection. 

“The annual event started as a way to bring the community together to kick-off the Advent and Christmas season, with the intention to make the message of  Christ’s birth accessible to the larger community,” Senior Director of Community Engagement Phyllis Gaerte explained. She added that “Christmas is a time when many people are more open to the Gospel story than any other time of the year.”

It is a great opportunity for community members, Houghton students and people traveling from out of town to see the wonderful production conducted by HU’s music department. This year’s 2024 show is called “What Child Is This?” 

Emma Podobinski ‘27, a choir student participating in the concert, said that “Prism is a collective concert from many of the music ensembles on campus. You can expect many festive pieces from the choirs, orchestras, and smaller student groups! There will be some known and loved carols, but also some unique Christmas pieces! There will be scripture readings following the story of Christmas as well.” 

Audiences are invited to sing along to some pieces. 

All of the students and faculty participating in the show have been rehearsing in their individual ensembles long before the Christmas season even began. All of the performers have been working hard to prepare. 

Susannah Denham ‘26, a member of the Houghton choir, encourages audiences to “listen carefully to the words in the pieces being performed, and even in the carols you may be singing in the audience.”

“These lyrics are often rich and deep,” she added. 

Denham mentioned a verse in “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” that speaks about “erasing Adam’s image from us and being reinstated in Christ’s love.”  She added that even pieces with no lyrics “glorify God in their beauty and excellence.”

When asked how much the Prism concert impacts the Hougton community, Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry said that “it is a beautiful moment in the typically hectic season, it calls us to slow down, despite all the work and effort that goes into the performance, and celebrate music and joy. Even if it’s just one night where we can sit and listen and participate in the true spirit of the Christmas season, it’s worth it!”

After Friday’s performance, the Campus Activities Board will be hosting the After Prism Gala in the Center for the Arts atrium from 9:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. ★

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Campus News

Christmas Arts and Craft Fair

Christmas Craft Fair
Christmas Craft Fair - Courtesy Houghton University Instagram
by Kelsey Curtis ('27)

Each year, Houghton University holds a Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair in the final weeks of the fall semester. Vendors from surrounding areas will share their crafts in the Reinhold Campus Center (CC) next Friday. 

Although the University Community Engagement Center sponsors the event, student interns help organize it. This year’s interns include Rileigh Studley ‘25, Marjorie Gassler ‘25 and Lilly Turner ‘25.

Studley and Gassler highlighted a few changes to the fair from past years. First, Studley shared that student artists will be playing live music from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Although it is a small change, Studley believes it “will provide some extra holiday cheer for the craft fair.” 

Gassler emphasized a large change to the craft sale’s layout. She shared that in past years, to accommodate more vendors, some tables were placed in the CC basement. But unfortunately, they got a lot less traffic because not everyone realized there were more booths downstairs. This year, all vendors will be on the first floor of the CC so that everyone has an equal chance to see more customers. 

Gassler and Studley expressed excitement for the event, not only as planners but also as participants. Both agreed that the fair is a great way of bringing the community together, especially “to get local artists connected with students,” said Gassler. 

Studley added that it provides a way for “our student body to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Gassler reflected that helping plan the fair was useful because it “is a great way for me to apply what I have learned in my interpersonal and organizational communication and social media marketing coursework.”

As students attending the fair, they are excited about different aspects of it. 

Studley said she looks forward to “listening to the Christmas music playing, sipping on a hot chocolate, and walking around looking at all of the cool products people have made!” 

Gassler finds the fair is a great place to do Christmas shopping and loves supporting local artists and other students.

This year, over 50 vendors are participating in the fair.  A vast variety of crafts will be sold “from baked goods to jewelry, to art, to alpaca socks” and “from pottery to baklava to goat’s milk skincare products.” 

Studley said it is their “hope that there will be something for everyone!” 

There will also be some student vendors located in the Encore Suite. Hannah Fish ‘27 will be a student vendor and expressed her excitement for the event. Fish began making ceramics in her senior year of high school and is excited to share what she’s made. She will sell mugs, garden planters, jewelry platters, “juice-box cups” and more. 

Fish also participated in the Harvestival Craft Sale this Fall, which was her first time having a table alone. She said that she was initially nervous, but “everyone [was] so supportive, excited, and curious” that it was hard to be anxious during the sale. 

“I’m making things I enjoy making,” Fish shared, “and I love Christmas and gift-giving so the fair helps me share unique handmade gifts, and I get to buy some too!” 

She hopes to continue participating in craft sales like those at HU.

The Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ★

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Stories In Focus

Grace Vuolo

by Rebecca Dailey ('25)

Grace Vuolo, a recent graduate from the Houghton University class of 2024, is gearing up to release her debut single between Christmas and New Year’s. “Congratulations”,  an Indie pop track, featuring a hint of punk influence and showcases Vuolo’s growth both as a songwriter and performer.

“I write all my songs from experience,” said Vuolo, reflecting on the inspiration behind her new single. “I wrote this song after realizing that I needed to start taking care of myself instead of just being the peacekeeper I had always been. I had let others control my life and knew it was time for a change.”

The song’s themes of self-empowerment and personal growth are a central part of Vuolo’s music, which she hopes will resonate deeply with her listeners. 

“I’ve been singing since I was a toddler, and I’ve been songwriting since I was five years old, although I started seriously at twelve and singing at fourteen.” She added that “Music has always been my expressive outlet, and I hope that my songs help others feel seen and hopeful.”

Vuolo’s journey in music has been a long one, but she advises anyone interested in pursuing music to keep going, no matter the challenges. “If you love it, don’t give up! The road to success isn’t always clear, but passion and persistence matters more than anything,” she shared. Her goal is to provide others with a means of self-expression, and she encourages young artists to think about the impact their music can have on others.

“Congratulations” will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. Vuolo performs under the stage name “Ian.”

Adding to the excitement surrounding the release, Vuolo has also directed the music video for the single, featuring fellow student Alaska Dunstan ‘25. Dunstan, who plays a role in the video, spoke about the unique experience. 

“This is my first time acting, and it’s been so exciting!” Dunstan said. “I’ve never worked with film before, so it’s been fascinating to see how everything works. Grace has been amazing in guiding the visuals, and we’ve had a lot of fun in the process.” She noted that the set was full of energy and laughter, a refreshing balance to the serious work of bringing the video to life.

Dr. Sharon Johnson praised Vuolo for her maturity and growth. “Grace has an incredible ability to light up a stage, whether she’s performing as a singer or actor,” she said. “It’s been a joy to watch her grow, not just as a musician, but as a person.”

With the upcoming release of “Congratulations”, Vuolo is not only marking a significant milestone in her career but also offering a piece of her heart and journey to all. Listeners can expect a song that’s both introspective and anthemic, a reflection of the artist’s evolution as she steps confidently into the spotlight. ★

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Columns

Jesus Freak Album Review

Written By: Nate Newcomer (’28)

Are you a Christian? Do you like music? Do you possess a pulse? If you answered yes, you should check out the 1995 album Jesus Freak by DC Talk. Back in the ’90s, when rock ruled the world of contemporary Christian music, one of the biggest names in the game was DC Talk, consisting of TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max. In 1995, they released Jesus Freak, which many (including myself) consider the greatest Christian rock–nay, the greatest Christian music album of all time. Just ask your parents–if they were Christian teenagers in the ‘90s, they probably knew about this album.

Jesus Freak starts strong with “So Help Me God,” a straight-up rock song asking God to help us put our faith in Him instead of the world. Next is “Colored People,” which observes the “beauty in the tones of our skin,” and calls for a turn from ignorance and toward God. Following this is the titular song “Jesus Freak,” a rock song that takes pride in rebelling against the world and following Jesus no matter what people say. The album slows down musically with “What if I Stumble?”, a ballad that will resonate with anyone questioning their faith. It picks up again with “Day by Day,” a plea to grow closer to God, before taking a break for “Mrs. Morgan,” a brief anecdote from a woman who lived next to DC Talk’s recording studio. After this interlude is “Between You and Me,” a melodic, acoustic guitar-driven song about repentance and forgiveness. The album returns to rock with “Like It, Love It, Need It,” a song declaring that we can only find peace of mind in God, not the things of this world. The goofier side of the trio shines through in “Jesus Freak – Reprise,” a cover of “Jesus Freak” that will catch you off-guard on your first listen. Next is my personal favorite song not just on the album, but possibly of all time, “In the Light.” This acoustic song is a passionate cry to be like Jesus but and be with Him someday too. The album winds down with “What Have We Become?”, a darker, moody song examining the hate, greed, and hypocrisy that has befallen the world. “Mind’s Eye,” the final song on the album, explores faith in an unseen God and imagining being with Him. The album closes with “Alas, My Love,” a poem written and spoken by Kevin Max with neat, almost orchestral background music accompanying it.

From the first song to the closing poem, Jesus Freak is flawless. Lyrically, this album is clever, honest, amusing, raw, and insightful. (The titular song in particular has some of the most clever lyrics I’ve heard on this side of Steve Taylor. Go listen to him, too.) Its themes of racism, sin, and shamelessly living out the gospel still apply as much today as they did nearly thirty years ago. Stylistically, this album was (and in my opinion still is) unprecedented. Songs such as “So Help Me God,” “Jesus Freak,” and “Like It, Love It, Need It,” expertly fuse elements of hip hop/rap with rock and roll– an unheard-of combination at the time, and one that I have still yet to hear anywhere else. In addition to its rock/rap hybrid songs, there are a few acoustic songs sprinkled in with “What If I Stumble?”, “Between You and Me,” and “In the Light.” There truly is something here for everyone. Musically, this album is sensational. Grungy electric guitar, soulful acoustic guitar, funky bass, peppy drums, and even a solid mandolin solo can all be found here. Vocally, Jesus Freak is similarly unmatched. TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max all have fantastic voices (the latter two especially) and they let none of their talent go to waste. The three singers harmonize excellently and two-to-three-part harmonies are frequent on the album. Psalm 33:3 instructs us to “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” And boy, did DC Talk live out that verse with this album. Jesus Freak offers 13 new, groundbreaking, and extremely skillfully crafted songs. So the next time you’ve got an hour of spare time, I highly encourage you to listen to DC Talk’s Jesus Freak. From its timeless lyrics to its excellent sound and everything in between (and I do mean everything), this album is simply amazing and unlike anything else in the world of Christian music. ★