Ben Crist| Formerly of The Glorious Unseen

Written By: Jameson Ketchum

Last year, Ben Crist announced that he would be spending the current season of his life interning at The International House of Prayer in Kansas City, rather than touring the country with his long time love The Glorious Unseen. Fans were surprised but supportive of Crist’s choice. He had had a tough few years and he strongly felt that his life was being led away from Nashville and to something familiar but in some ways, entirely different. Not ruling out more Glorious Unseen tunes in the future, Crist is noticeably excited about his life at the moment and spoke with Hopecore to fill his fans in on what is yet to come.

For those who are wondering what the current status of The Glorious Unseen and yourself are, can you fill us in? What lead to you ending it?

Ben Crist: In spring / summer of 2010, I began to sense that the first “season” for The Glorious Unseen as a traveling / touring band, was coming to an end. We had toured for about three years, and two full length albums had been released. We were privileged to travel all over the US and Canada, met a bunch of awesome people, had a bunch of awesome experiences! It was an absolutely incredible time. Definitely had so many valuable experiences and memories, I have no regrets!!

In the midst of all of these awesome experiences, I began to sense that God was moving me in another direction. I had sort of lost the “fire” of passion for Jesus. In the midst of pursuing the “ministry” of the band, I had lost sight of the number one calling – to Love God first and seek after Him first. Those of you who are reading this who are involved in ministry, may understand what I’m saying here. When your “ministry” gains momentum, it’s easy to go after anything that can grow your ministry, and lose sight of intimate communion with God.

I began to realize that I needed some deeper training in the Bible, and that I needed to step back from doing the band for a while. Of course, most bands these days depend highly on “momentum”, so to step away from it, or to take a hiatus, is pretty much the same as quitting altogether, because you lose much of the momentum you may have built. I was fully aware of this, and to add to that, God was actually calling me away from Nashville, and away from everything and everyone who had helped build the band. So, essentially – I ended the band. I didn’t really “keep my options open” in any way. I cancelled several events that we had booked. I sold the van, trailer, and a bunch of gear. I moved away from the city where the rest of the existing band was, and away from all the music business stuff of Nashville. I knew that I had to follow what God was saying for me without trying to “keep my options open”. This way, if and when there is new music, it will happen completely under God’s leadership, and there’s no possibility for me to do it under my own strength!

Is it too early to miss it yet?

BC: Well, that depends on who you’re asking I guess. I know there are people who miss it, because there are plenty of comments and such on the Facebook page asking about new music and such. If you are asking me, I do not miss the touring and playing shows much at all. I miss some of the events sometimes, and miss seeing friends from all over the country. But I’m into something that’s WAY better for me than any of that right now. So, I’m actually so glad I’m not driving all over the country every weekend. Actually, most times lately that I have seen friends bands come through KC, I’m so happy that I don’t have to get in the van and drive all night! Now, if you’re asking do I miss creating / writing the music, I don’t miss that either, because I’m still doing that! (Laughs). So, I still get to create and write music, but not travel and play the shows and such right now.

What do you feel the Lord showed you in your time with TGU? Whether that be good or bad…

BC: Basically, He was giving me a “taste” of what’s to come. To this day, I’m still wondering how we got on some of the stages we were asked to play. We didn’t sell a whole lot of records, and we weren’t really that exciting to watch live, and yet we got asked to play some HUGE events. We had so much favor from God during that entire time. So, that initial season was a time to grow in experiences. Actually, I believe God wanted to give me a “taste” of success, so that when I experience it again, I won’t be swayed by it. Does that make sense? Like, it’s easy for a young person who hasn’t experienced much, to be easily influenced by success in man’s eyes. So, God has to put a “limit” on the amount of success that can be given. Then, as you grow in Godly wisdom, he can bring more success, and you’ll actually be able to properly handle it.

My first encounter with you and TGU was a few years back on The Wake Tour where I saw people physically healed for the first time in my life. What does healing mean to you and your various ministry involvements?

BC: I believe God can heal, and that He wants to heal even today. It was not just something to read about in the Bible. He’s every bit as able to heal today. Our job is to just keep asking. We don’t need to get discouraged when we pray for someone and we don’t see it happen immediately, we keep asking. He knows our needs, and He’s faithful to respond. Sometimes it’s not the way we think it should be, or it doesn’t happen in the timing that we think it should, but we need to trust the Lord’s leadership.

Tell us about your time at The International House Of Prayer… What has it taught you about yourself and your faith and what drew you to it?

BC: I was initially drawn here because I had downloaded a bunch of sermons from Mike Bickle, who’s the head of IHOP-KC. The way he preached and the way he explained the bible spoke directly to me. Of course, I also liked the idea of 24-7 prayer and worship, I thought that sounded like an awesome idea. I was looking for a place to get away from all of my comforts, from all the things that I was used to running to. On top of that,they had an internship program that fit perfectly into my schedule last fall, so I knew I was supposed to come here.

I am learning what it means to be completely abandoned to God. I have no other “lifeline” at this point, besides Him. I am learning what it means to walk away from a “career” and everything to follow Him. This is very similar to what the disciples did in the new testament. Jesus came along and they immediately dropped everything to follow Him. It’s an exhilarating feeling when you know everything is in His hands. Of course, it’s sometimes scary, but then it’s so exciting when you see Him actively at work in your circumstances!!

How long do you plan on being there?

BC: I am here indefinitely. I do not know when God will move me again. Could be 2 years, could be 10, I have no idea! I’m pretty sure that this is gonna be at least another couple years. I am currently studying at International House of Prayer University (IHOPU). If I want, I can do 3 more years in the school. Who knows what God’s timing is looking like. The most important thing for me is to just follow Him whenever he says to “go”, and stay when he says “stay”!

During this recharging time, are you writing at all? Would you completely rule out TGU making another record?

BC: Yes, I am writing! And yes, I am thinking that there will be another record in late 2012! I’m thinking it will still be called The Glorious Unseen, although readers need to understand that this is not the same “band”. These are still my songs, as TGU always was, but will not have the same members in it. The next record will be songs that I have written here at IHOP, and I’ll have musicians from IHOP play on the album. I’m not sure what touring will look like, although there will most likely be some of that as well. Obviously, since I’m speaking of things that are more than a year out, I can’t be completely sure about the details, but that is what I am thinking at this point.

It’s no secret that you went through a divorce over the past few years. What has that experience showed you about your personal faith as well as God’s grace and love your life?

BC: I prefer not to talk about the details of the divorce a whole lot in public interviews right now, but I will say that it has given me an “opportunity” to trust God in a deeper way. I will say that for all “crisis” that happen in peoples lives. When a crisis comes, we have an opportunity to either let God draw us to Himself, or we can be “offended” and push away from Him. Many people get offended at God whenever something like this happens in their lives. It’s easy to say “Well, how could God let that happen if He loves me?” If we can learn to run to God with more abandon, we position ourselves to receive a much deeper revelation of His love. It’s so good…

Is there anything else that is on your heart that you would like to share with readers?

BC: I want to encourage people to pray-read the Bible. Pick a certain passage, such as Psalm 23. Read the phrases slowly, and meditate upon each one. Picture it in your mind, what does it mean “The Lord is my shepherd”? Picture him leading you in different circumstances in your life. Picture him supplying your needs. Pray it back to him, “Lord, be my protector, my provider.” Then, thank Him for being your protector and provider. This is how I believe you will see the Bible come alive to you, cause you’ll begin to experience God speaking to you through it.

If anyone wants to ask any other questions, or just to keep in touch, message me on Facebook!