God's Rock and Roll Army - by Leslie Turner (Paperback)

About the Book

""I will never forget that day!" The true story of a radical experiment in evangelism as told by those who lived it. What did you do with your ticket? Between 1968 and 1991, over 10 million teenage students across the United States and Canada had a shared experience: one day they were called from class to their gymnasium, where they cheered their way through a rock and roll show the likes of which most had never seen. Students saw young men with rock star personas, iconic clothes, and wild hair, whose musical talent was only exceeded by their extreme showmanship. In fact, you may still have a Free Fare or Freedom Jam poster rolled up in your closet. Thousands of students each month came back for an evening show, and it was there, in the final few minutes of the night, that the illusion of "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" so prevalent in that era was broken. Then, as hard-core rockers testified about their life in Jesus, roughly a million young lives across 23 years were changed. Along the way, something else happened. Every year, dozens of young people joined in this radical experiment in evangelism. Within each one of them, a transformation occurred, and an indelible bond formed. This is the story of God's Rock and Roll Army, the jaw-dropping and miraculous events they experienced, and the lessons they learned. From their accounts, you will find the key to building strong faith leaders, and you may find the courage for your own radical experiment in evangelism"--

Book Synopsis

"I will never forget that day!" The true story of a radical experiment in evangelism by those who lived it.

Between 1968 and 1991, over 10 million teenage students across the United States and Canada had a shared experience: one day they were called from class to their gymnasium, where they screamed their way through a rock and roll show the likes of which most had never seen. Students saw young men with rock star personas, iconic clothes, and wild hair, whose musical talent was only exceeded by their extreme showmanship. In fact, you may still have a Free Fare, The Edge, or Freedom Jam poster rolled up in your closet.

Thousands of students each month came back for an evening show, and it was there, in the final few minutes of the night, that the illusion of "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" so prevalent in that era was broken. Then, as hard-core rockers testified about their life in Jesus, roughly a million young lives across 23 years were changed.

Along the way, something else happened. Every year, dozens of young people joined in this radical experiment in evangelism. Within each one of them, a transformation occurred, and an indelible bond formed. This is the story of God's Rock and Roll Army, the jaw-dropping and miraculous events they experienced, and the lessons they learned.

From their accounts, you will find the key to building strong faith leaders, and you may find the courage for your own radical experiment in evangelism.

What did you do with your ticket?

Review Quotes

"Amazing company and impact on youth of America! This story reveals the details of an extremely unique company formed by a man with a heart for redirecting the terrible impact of the counterculture revolution of the sixties. The drugs and unbridled lifestyle that was set in place needed a lifeline to give hope to the youth of the seventies and eighties. This is that story! SO MANY school students witnessed the power of this program and it's not hard to find a person who can remember seeing it from their own school days. This is not an 'outside' view but a story told by those who were fortunate to have worked on the inside and uncovers the astounding details of an entertainment program armed with a life changing plan that truly offered hope to a generation plagued with a bad road map. It is truly amazing that this company existed and successfully delivered for so many years." Rodd Wilson

"Couldn't put it down! This is a great book! What a fascinating story about one man's vision to change the hearts and minds of young people away from the drugs and sex culture of the day by showing them that you could be "cool" as a believer in Jesus and not have to live in a square box.

The compilation of stories written by actual people who lived it......performers, the staff, and students who's lives were changed forever; is well put together and interwoven with interesting editorials. This is a must read!" Tom Miller

"If you went to middle or high school from 1970 to 1990, they probably played at your school. This book is written from the perspective of the people who lived it. Many of the authors never met each other but tell remarkably similar stories and the indelible imprint the experience had on their lives. It started with one man's vision to reach teens with a positive message and grew into something he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams." Mindi Abair

"Fantastic personal accounts of rock musicians on a mission...This book tells the story of a company - one of rock musicians - told in their own words and deftly woven into a narrative by the editors. It's a no-holds-barred account of life on the road, the highs and lows, of some of the most talented young U.S. rock musician/entertainers of their era - working their tails off for a higher goal than just entertainment. I was one of early ones in the experimental stages of YAS, but didn't know the half of this story. Simply a great read." Joe Brown

"The unforeseen making of a legacy for God. I'm feeling the joy as I'm reading this book. It is inspiring and uplifting and amazing how Lowell had a vision for spreading the word, how he duplicated himself in the musicians he trained, how all the musicians aka rock stars took the message out to middle schools and high schools in the 60's-80's, and into their lives once they left Young American Showcase." Diane M.

"Amazing story, edifying book...I can't imagine it being written better. It's a good read. Impactful, humorous, and historical. I loved it." Lance Abair