True Worship
by Kelly Sheads

Connersvine L to R: Hunter Smith and Chris Wilson

In biblical times the Israelites worshipped God and sought forgiveness for their sins by bringing sacrifices and offerings to the temple. Because they were unclean, the Israelites relied on priests set apart by God to offer those sacrifices on their behalf. This was the closest they ever came to being in His presence. Years later, Jesus gave His life as a perfect sacrifice, atoning for every sin mankind had ever committed – past, present and future. Since then people have been free to worship God wherever, whenever and however they please. If God has given this amazing gift – to constantly be in His presence – then why would we choose to worship Him only on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings? Shouldn’t it be our desire to worship Him every day of our life?

Connersvine —  Chris Wilson and Hunter Smith (Indianapolis Colts punter) — is a new worship duo that has made it their mission to live lives of worship. Not only are they intent on leading God’s people closer to the throne room in song, but as Light & Life magazine found during an exclusive interview, they strive to promote an atmosphere of honest and open worship in everything they do. “I know in myself that when it’s time to go to church or to talk to other believers, I have to put on this face that everything’s always good; and that’s not reality,” says Wilson. “That’s not biblical.” By being open about their own struggles and the fact that sometimes life is difficult, Wilson and Smith hope to encourage others to do the same, leading to a more honest worship experience.

Smith believes that by sharing our struggles and building relationships with others, we can overcome life’s difficulties. In an interview with a local television station, he openly discussed his own battle with depression, hoping to bring comfort to those who may be dealing with similar situations. God gave him the grace, he says, “to be transparent about something I’ve struggled with most of my adult life, or all of it. When you are transparent about those things, it’s kind of an infectious thing. People feel the freedom to do it as well … That was an individual effort on my part, but it was also something that I believe God is going to use Connersvine to touch on in the future.”

Beyond honesty about their individual struggles, Wilson and Smith have the desire to move people toward a more honest and intimate relationship with God. One way Connersvine does this is by sharing songs containing lessons they’ve learned. “We just want to be transparent and share those things as God teaches them to us,” explains Wilson. “We’re absolutely called into ministry. We’re not called into entertainment. So, with that, our prayer is that every song God gives us, with every thing He’s doing in us, we can just turn around and minister those things as well.”

Another way Connersvine strives to bring people closer to God is by engaging them in true worship. “I want people to hear God through our music and be able to talk to God through our music,” Smith explains. “I want them to leave having corresponded with God, dialogued with God, worshipped God, but also having heard Him speak His feelings over them as well.”

When Connersvine leads worship, they’re not only asking people to sing songs and listen to lyrics. They’re asking people to open up their hearts and allow God to stir in them the desire to be living sacrifices – to live lives wholly devoted to worshipping Him. And like Connersvine, there are other worship leaders and bands out there, diligently leading the body of Christ in praise – a responsibility that should be taken very seriously. More importantly, it is our job to carry that attitude of worship into our daily lives and hold onto it with both hands.

Chris Wilson and Hunter Smith of Connersvine know what it means to live lives of worship. Not only are they determined to be transparent and honest, but they encourage others to do the same. By allowing God to use their lives as instruments of ministry, these gifted musicians exemplify true worship. (After all, singing a few songs in church every week isn’t truly worship, unless it’s lived.)

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).

If you’d like to learn more about Connersvine, when they may be coming to a city near you, or to purchase their debut CD, visit www.connersvine.com.

*Special thanks to Wilson and Smith for making time in their busy schedules to share their hearts and remind us of the essence of true worship.

To read more of Light & Life magazine’s December 2007 interview with Connersvine, click on the questions below.

Give a brief history of Connersvine.

Is this something that both of you had always wanted to do, or did it just happen?

Has having a well-recognized pro-athlete in your duo helped or hindered?

Hunter, you talked about your struggle with depression during a television interview not too long ago. How has being open with that affected your ministry?

How have your fellow teammates (Indianapolis Colts) responded to you being in a band?

Is there a certain thing you guys hope to accomplish with your music?

Do you both write the songs?

What led you to write your first single, “Live For You”?

Now that you’re in the Christian music industry, have you gotten to meet many other artists and if so, how has that been?

Have you made any new friends or connected with anyone specifically?

Has this journey been what you expected?

Have you seen God preparing you for this throughout your lives?

So, you’re going on the Winter Jam Tour…