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10 Questions with ... Shawn Craig
October 27, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Discography:
- 1992 Phillips Craig & Dean
- 1994 Lifeline
- 1995 Trust
- 1996 Repeat The Sounding Joy
- 1997 Where Strength Begins
- 1998 Favorite Songs Of All
- 1999 Restoration
- 2001 Let My Words Be Few
- 2003 Let Your Glory Fall
- 2004 Let The Worshipers Arise
- 2005 The Worship Collection
- 2006 The Ultimate Collection
- 2006 Top Of My Lungs
- 2007 Greatest Hits
- 2009 Fearless
- 2010 Hope For All The World - EP
- 2011 My Phillips Craig & Dean Playlist
- 2012 Breathe In
- 2013 Hope For All The World
1. Brief history / synopsis.
I was born in Indiana, but I moved a lot as a child because my parents were lay leaders in church. Most of my youth was spent in NW Louisiana, a small rural town, before moving to St. Louis, MO in the 80's. I finished my Bachelor of Arts Degree in music at Webster University and completed my graduate work at Fuller Seminary, Kings Seminary and Oral Roberts University.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
Pastoring is a 24/7 kind of work, but Monday - Thursday is spent mostly in the church office as lead pastor at Crosspoint Church in St. Louis, Mo. I spend probably 20 or more hours of study on the weekend sermon and also teach some midweek.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
One Republic "Love Runs Out." It's not so innovative as a melody, but the combo of the driving bass and rhythm make the track fiery so it's hard to forget.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
We travel about 30+ days a year, but there's always a tension to balance pastoring and touring with Phillips, Craig and Dean. I don't always do it well, but it keeps me in touch with what other Christian men go through in trying to balance work, parenting, sports, church and recreation. My life isn't so different in that respect.
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional?
When I realized in 2006 that God had prepared me to be the lead pastor of this church. I always said, 'I never want to be a lead pastor.' God changed my heart gradually until I saw that God had given me a shepherd's heart for people and that if He called me, He would enable me. It's a constant battle to trust and I often say to Him, 'God was this your idea? If so, help me do this!"
6. What's the last book you read?
I just read "If God, Then What?" by Andrew Wilson. He's an up and coming theologian in the U.K., a young and gifted pastor and apologist. I found it easier to read than some apologetic material and it speaks to some of the questions seekers ask these days.
7. How & when did you became a believer. What caused you to want to serve God in full time ministry?
I'm a child of the faith. I grew up in a home where Jesus was a part of most conversations. I was baptized when I was 9 years old and I've felt like I was set apart for God's purposes since I was a teenager. I've been surprised by how it's all turned out but I'm doing many things God placed in my heart back in high school.
8. What's new from the studio for Phillips Craig & Dean?
"Above It All" is our latest project that releases November 10th. Several of the songs emphasize the sovereignty of God, and although we've just started singing some it live I'm loving it.
9. What organization/service group are you affiliated with?
My wife and I sponsor several children with World Vision. I got involved early on with them and just stayed with it. We also support a wonderful organization in Brazil called HOPE UNLIMITED (hopeunlimited.org). I first heard about them through Focus on the Family, and then led a team from our church to Campinas, Brazil. They have a ranch where they rescue children from the streets and teach them life skills, along with the gospel, of course. It's incredible the difference they are making.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead.....Deities are excused from this question.
Solomon. He is credited with some of the greatest wisdom ever written, yet he failed big time. Maybe now, his wisdom is perfected and he could have even more to say!
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