“FOR JULIAN DRIVE, LIFE ON THE ROAD LACKS THE GLAMOUR AND GLITZ THAT PEOPLE MIGHT ASSOCIATE WITH A CHRISTIAN BAND. THEY WORK VERY HARD. THIS IS NOT SHOW BUSINESS, AND THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A JOB. FOR THESE MEN THIS IS A CALLING AND A MINISTRY.”

week before the band arrived in Haiti. The man’s daughter, who lives in Atlanta, was trying desperately to get him out of Haiti. This woman attended church with some- one associated with Holt International. She knew someone who contacted some- one else, who knew another person who knew Georgia’s governor, Sonny Perdue. He in turn knew someone who might be able to help. The governor made a call. In just a few hours a private jet loaded with supplies for the earthquake victims left Atlanta headed for Port-au-Prince. The guys of Julian Drive spent a long, surreal night at the confusing airport. At sunrise things began to move quickly. By about 6:30 Friday morning, the guys found themselves sitting on a private jet taxiing down the runway along with the Hai- tian father and the members of the Holt International team. Shortly before noon, I received a one-word text message— “America.” The impossible had happened. Not only had the guys gotten out safely,

but the man who had sent his private jet was none other than media entrepreneur Ted Turner! When the guys landed in Atlanta, the first thing they did was make a run for the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts for a cup of coffee. They then cleaned up, rested a bit, and hit the road again, miss- ing only one concert date.

Julian Drive has now begun work on their fourth album. They’ve had several radio singles that have done very well. They have shared the stage with a who’s who of musicians and speakers, and are favorites at Church of God events across the country. These are four talented young men who love God, love their fam- ilies, and love doing what they do. If you spend any time with Julian Drive you will hear an earful of “yes sir,” “yes ma’am,” “please,” and “thank you.” You will hear lots of laughter. And you will hear great music. Many people ask how they got their name. Well, I will tell you—on second thought I won’t, except this: They

are named after a street, but it’s not the “Julian Drive” in Cleveland, Tennessee. When I lay my head down at night, I often wonder where the young men of Julian Drive might be at that moment. I usually whisper a prayer for them, know- ing that most nights they are driving a dark highway somewhere heading toward another waiting crowd who will have little idea about the sacrifices they make in order to play their God-honoring music. Some nights I can almost hear the hum of tires and smell truck-stop coffee as I envision the faces of four dedicated young men. I pray that God will keep them safe and continue to bless the ministry of Julian Drive.

David Nitz is evangelism

director of the Church of God in North Florida. Both of his sons sing with a traveling group— James with Julian Drive, and

Phillip with Voices of Lee.

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