Compelled

A testimony in song and praise

By Dom Ruggiero

After spending about an hour with them for this interview the things that struck me the most were their commitment to their families, to God and their ministry.

The American Heritage dictionary defines compelled as “to force or drive to a course of action, to secure or bring about by force, to overpower, to drive together; to unite by force; to herd.”

After talking to COMPELLED (Matt Russell, Rob Baumiester, Nate Sara and Mike Bruckler), a local band from South Jersey and watching them perform it is evident that the name of their band is not just a name but a feeling and a belief. They have a passion for the Lord and they will tell you that. The Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, “compels’ them to minister through song.

While watching their performances you will see that this group of young men are not a garage band, or a group of kids with instruments making noise………..they are for real! The lyrics are poetic and relate to the everyday struggles and triumphs of being a Christian. The music is powerful yet not overbearing (no heavy metal here!). When you watch Matt sing, Rob play guitar, Mike play drums and Nate play bass you can feel the Holy Spirit being funneled through their voices as they sing and their hands as they play. Their music is their testimony.

Matt wants everyone to know that their songs are about life. They relate to any Christian and the daily struggle to stay focused on the Lord. Real life struggles are at the heart of the lyrics. They like to look at it as “testimony in song and praise.” Musically they like to let the words flow and be the dominant part of the song. Rob points out that the music is just the compliment to the words.

For them it all started about six years ago when Matt was a youth pastor at New Life Fellowship Church in Glassboro. It was about that time that he met Rob and they began playing at New Life as part of the youth ministry. The pastor liked what he heard and asked them to lead worship on Sundays. Nate came along a little over two years ago as a band member but has been friends with Matt for 12-plus years since they met at a youth group. Mike came along last year as the drummer through an ad on Craigslist. Matt is the lyricist and Rob writes the music but like any band there is collaboration between them all to produce a good song.

After spending about an hour with them for this interview the things that struck me the most were their commitment to their families, to God and their ministry. They are a well grounded group of young men and have their priorities in order according to the Word. They all have had much support from their parents growing up who kept them involved in youth groups, church and bible study.

We all know how important a strong family background and support structure can be in the life of all youth. Right now for the members of Compelled it is family, work and ministry. There is not much time for anything else, especially for Matt, who is 29 and married. He concentrates mainly on his family, his job and the band. Rob, who is 26, aside from being a musician and a family man who married his high school sweetheart, likes to fix and even build guitars. Mike, who is 20 and single, enjoys riding his Harley when he is not playing or working. Nate, who is 24 and like Matt and Rob married, loves to read. He recommends anything by Christian authors Donald Miller or Gordon Atkinson.

The great thing about these young men are that they are focused on their mission. When asked what they would like to see in their future they didn`t respond with what you would think or what most musicians are seeking……….fame and fortune. Instead they treat it as a ministry. Lots of prayer and waiting on the Lord.

In their eyes, the Lord is the PR man, the agent and manager. Matt feels their commitment to waiting on the Lord is the reason they are being blessed. God has opened many doors for them this year so far. In their humility they make it clear that whatever God wants they are willing to do. If it’s staying where they are and playing around different churches or coffeehouses or garages then so be it! They can accept that.

However, if opportunity knocked in the form of a recording contract or a tour with a well known band or performer they would surely love it. Something tells me though that they would pray it out and look for the Lord to let them know if that was the road to take. Fame and fortune will not tempt them. They are truly grounded in the Lord. So to say they are compelled by the Lord is an understatement. These guys are focused and committed to honoring the Lord not only in song but in how they live their lives. So as you say your daily prayers, make sure to include these young men and their families.

You can see Compelled for yourself at Hope Christian Fellowship in Woodbury, 246 King St. on Saturday Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. They are having a Winter BBQ followed by a free concert featuring Compelled and Saved by Grace. Be sure to go check them out. I know you will feel blessed and will get to hear a local band with a great testimony.

Visit Compelled at www.compelledband.com, fan them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.