Finding Faith Through Rock and Roll
Danny Martinez had always been drawn to the raw power of rock, but the Beatles and Led Zeppelin albums on his parents’ shelf felt hollow after a Tuesday night in March 1983, when he walked down the aisle at Calvary Chapel during a youth revival. At fifteen, the world suddenly seemed brighter—he was hungry for something deeper than rebellion.
That hunger deepened when his youth pastor, Mike, handed him a cassette: Larry Norman’s Only Visiting This Planet. Danny pressed play that night, and Norman's gritty voice asked, “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?” It rocked like the secular stuff he loved, but now with truth. He listened three times, flashlight in hand, scribbling lyrics into a notebook.
Mike took him to a Christian bookstore that weekend, and in a dusty corner, Danny discovered bins of Christian rock. He bought Resurrection Band’s Awaiting Your Reply with lawn-mowing money—hooked by its apocalyptic art and hard-hitting vocals.
Second Chapter of Acts became his devotional companion. Annie Herring’s voice on “Easter Song” moved him to tears; “Which Way the Wind Blows” lifted his prayers heavenward during long Walkman walks. Randy Stonehill brought joy—Danny jammed to “Born Twice” in front of the mirror, dreaming of stage lights and gospel anthems. At concerts, faith felt thrilling, even dangerous.
Russ Taff’s vocals lit his soul. Whether singing with the Imperials or solo, songs like “Praise the Lord” made Danny raise his hands in worship alone in his room. “We Will Stand” was his anthem at school when teased for ditching Black Sabbath for Jesus music.
His room filled with posters from Petra, Stryper, and Daniel Amos. His friends didn’t get it, but he didn’t care. This music fed his spirit. Sunday mornings were for sermons; afternoons were for turning up the stereo and diving deep. Phil Keaggy’s guitar, Kerry Livgren’s prog rock, and Bloodgood’s metal made even skeptics listen.
Christian rock became more than music—it was discipleship. Through Randy Matthews, Danny saw faith included doubt. Rez Band opened his eyes to justice. Second Chapter of Acts taught him to worship with his whole heart.
By senior year, he had boxes of tapes, lyrics turned into prayers, and a faith shaped by music. When he packed for college in ’86, he brought his stereo, records, and that treasured lyric journal. As he loaded the car, Mike handed him one last tape—U2’s The Unforgettable Fire. Danny grinned, knowing this journey was far from over.
Track List:
1. Constantly Changing - Jerusalem
2. Colors - Resurrection Band
3. Run from the Darkness - Daniel Band
4. How Can You Live - Kerry Livgren
5. Without Him, We Can Do Nothing - Petra
6. The Rock That Doesn't Roll - Larry Norman
7. Which Way the Wind Blows - Second Chapter of Acts
8. The Warrior - Mylon Lefevre
9. Broken Heart - Livin' on the Edge of Dyin'
10. Unchained - White Heart
11. Water Grave - Servant
12. Hide Them in Your Love - Randy Stonehill
13. Shadows - Rez Band
14. Invisible Man - Prodigal
15. How Can You Love? - Seventy Sevens
16. Heart of Hearts - Leslie Phillips
17. I Still Believe - Russ Taff
18. Believe - Newsboys
19. To Forgive - Steve Taylor
20. I Love You - Number Nineteen
21. Another Day in Limbo - Mark Heard
22. Watch What You're Doing - Larry Norman
23. Gotta Serve Somebody - Bob Dylan
24. Look in the Sky - Glass Harp
25. Say It Like It Is - Malcolm and Alwyn
26. Stand Up - Petra
27. Liquid - Jars of Clay
28. The Cave - Needtobreathe
29. Always There for You - Stryper
30. You're All I Need - Daniel Band
31. Lies - Keith Green
32. The Rock Was Rolled Away - Rick Kua
33. Surrender - Allies
34. Jericho - Degarmo and Key
35. It's Alright - Matthew Ward
36. Which Side Are You On? - Randy Matthews
37. Invincible Love - Mylon Lefevre
38. Carpenter Gone Bad - Bob Bennett
39. Victims of the Age - Mark Heard
40. The Trouble with Normal - Bruce Cockburn
41. Love in the Western World - Steve Scott
42. Too Late - Amy Grant
43. Reader's Digest - Larry Norman
44. Paint a Picture - Rez Band
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Bryan Race
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