J812

The J8:12 Band: Vocals: Jessy Lawell Laurie Nelson Steve Malchow Spencer Nelson Keys & Effects: Dana Malchow Guitars: Steve Malchow Spencer Nelson Bass: Jared Hoffman Drums & Effects: Sawyer Heiman Additional Keys: Michael Lashua

The J8:12 Story (From the "Luminate" liner notes) It all started at a prayer meeting at Spencer and Laurie's home in Lake Mills, WI on Sunday April 1st, 2002. We had gathered to pray, talk, and to listen to God. The Malchows, HArtes, the Lawells, the Dandoys and some others were there with us. A lot of things were going on in our hearts and many of us were heavy with some decisions. I put in the Delirious "Live and in the Can" CD to get us started. As the first song played, we sensed God's speaking to our hearts. He was leading us and moving our hearts to solidify our passions. Almost prophetically the first ttrack shouted out to our hearts..."walk with this vision...run with it..dont' give up...NOW is the time...now is the time". We sensed that the time was right to form a band. Not just any band, but one with a purpose to taking modern worship music to others who were hungry to experience God. We were willing to go outside the 4 walls of the church if necessary... ...now back to our humble little meeting on the porch. As part 8 was playing..they (Delirious) were singing "there is a light that shines in the darkness...His name is Jesus...His name is Jesus, the light of the world". As Martin Smith continued to sing, he shared from the Bible in Matthew 5:14-16. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the hous. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." It all came together right after we heard those verses. We were to be a light and we were to shine in the darkness. We were to take our music to dark places and to let God use us to break through to cold hearts in churches where the light had gone out. We were to plant seeds in the ground that only the Holy Spirit could break up. Then...after the rain of God's spirit...they woudl germinate in the hearts of people and cause them to be true worshipers...followers of Jesus Christ (John 4:23-24). It was based on this that Dave HArte suggested that we call ourselves J8:12. HE read the verses out ofJohn 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." And so we all agreed on that name and made the decision to move forward as a band ministry. We launced that day...and the excitement and freedom tht followed was overwhelming...and now you know the rest of the story.

Yes, we play live...for free. Mainly south central Wisconsin but we have played all over the state. We love to play live; even if we touch just one person during our shows, then it's worth it.