SEATTLE, Wash. (WordNews.org) June 25, 2012 – Megachurch Mars Hill Church is launching a record label, Mars Hill Music.
The label will feature musicians and worship leaders who serve at the church’s 14 locations. Mars Hill described the label as being “defined by Christ and culture and corporate worship.”
The label isn’t looking to enter the Christian music scene quietly.
“Head’s up: we’re starting a record label, and we’re gunning to take over Christian radio,” the church said on its website.
Leading the label is Deacon Jonathan Dunn. [Click here for Dunn’s, interview with Mars Hill Pastor Mark].
“What makes our bands and music distinct is that it is a natural expression and outgrowth of what God is doing in our cities through our musicians,” Dunn said. “Our records are a means to capture and share what is happening at our churches. That makes them unique and different, the same way our cities and communities are unique and different.”
Dunn is a founding member of the heavy metal band Demon Hunter. He spent a decade at Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records, and was the director of A&R when he felt God calling him to Mars Hill, something Dunn describes as “one of the top three things ever called to in my life.”
Dunn said it is important for the music to be a mix of creativity and sound doctrine.
“We believe God desires our churches to be creative,” he said,“but not to sacrifice the truth of the gospel or theology for the sake of art.  We make a conscious effort to include the theologically-rich music of traditional hymns, mixed with original songs unique to each church body, both lyrically and musically.”
Mars Hill Churches are established throughout the west, including eleven churches in the greater Puget Sound region, as well as in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Portland, Oregon and in Orange County, California.
“Bottom line, whatever you think has defined ‘Christian music’ up til now, you can forget it,” Mars Hill boasts on its website.
“We don’t limit our bands to the Christian cul-de-sac of U2 circa 1987,” said Dunn.
The Mars Hill website editor added a note that Dunn’s comments were “said with all due respect to Joshua Tree and U2, who have a solid contingent of fans at the church.]”
Mars Hill Music’s latest EP, Already/Not Yet from the band CITIZENS reached No. 3 in the Christian category on iTunes when it debuted, and reached No. 1 on BandCamp.com. Other artists EPs available for download at MarsHill.com/music are:
• Kings’s Kaleidoscope
• Ghost Ship
• Kenosis
• The Sing Team