However, some contemporary Christian music fans might suspect such bands of being less devoted to their faith compared to their more blatant Christian-label counterparts, like Third Day.
Haseltine would rather Jars of Clay be known as a rock ‘n’ roll band that happens to be made up of believers, along the same vein as bands like Relient K and P.O.D., whose lyrics aren’t overtly biblical. Jars has struggled with being labeled “Christian” ever since word got out about its members’ beliefs following the 1995 success of the song “Flood” on mainstream radio. He said the Psalms and Ecclesiastes are rich mines for that message, along with Job, which he admits to enjoying reading, thanks to his melancholy bent. Human suffering and the proper context in which to view it is a familiar theme in his personal Bible studies. Some Blood:Water Mission board members are from the Cleveland area, he said. Jars started its own charitable nonprofit organization in 2002, which promotes clean blood and water supplies in Africa by building new wells, supporting medical facilities and attempting to transform communities one relationship at a time. Haseltine and the band already have taken on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. The social activist is particularly pleased that the tour will benefit local affiliates of Habitat for Humanity, which builds or rehabilitates homes for the poor.
It’s exciting to see them come together,” he said, hinting that the tour might prove a catalyst for an album collaboration. “The commonality is we have come at our music from a Christian world view. Jars did a Christmas tour with Switchfoot last year. Haseltine likes the idea of introducing his fans to the music of the other bands on the tour. For me, getting into music was a sort of organic process … so I’d like it to be the same for them.” He was taking time out from rehearsing for the “Music Builds” tour with fellow faith-based rock bands Third Day and Switchfoot, among others. They’re going to be around it hopefully all of their lives. “I haven’t really pushed them to music yet.
“They both love the drums,” he said of his two sons. His soon-to-be 5-year-old was making a joyful noise. That’s what life can be like when he’s home with the kids, in Nashville. He apologetically promised to call back within minutes. When Jars of Clay front man Dan Haseltine got on the phone for a recent interview, he abruptly cut it short because of a loud banging in the background.
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