Forrest Frank Normalizes Going on Our Knees (and other radical concert moments)
Back in April, my son Brayden and I went to the Forrest Frank concert. If you don’t know Brayden, he loves music. No wait… he LOVES music. All kinds. All genres. He truly appreciates all art forms of musical expression. It’s one of the things I love about him.
Now, I didn’t really know much about Forrest’s music before we went. The week before, I had popped it on so I could be familiar with the tunes, but let’s just say that I hadn’t been in a music phase of my life for a number of years. It’s not that I was averse to this music. It’s more that I didn’t really think much about ANY music.
When we arrived for the concert at the Moda Center, I thought it was impressive to see such a diverse age range of people there, especially the number of those who were my son’s age or younger. In the world of Christian music and Christianity in general, this was something I paid attention to. Who’s grabbing the attention of the next generations?
Brayden and I waiting to go into the Moda Center to see Forrest Frank, April 2025
Right from the start, the concert was fun, with good energy and, of course, great music. But what stood out to me were a few other notes that made my inner charismatic spirit hopeful for the next generation because this man was leading in a way that was aware of the mantle he carried.
No More Gatekeeping
No more gatekeeping the process. Forrest shared his story of how he got into music. He was transparent about the work that it took to get him to where he is.
Ok. Not so original. But then…
He opened his laptop, cast it up onto the screen to show his song creation process in the Logic app for the whole audience to see. He showed the process. He showed that the systems, the technology, the “doing the thing” isn’t so hard. He sent a message to all those who look up to him in that audience (and audiences around the country) that, if God gives you a mission, yes, it is going to take hard work and discipline, but the system doesn’t have to be complicated.
IMHO: The ministry leaders of the last few decades have done a whole lot of gatekeeping and a large part of why we are finding ourselves in a leadership deficit today in the church. What do you have that God has given to you that you can unlock for someone else? That is called discipleship.
Forrest Frank, Moda Center, Portland, OR
Authentically Unpolished
We are talking the right amount of unpolished. I mean, the thing is, we still have to do the thing with excellence, right? But there’s a point when the work will not be good enough according to our perfectionist eyes but it’s still time to put it out there.
So how did Forrest do that?
When he came on stage, he was clear that it was only for God.
He prayed over the concert and spoke directly to the spiritual forces that exist. He commanded the enemy to flee and the angels to go to war if necessary.
He prayed for the city. He prayed for the restoration of the family.
He was real and tangible in each prayer. His prayers were those of a man pleading with God, not polished prayers that have been recited from city to city.
On His Knees
Forrest Frank setting an example of worship
He was on his knees. Literally. For like a long time. One could argue it was performative. But nah… this posture led hundreds of us deep into the presence of the Lord.
He then went on to share his testimony ON HIS KNEES. He didn’t get up and run around the stage with the high concert energy that we could expect for a good show. He stayed on his knees, testifying to the glory of how God’s love entered into his life and when he relinquished himself.
The Audience
He brought up the audience. Not once but twice. The first one was a teenage boy who he gave the mic to. The kid nailed it!
The second was a boy and his mom. They sat on the stage “lawn” and just enjoyed being lifted up by the main guy. What a cool experience for that boy (& mom)!
Towards the end of the concert, he was in the audience, dancing with them, singing with them, all the things. Anyone watching could tell that Forrest was in his element, like he was hanging with his best friends rockin out.
The last song. We are reveling in the experience!
As I reflect back on that concert, I think about the hope I left with for the future of the church in our country. With people like Forrest leading the way, I trust that good, godly men and women are rising up to lead. The fake, polished perfection that many of us have grown accustomed to is losing its appeal. The authenticity of the Gospel is taking front seat and I’m here for it.
If you’ve read through this and you have no clue who Forrest Frank is, then you must follow his music and his Instagram. He’s got a crazy-God story of breaking his back and God healing him in 2 weeks. You can find that story on his Insta too.
I find myself listening to more music these days. Most of it Christian, but I don’t mind a mix. I have been building my playlists with my favorite throwbacks from when music was more a part of my days (think 90s Christian, 2000s worship, and some Oldies thrown in for good measure). I catch some playlists here and there from some people I follow (Austin Kleon makes mixtapes and shares them online and Russell Moore gathers Desert Island playlists from his readers). But my favorite guide for my music selection is Brayden. No matter what I’m in the mood for, he’s got the right song for me.
