About
Us
Drummers
For
Jesus
was formed in Dallas, Texas in 2002. Drummers for Jesus is
a world wide network of drummers and percussionists who use
their drumming to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
What
is that message? "For God so loved the world that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
We believe in the Great Commission, "Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew
28:19, 20.
We
promote this message through fellowship activities from the
local level to the international level. Our ministry is built
in the HOPE of Jesus Christ, "I have come into
the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should
stay in darkeness." John 12:46
Carlos
Benson (founder
and president of Drummers for Jesus, Inc.)
Carlos
Benson was born and raised in a middle-class home in Covington,
Kentucky, brought up in the church, Latonia
Baptist Church, baptized at the age of 9. Though he went
to church most every Sunday (from the time he was a baby until
he graduated high school), it wouldn't be until later in life
that Carlos would have a relationship with Jesus.
Carlos
started playing drums when he was 13 and by age 16 he was
playing professionally. He had great musical training both
as a "street" player and as a schooled player. Carlos'
high school years were surrounded with band activities. Playing
in the #1 high school band at the time consumed most of his
time. Say's Carlos, "I practiced. I got good." Then
in his senior year, Carlos was offered several full music
scholarships to study percussion. Drums was what he lived
and breathed. His faith? Jesus? "I didn't have time,"
says Carlos. So, he chose Morehead State University in Kentucky
and off he went. While at Morehead, Carlos studied with famed
percussion teacher Dr. Robert Schietroma (now at the Universtiy
of North Texas) who mentored Carlos and saw him through alot
of LIFE mistakes. "Although I dropped out of college
several times, Doc never lost faith in my talent ... and I
am forever grateful to him." Finally through, Carlos
left school for good, a jazz trio offered him a job which
led to traveling with bands and doing studio work for the
next 35 years. "Good bands, bad bands
great players
and some not so great," says Carlos, "I didn't play
music ALL that time; sometimes I had to work at a gas station,
or paint, or lay carpet
paying dues ... surviving ...
getting to travel and meet people
and sometimes living
in one place for awhile."
Carlos
has lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami,
Nashville and now Dallas (for the past 5 years). "I've
had some good times, I've had some SCARY times," says
Carlos, "... times I know I could have died from the
things that I was involved in or exposed to. JESUS was watching
over me. He was with me, but still I wasn't with HIM."
About 12 years ago, Carlos met Scott Miller. "Scott is
a good Christian brother who set me on my path back to the
Lord," said Carlos. Since that time, Carlos' life has
been become CHRIST centered - the focus of who he is. He met
his wonderful wife Cindy, "... she's a gift from God
... there aren't enough words;" they've been married
9 years. Another blessing is Carlos' 17-year-old daughter
Ashley who came to live with them several years ago. "Ashley
has added a new dimension to my life called 'fatherhood',"says
Carlos, "what a joy!"
Two
years ago, Drummers
for Jesus was formed while Carlos was having lunch
with a percussionist named Jon Skaggs, a fellow member of
Lakepointe
Church praise band.
Carlos'
drumming duties these days include teaching drums/percussion,
doing some studio work and playing drums at Lakepointe
Church, and organizing the International
Drummers for Jesus Celebration. Other musical hobbies
that Carlos enjoys includes playing the guitar, piano, writing
music, and drum/keyboard programming. "I like watching
basketball, teasing our cat Chloe and all kinds of activities
with church and family," says Carlos. So, DRUMS? Well,
the ultimate call for Carlos is worshiping with the drums,
that's what he calls "MAKING IT BIG ... playing for the
Lord; it doesn't get bigger than that." When Carlos is
worshiping at the drums, "I love the feeling of the ANNOINTING
and knowing that Jesus has 'taken over'." "May you
too feel the JOY of KNOWING Jesus."
"THE
LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIM,
TO THE ONE WHO SEEKS HIM." Lamentations
3:25
|