Stephen Christian
Stephen Christian | |
---|---|
pop punk | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, pastor |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboards, guitar |
Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Tooth & Nail Records |
Member of | Anberlin, Anchor & Braille |
Formerly of | SaGoh 24/7 |
Stephen Christian Arnold is an American singer and songwriter best known as the
He founded the non-profit and humanitarian-oriented band Faceless International, and is the founder of Wood Water Records, the home of Anchor & Braille. Christian wrote and self-published the memoir The Orphaned Anything's (2008). Christian also started the solo project Anchor & Braille in 2007, and their debut album
On October 30, 2018, Calvary Church of Clearwater, Florida announced that Christian will assume the role of director of worship and creative arts in January 2019, and on August 26, 2019, Christian announced that he would be the campus pastor for Grace Family Church's South Tampa Campus.[3]
Early life and education
Stephen Christian was born in
At some point in his early life, Christian moved to
Christian is a graduate from University of Central Florida and the Florida State University College of Law,[4] with a bachelor's degree in Psychology.[5] He attended college to study non-profits, with plans to work for Habitat for Humanity or UNICEF, but Anberlin was signed a month after he graduated.[6]
Career
2002–2014: Anberlin
Following the signing of Anberlin, Christian wrote many of the songs on each of the band's albums. Anberlin has released seven albums: Blueprints for the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal, Cities, New Surrender, and Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place, Vital, and Lowborn. Anberlin also released a compilation album, Lost Songs. They released their final album in 2014.
Christian wrote a memoir, The Orphaned Anything's, which was self-published via iUniverse in early 2008.
2007–2014: Anchor & Braille, Wood Water Records
He is also the founder of Anchor & Braille's label, Wood Water Records, which is distributed through
His 2012 album with Anchor & Braille,
2015–present: Worship leader and Anberlin reunion
After what was purported to be a final world tour with Anberlin, Christian followed what he described as "God's leading" to serve as director of worship at Calvary Chapel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[11] In May 2015, Christian was a contestant on The Price Is Right, dressing up like host Drew Carey circa his appearance on Star Search.[12]
The Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida announced that Christian would return to the Tampa Bay region to assume the role of director of worship and creative arts on January 6, 2019.[13][14] He accepted the role of campus pastor of Grace Family Church's South Tampa Campus on August 26, 2019.[15][3] That same year, Anberlin formally announced their reunion after what was believed to be a one-off tour in 2018.[16]
Publishing history
Books
- The Orphaned Anything's (February 2008)
Discography
With SaGoh 24/7
Studio albums
- 1999: Servants After God's Own Heart – lead vocals
- 2001: Then I Corrupt Youth – lead vocals
With Anberlin
Studio albums
- 2003: Blueprints for the Black Market – lead vocals
- 2005: Never Take Friendship Personal – lead vocals
- 2007: Cities – lead vocals
- 2007: Lost Songs – lead vocals
- 2008: New Surrender – lead vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer
- 2010: Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place – lead vocals
- 2012: Vital – lead vocals
- 2013: Devotion – lead vocals
- 2014: Lowborn – lead vocals
With Anchor & Braille
Year | Album title | Release details | Chart peaks | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Heat
| |||||
2009 | Felt |
|
30 | ||
2012 | The Quiet Life |
|
11 | ||
2016 | Songs for the Late Night Drive Home |
|
— | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
As a solo artist
Collaborations
The following is an incomplete list of songs that have Stephen Christian featured as either a vocalist or songwriter:
- 2009: Craig Owens – With Love EP (featured vocalist on the song "Products of Poverty")
- 2011: Hyland – "The One That Got Away" (featuring Stephen Christian during the chorus)
- 2015: Fireflight – "Safety" (featuring Stephen Christian), on Innova
- Horsell Common – "I'm Dead" (featuring Stephen Christian)
- 2022: Zakk Cash - “Goodbye” (featured vocalist)
- Esteban – "Follow" (featuring Stephen Christian)
- Greek Fire – "I'm Afraid of Americans" (featuring Stephen Christian)
- Number One Gun – "Disappear" (featuring Stephen Christian), on This Is All We Know
See also
Further reading
- Interview: Stephen Christian of Anberlin by Songfacts (January 3, 2013)
- Interview: Anberlin’s Stephen Christian by Vulture Magazine (August 18, 2014)
- Interview: John O'Callaghan (the Maine) and Stephen Christian (Anberlin) talk co-headlining by Alt Press(October 15, 2013)
- Video: Interview with Stephen Christian by Real Feels (August 19, 2014)
References
- ^ a b "Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
- ^ "Anchor & Braille - The Quiet Life". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
- ^ a b "Stephen Christian on Instagram: "So excited to announce that I've taken a Pastoral role at @gfcflorida. Special thanks to Pastor Craig and the South Tampa community for the…"". Instagram. August 26, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Topic Galleries - South Florida". Sun-Sentinel. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ^ "Suburban Roads". Suburban Roads. February 9, 2007. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ^ "Meet new people and chat online with MeetMe!". Myyearbook.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ^ a b "Anchor & Braille Release Date, Track List". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
- ^ "Anchor & Braille". Interpunk. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
- Alternative Press. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
- ^ "Anchor & Braille Debut "Goes Without Saying" on ARTISTdirect.com". ARTISTdirect. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ "Stephen Christian | Calvary Church".
- ^ Crane, Matt (May 14, 2015). "Anberlin singer goes on 'The Price Is Right,' is pretty chill about it". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Anberlin singer Stephen Christian hired as worship leader at Calvary Church in Clearwater". October 30, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ "Interview with Stephen Christian | Calvary Church".
- ^ Trapp, Philip (August 26, 2019). "Anberlin's Stephen Christian Becomes a Pastor at Florida Church". Loudwire.
- ^ Childers, Chad (April 9, 2019). "Anberlin Reunite for First Tour in Five Years". Loudwire. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "#WILDFIRES coming July, 2017". Facebook.
- ^ "Spirited by Stephen Christian". NewReleaseToday.