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Life is full of choices, but along the way are you focusing on Him? The world often bites our heels as we walk through life, and we have found that the only way to survive is to focus on Him, not our problems. Worshipping God through our music provides us an opportunity to tell the world about our favorite subject: JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Savior, without whom we are nothing and with whom we can accomplish all things; whose mercy and sacrifice we are unworthy of but forever thankful. Each of the members of Focus on Him has our own testimony of how God has orchestrated events in our lives to bring us to this place and time. Some of us have always been in the ministry, while a few of us took a wrong turn here or there along the way. Each of us feels blessed to have been brought together as an instrument spreading the Word through music. Our debut CD, An Unfocused World, is a collection of original material, smooth vocal harmonies in a contemporary worship style, reflecting the heart of our message. Even though we are unworthy, God’s loving grace will shine through a willing heart. It is our joy and purpose to glorify Him in all things, and we daily seek a closer relationship with Him.

Lori Rutledge - Vocals

I think I was singing about Jesus even before I learned to sing my A-B-C’s. My earliest memories are of standing between Grandpa and Daddy in Plainview Community Church in Wichita, Kansas, singing the good old hymns. Grandpa introduced me to Jesus and my whole life I’ve always known God was there, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to experience what it means to really have a relationship with Him. What an amazing journey! It’s funny to look back over the years and see exactly how God directed the events in my life, even when I thought I was the one “in control.” Thank God for His forgiveness and grace!
After leading praise and worship each week at church with my husband for several years, I took a year off singing when Mark was called to play bass with a different church. While it was nice to sit back, rejuvenate and learn from some truly gifted musicians, I am so blessed to be singing alongside my husband again, a man whose passion for worshipping God through music inspires me.
My original degree was in Marketing/Management from Texas A&M (whoop!), but one of the amazing roads along my journey is how God provided an opportunity for me to get my teaching certification and then a Masters of Education. Other than sharing His Glory with others by singing, this is definitely what God put me here to do! But as much as I love my job as a middle school assistant principal in Fort Bend ISD, I love my job as “Mom” even more. I love to brag about our three amazing kids: Dustin (17), Jennifer (15) and Dillon (12), along with our recent addition to our family, niece Brittany (11).
Speaking of family, Mark and I are so thankful that we are a part of the Focus on Him family. It is an incredible journey when you let God take control and you just go along for the ride!

Matt Kunkel - Mateo - Vocals and Guitar

Hey, everyone! My name is Matthew, some call me Mateo, and music has been a major focus of my life from a young age. I started with piano lessons at age 9, then the tuba in middle school band, and the bass and 6-string guitar on my own in high school. I have participated in several bands of various genres and backgrounds since high school, but as I and my love for God matured, my desire to be of service to Him increased. In 1995, with the birth of my Oldest daughter, Taylor, I started playing and singing Contemporary Christian music and have never looked back. God has given me a love of music with a purpose to reach others for Him. I am now part of the worship team of NCCAOG church in Needville, Texas and serving Him with all I have. Father's Day each year is special to me!

I am a 39 years old Christian, father living in Needville, TX. I have two wonderful daughters, Taylor, 12, and Kate, 7, and they are very special to me and I love them with all my heart. I work for the Lord, but Jason's Deli in Katy has allowed me to serve the church on Sunday mornings and get to share His love everywhere I go. They even let me play Christian Radio on Sundays at the Deli.

I accepted Christ's gift of salvation as a young man in Kingwood, TX, at the age of 13, and I was a member of First Baptist Church in Needville from 1992 until the summer of 2006. The Lord has lead me to a new trail to the NCCAOG family. Along the way in life I have stumbled, but by the Grace and Love the Lord, He has shown each one of us we are able to stand firm and serve Him. I enjoy many things, but besides playing with Focus on Him, my girls are what I enjoy the most. I also cook a mean steak;)

My musical influences are Storyside B, 33 miles, Casting Crowns, James Taylor, Mercyme, Jeremy Camp, Building 429 and Phillips, Craig, and Dean! My prayer is that everything that I do will Glorify God.

bHg, Matt

Mark Rutledge - Basszilla - Bass, Vocals

I'm Mark Rutledge, 38 year old bass player from Sugar Land, Texas. For as long as I can remember, I've lived and breathed music...from tuba in the Clements High School marching band and bass guitar since then. I took a long detour playing bass in heavy metal, country western, funk, blues, reggae, and calypso bands all over Texas and Louisiana. I even played with a couple of bands on Carnival Cruise Lines. But I couldn't find the joy in the music and in 1998 I laid down my guitar.

I've come to realize that the next series of events were orchestrated by God as an answer to my wife Lori’s prayers. In 2000, we joined a small non-denominational family-based church and I was presented with the opportunity to play praise and worship music--pretty much the only music I had NO experience with. It was then I finally realized that in order to find the joy that was missing in my music, I needed to lay down my life for Christ and pick up the bass and play for the One who gave me the ability. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and Lori and I were baptized together to signify our family's new life in Christ.

I have a wonderful, supportive wife who loves to sing for the Lord as much as I love to play bass for Him. Our home is blessed with three beautiful, awesome children of our own (Dustin-17, Jennifer-15, Dillon-12) and the recent addition of our sweet niece (Brittany-11). In my spare time when I'm not playing music, I work as a police officer for Alief ISD. That's where God worked once again, bringing Phil across my path...and here I am!

Christian music influences include: PETRA, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, The Swift, Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Chris Rice, 33 Miles, Pillar, Mark Schultz, Day Of Fire and Kutless.

I thank God for not letting me go and for bringing me back where I belong.

Phil Felton - Mr. Keys - Keyboards, Vocals

: I got an early start in music by playing the piano at age 3. My parents noticed at that time that I would hear something on the radio or television and immediately go to the piano in the living room and start playing what I had just heard. I started piano lessons at age 4 and was trained in the classics through the 8th grade. In my freshman year of high school, with the support of my parents and my coach, I embarked on what would develop into a career in the area of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine.

The music lessons stopped but my love for music continued to grow throughout my high school days at Alief Hastings High School. I played in a couple of rock and roll bands and also played solo on numerous occasions while juggling my responsibilities in athletics. After graduating from high school in 1978, I was accepted into the Athletic Training program at the University of Houston where I worked with the football and basketball programs until 1983. After finishing college I started what has become a 25 year career in public education. In the fall of 1983 I started working at Hamshire Fannett High School as the school's Athletic Trainer. After one year at Hamshire Fannett, the opportunity for me to come back to Alief materialized by being named the Athletic Trainer at Elsik High School. After 11 years at Elsik, I moved over to the Alief ISD Transportation Department where I am currently Assistant Director.

I met my wife Joli in 1972 while we were in middle school. After high school, we each went our separate ways and lost touch for several years. It was clearly an Act of God that brought us together again. All of the years of college, career, and building a family put music on the back burner for more than 20 years.

In 2000, Joli and I and our 7 children made the decision to move to Needville. Shortly after the move, I was encouraged by Joli and some of my fellow church members to start playing again. During the summer of 2001, I joined up with Matt, Dick, and Joey to form the group "Focus". The group has evolved over the years and has had several different members in different vocal, instrumental, and support roles. God has played an incredible role in helping me to realize that I can be his instrument in spreading the Word through music. I am incredibly blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and all of those who have been involved with the band. It is a thrill and a blessing every time you go out and realize that someone may have been touched or moved or even changed in some way because of your efforts through God.

Richard Tew - Uncle Rich! - Drums

“Sup”!!! I’m no longer the newest, but still the best looking member of Focus On Him. I’m from St. Stephens, Alabama, and for most of you who don’t know where that is, don’t worry, most folks in Alabama don’t either! Music/ministry has been around me all my life. My dad, an evangelist, can play almost any instrument he picks up. His mom is a minister, not to mention she and my grandpa ministered through music as well. Almost all 7 of his other siblings are multiple musically inclined. My mom’s parents are the Sullivan family. They have ministered musically for years in the bluegrass gospel field. They are in the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as many other accomplishments too numerable to mention. I, on the other hand, after many failed attempts (guitar, bass, keyboard) almost gave up on being able to play music. One day, back in junior high school, I attended a practice session for a band that a friend of mine was playing in. Their drummer didn’t show and they needed someone to fill in, so I did. I sat down, and at the end of the session, they asked me to play for their band. I played rock for years until 1996 when I re-committed my life to Christ. Receiving salvation at an early age (10) I turned away from the Lord for years until a revival at Clearwater Assembly of God in Wagarville, Alabama. The rest is history. I moved to Texas in August 2005, and met the love of my life (only 2nd to Christ) Susan, and we were married in October 2006. I attend church in Needville, Texas at NCCAOG. Susan’s encouragement, backing, and love for Christ is a strength that I always draw on. Her critique/input is very crucial.

Being in Focus On Him is an answered prayer. First it provides a way to tell about my favorite subject…JESUS CHRIST my Lord and Savior, whom without I am nothing and whom with I can accomplish all things, by who’s mercy and sacrifice I am unworthy but forever thankful. Secondly, it helps me express myself musically in Christian environments, which I have wanted to do since I was saved.

Musical influences: David and the Giants, Jr. Clad, Petra, Plumb, Mercy Me, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Morella’s Forest, Falling Up.
Also would like to thank Vanilla Coke, Dan Marino, George Lucas, comic books, DVD’s, indoor plumbing, Ford Motor Company, Star Wars, American Eagle, Walmart, Ewan McGreggor, Chinese food, University of Alabama, pizza, Mapex drums, X-Box, charmin ultra toilet paper (sooooooo soft) playstation 2, action figures, and Ireland.

Christy Irvin - Vocals

My name is Christy Irvin and I am the first female member of the band in history! Yes!! I just love breaking records. I was brought up in a musical family. Practically everyone in my family is involved in Christian music in one way or another. I have several cousins who are the musicians for a “Blue-grass” band. My mother, Evelyn, plays the piano for church. My cousin, Sherri, is the Music Minister at Harvest Bible Fellowship of Damon. My Uncle Heinz is the Music Minister at First Baptist Church of Needville. My mother “chained” me to the piano bench beginning at age 5 and I also play the drums. I am also a piano and percussion private lessons instructor. But the art of singing, especially singing for the Lord, has always been my first love of music.

I am 37 years old and originally from Needville, Texas. I am very blessed to have been brought up in a home with a Christian mother, Christian grandparents, and Christian aunts and uncles. I learned at an early age to love the Lord with all of my heart, mind and soul. Whereas I work for the Lord, I am very fortunate to receive a paycheck every month from Channelview Independent School District for my services as a 6th grade teacher. I received my Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Houston in 1996. I have been with Channelview I.S.D. ever since. It’s been 11 years now! It is such a blessing to work with children. (Most of the time! Ha ha!)

During a revival in 1980, I received Christ as my Savior at First Baptist Church in Needville. I was 11 years of age. I have been a part of many different churches all over the world. I have been a member of FBC Needville ever since returning from a four year tour serving with the United States Air Force as a Russian Cryptologic Linguist. I enjoy working with children (especially my best friend’s brilliant and loving kids – Brittany and Brad), jamming to some “fly” music, riding horses and ATVs, and helping out those in need.

The artists that have had the greatest affect on my musical growth are MercyMe, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Casting Crowns, The Gaither Vocal Band, Chris Rice, Big Daddy Weave, Selah, Mark Schultz, and Michael W. Smith. My prayer is that our music will lead the lost to The Light, Jesus Christ Our Savior. After all, what ELSE are we here to do?

TO THE HARVEST!!

Kernie Baker - Lead Guitar

(Aka: Kern-dog, Kern-meister, Kern-man)

I’m Kernie Baker 45 year old lead guitar player living in Needville, TX. I taught myself to play guitar by ear and I’m still learning the do’s and don’ts, so if you hear some bad notes they’re probably coming from me!!....I took the long road on giving my talents back to the Lord. I played in bar bands for about 12 years and never did find anything worth playing for in those situations. (Not even the money!!) One day, about 5 years ago, I was invited to sit in with a really small contemporary church. Man, what an eye and heart opening experience, I trusted Christ the first service I played and felt like a ton of bricks were lifted off my shoulders. Since then I’ve been playing regularly at a church in Richmond and love it. I feel so blessed to be able to give back my talents that Christ so graciously gave me. I have a wonderful wife and 8-year-old son and thank God everyday for them. My vision is to encourage others towards Christ using music and personal experiences.
Music influences: Of course from the early years…Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Christian influences: Christ, Jeremy Camp, Switchfoot, Phil Keaggy, Lincoln Brewster
Equipment I prefer: Gibson & Fender guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Digitech, BBE, and Celestion Speakers

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