Ministry of Movement: Banning Liebscher and Jesus Culture
3 min read ⭑
“If you love the spotlight more than the secret place, you’re in trouble because it means you care more about pleasing people than pleasing God.”
In contemporary Christian worship, Jesus Culture is one of the most influential ministries of the past two decades. What began as a youth worship band at Bethel Church in Redding, California, has grown into a global movement encompassing music, events, church planting and leadership development. At the helm of this ministry is Banning Liebscher, whose vision has helped shape how a generation of Christians approaches worship, community and discipleship.
Jesus Culture’s worship music, featuring artists like Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala, has become a staple in churches worldwide. It is known for its passionate, spontaneous worship style and songs that emphasize intimate connection with God. However, Jesus Culture represents more than just a worship band — it embodies a broader vision of revival and spiritual transformation that Liebscher has championed throughout his ministry career. His emphasis on passionate devotion, community and purpose-driven faith offers a framework for believers seeking deeper connection with God in today’s world.
Banning Liebscher began his ministry journey at Bethel Church in Redding, California, where he served as a youth pastor for many years. In 1999, he organized the first Jesus Culture youth conference at Bethel Church. What started as a local youth ministry event evolved into something much larger. According to an interview with Converge Media, Liebscher stated, “I was a youth pastor at Bethel in ’97, and in ’99 we had our first youth conference, and called it Jesus Culture... the band came out of what we were doing there. So Chris Quilala was with us when he was like 14, and he’s 30 now. And Kim [Walker-Smith], she’s 31, she’s been with us since 18.”
The ministry gained significant attention when its worship music began reaching broader audiences. Liebscher explained, “In 2005 we said, ‘let’s just record an album, so other people can experience what we’re experiencing.’ So that started taking off, then it got on Youtube and ‘How He Loves’ blew up.”
In 2014, Liebscher, along with his wife SeaJay and their three children (Ellianna, Raya and Lake), relocated to Sacramento, California, to establish Jesus Culture Sacramento, a church committed to their vision of helping believers “encounter God, be empowered as world changers, and engage their city as leaders.” This move represented a significant expansion of his ministry from conferences and worship music to church planting and leadership development.
Relevance for Today’s Believers
Liebscher’s ministry addresses several key challenges facing contemporary Christians: finding purpose, developing authentic spiritual disciplines and engaging meaningfully with community and culture. His teaching emphasizes that spiritual growth happens in “hidden places” before public ministry flourishes — a message particularly relevant for believers navigating their faith in a performance-oriented culture.
In his book “Rooted,” Liebscher presents the perspective that God develops character through seasons of preparation that might not immediately align with one’s vision or calling. He writes, “I understand why a lot of us have a hard time focusing on what is in front of us, because it usually doesn’t look like the promise, dream or vision we have in our hearts. It takes faith and commitment to trust God who gave us both the dream and our current assignment.”
This emphasis on embracing God’s developmental process rather than seeking shortcuts to spiritual influence resonates with many believers who struggle with patience in their spiritual journey. His work offers practical guidance for Christians seeking to balance passionate faith experiences with sustainable spiritual disciplines.
Impact Through Multiple Channels
Liebscher’s influence extends through several avenues: Jesus Culture worship music, conferences, books, podcasts and church leadership. The Jesus Culture movement has produced numerous worship albums that have shaped contemporary Christian worship styles in churches worldwide. Their conferences draw thousands of attendees who come for worship, teaching and ministry training.
As an author, Liebscher has written several books outlining his ministry philosophy and spiritual formation. His published works include “Jesus Culture: Living a Life That Transforms the World,” “Journey of a World Changer: 40 Days to Ignite a Life that Transforms the World,” “Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You” (2016) and “The Three-Mile Walk: The Courage You Need to Live the Life God Wants for You” (2020).
In his writing and speaking, Liebscher frequently emphasizes identity in Christ as foundational for effective ministry. In “Rooted,” he shares a pivotal personal experience: “The Lord spoke to my heart: Banning, you have a choice. You can either be a preacher or you can be a son. If you decide to be a preacher, you’ll be good sometimes and at other times you won’t be that good. But if you decide to be a son, you’ll be great all the time, because you are a fantastic son.”
Notable Connections and Collaborations
Liebscher has collaborated with various Christian leaders and movements throughout his ministry. He has worked closely with Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement, featuring him on the Jesus Culture podcast for discussions on prayer and spiritual formation. His ministry has also been connected with other contemporary worship and charismatic revival movements.
Liebscher’s roots at Bethel Church have shaped his ministry approach, reflecting similar emphases on worship, supernatural ministry and revival. The Jesus Culture movement maintains this spiritual DNA while developing its own distinct expression through its Sacramento church plant and broader ministry initiatives.
Where to Begin Exploring His Work
For those new to Liebscher’s teaching, “Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You” provides an accessible introduction to his core message. The book uses the biblical narrative of David’s development to explore how God prepares people through seasons of intimacy with him, service to others and community with fellow believers.
His most recent book, “The Three-Mile Walk” (2020), examines the story of Jonathan to highlight the courage, holiness and faith needed to fulfill God’s calling. As the book’s introduction describes, it “draws from the biblical story of Jonathan, who, after a treacherous three-mile hike, boldly stepped into battle and watched God work a stunning victory in the midst of impossible odds.”
For those who connect more with audio content, the Jesus Culture Podcast features Liebscher in conversation with various Christian leaders discussing practical aspects of faith and ministry. The Jesus Culture YouTube channel also offers numerous messages from conferences and church services that demonstrate his teaching style and core themes.
