When Dan Haseltine, Jars of Clay's lead singer, visited Africa in 2002, he had to struggle to accept what he saw. Poverty and physical and social suffering in Africa shook him, challenged him, and changed him.
Haseltine returned overwhelmed by despair, transformed by hope and called to action. He came back with a vision for clean blood and clean water in Africa -- blood free of the HIV virus and water free of parasites and bacteria that cause AIDS patients and others undue suffering. He and his band mates envisioned this orphaned continent to be transformed through the installation of Christ's sacrificial symbols of blood and water.
Jars of Clay's main audience are the church and young people across the nation. The band knows that both populations are uniquely equipped to respond to world suffering and injustice. The band members saw a shining opportunity for people to offer Gods hand of mercy in the broken places. They believed that through bringing the crisis to the minds and hearts of Americans and through presenting opportunities to make a positive tangible impact in Africa, lives would be transformed both here and there.
This, then, is the Blood:Water Mission, committed to clean blood and clean water to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to build clean wells in Africa, to support medical facilities caring for the sick, to make a lasting impact in the fight against poverty, injustice and oppression in Africa through the linking of needs, talents and continents, of people and resources.
We need you and they need you. Please join us on this journey of hope and care.
"PEACE IS HERE: CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS" BY: JARS OF CLAY AVAILABLE OCTOBER 2007
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"THE ONE, THE ONLY MAGNIFICENT ME!" BY: DAN HASELTINE AVAILABLE NOW
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Tracing a career path that features both millions of records sold and millions of lives touched, Jars of Clay’s new Greatest Hits compilation showcases songs that have
become favorites of fans around the world, as well as the brand-new track “Love Is The Protest.”
Since springing onto the pop music landscape in 1995 with its self-titled debut album, Jars of Clay has been a textbook example of creative growth, never shrinking from the challenge of expanding both individual and collective musical horizons.
Emerging from the tiny campus of Greenville College in Illinois, fostering its sound within the supportive community that Nashville provides, and honing its signature style and substance via countless miles traveled and hundreds of shows performed, Jars of Clay built for itself critical and commercial success, a fervent fan base and an impressive catalog of songs.
But through the nearly decade-and-a-half existence of the band, the creative core has remained the same, something rarely seen in the rigors of today’s music industry. Charlie Lowell, Matt Odmark, Stephen Mason and Dan Haseltine have weathered the personal and professional storms of being in the pop culture eye, and continue to be committed to the music this unique partnership engenders.
Jars of Clay Greatest Hits features digitally remastered tracks and kicks off with the massive international hit “Flood,” which propelled the band into the forefront of public awareness. The project goes on to chronologically chart the band’s willingness to tackle issues both musically and lyrically, simultaneously showing vulnerability (on songs like “Frail,” “I Need You,” “Like A Child”) and strength (“Crazy Times,” “Show You Love,” “Work”).
With the brand new track “Love Is The Protest,” Jars of Clay points toward a vital and vibrant future for the band, flexing that creative muscle that 15 years of making music together provides. “We wanted to write a rock ‘n’ roll song that brought light to what it means to err on the side of love rather than judgment,” Haseltine says.
The Essential Records project is available now in both retail and digital outlets.
Thanks for keeping the music rolling. To me it is a very spiritual experience. Prayers are needed for the upfront frontline people, musicians as yourself..YOU are highly prayed for.God bless you for healing me through your music. Diana
Hey guys~ Just wanted to say that your music is just awesome...and this year at Soulfest you guys rocked!!! And Dan's True Love Essay was amazing. I know that when I get inspired to do something, like a real random act of kindness, or try to be nice to someone I don't really like, I know it's in part to that beautiful essay. Thank you. ♥God bless you!
Hey JOC. Thankyou so much for coming back out and playing again at the Evergreen State Fair. The rain sucked, but you guys were awesome. So it was totally worth it. Nice Mohawk btw! lol.
Again thankyou for giving us a great concert even though it was cold and rainy. luv, Monica #1 fan of JOC!