(Nashville, Tennessee) – March 20, 2008 --By involving themselves with other ministries, Bread of Stone focuses on more than just music. Partnering with Christ In Action and Homes of Hope, the band in the month of March is helping families recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Knowing what it’s like living in an area having little, founding members, Ben and Bill Kristijanto are motivated by memories of having grown up in Indonesia. This month the band traveled back to St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana to help with the disaster relief efforts—a trip that marks the third such visit.
“When St. Bernard Parish was a barren land in early 2006, BOS (Bread of Stone) came here to work but they did much more than physical labor. They gave us a spiritual uplifting by performing a free concert at Adullam Christian Fellowship's gutted building” say Cheryl Renz, St. Bernard Parish resident. “This month the guys are back to assist in the rebuilding process consisting of anything from gutting homes, hanging drywall, electrical work, painting etc...they’ve proven their not afraid of hard, dirty work.”
The experience of seeing poverty in their childhood has had a lasting effect on the lives of the Kristijanto brothers. They remember life and their view of poverty while living in Indonesia in contrast to what they saw coming to the United States. "Being younger, we were kind of secluded from what was going on there," front man Ben said, "If you're that person (living in poverty), you don't know any better. We don't really have anything to compare it to over here.”
Infused with a global vision and an energy that finds its source in their passion for bringing others closer to Jesus, Bread of Stone’s (BOS) rise as an up-and-coming Christian band based out of Sioux City, Iowa, has been a steady climb. Formed by brothers Ben (vocals) and Bill Kristijanto (guitar) and later joined by friends Jeremi Hough (drums) and Tim Barnes (bass), they have answered the call to ministry through inspiring music. When asked about the significance of the name “Bread of Stone,” Bill states: “We as Christians are all merely stones who—in God’s hands—can be turned into bread to feed the hungry.”
Since the release of their original self-produced album,
Broken Vessels, BOS has been blessed with many incredible opportunities to expand their musical horizon. A major highlight of their vast touring experience was being a part of the Farewell Tour for the legendary group Petra. Other tour experience includes Stellar Kart, Phil Joel, DecembeRadio, and Casting Pearls. In addition to their extensive touring schedule they have had the experience of sharing the stage with artists such as tobyMac, Jars of Clay, and Chris Tomlin.
Bread of Stone’s current single “Letting Go” off their sophomore project of the same name is currently being serviced to Christian radio and is also the upcoming major industry promotion thru CRW. In April, Bread of Stone will tour with Building 429 and Remedy Drive on the Lifelight Tour, April 9th through April 19th. Concert date/markets include.
4/09 - Brookings, SD
4/10 - Ida Grove, IA
4/11 - Milbank, SD
4/12 - Aberdeen, SD
4/13 - Sturgis, SD
4/14 - Lincoln, NE
4/16 - Huron, SD
4/17 - Sioux Falls, SD
4/18 - Worthington, MN
4/19 - Stanton, MO
For more info about Bread of Stone, including tour dates, please visit
http://www.breadofstone.com/.