Sufjan Stevens  |  sufjan.com

It’s likely that no other faith-based artist has made a bigger impact in the modern alternative music scene over the last few years than the super hip indie darling Sufjan Stevens. Though his lyrics frequently and clearly approach the world from his Christian perspective, Stevens avoids the actual Christian music scene. That said, he returned as a headlining performer and lecturer for the Festival of Faith & Music at Grand Rapids’ evangelical Calvin College in March. [Look for a feature story on this year’s festival in next month’s CCM.] In addition to his own music, Stevens has frequently joined forces with label mates Danielson.

Rosie Thomas  | rosiethomas.com

Singer/songwriter Rosie Thomas came to faith while attending a Christian college. Her soulful songs are finding an audience coast to coast. In a recent interview with Christianitytoday.com, Thomas explained that her faith is at the center of everything she does. “When I write, the most important thing to me is to leave hope in it. God puts it on my heart to use sorrow to find the bright side. I’ve gotta go through the depths to reach the sincerity. Run the race and finish it—everything will be fine.”

Thrice  |  thrice.net

Most of the members of hard rock band Thrice are believers, and the influence shows up throughout their work. But in a recent interview for modernfix.com front man Dustin Kensrue made it clear that they were not a “Christian band.” “Yeah, some of us are Christians, but in no way is Thrice a ‘Christian band.’ Someone was making a good analogy the other day that if a Christian paints an abstract picture of a tomato, is that a ‘Christian painting’? Obviously not. It’s an abstract painting done by a person who calls himself a Christian.”

Tyrone Wells  |  tyronewells.com

Tyrone Wells was the soulful vocalist for the Word Records signed rock band Skypark for several years before going solo and eventually landing with Universal South. Wells, who is touring with Leigh Nash this year, had enough experience in the Christian market to know that, in order to accomplish what he felt called to, he needed to focus his efforts on the general market.

U2  |  u2.com

Of course no conversation about Christians in the mainstream music scene is complete without mentioning the enormously influential band that literally defined the potential that exists for artists of faith to impact the culture. For nearly two decades, Christian music enthusiasts knew U2 as a band comprised of “three believers and an agnostic.” But with bassist Adam Clayton’s eventual conversion to Christianity, spirituality permeated U2 in a new way. Now 30 years into their run, U2 is more comfortable in their skin as people of faith and as culture shapers than they ever have been. Bono, especially, rarely misses an opportunity to contextualize his passion for social justice in terms of his Christian faith.

Think we’re overlooking someone? Write us at feedback@CCMmagazine.com, and let us know who you think we should highlight and why. And look for Part Two of this guide in next month’s CCM.

John J. Thompson has at various times been—and is occasionally now—an artist, author, pastor, music journalist and industry veteran. He founded True Tunes and Gyroscope Arts and is currently in the process of moving his family to Nashville. Visit JohnJThompson.com and myccm.org/JJT.