PLATTSBURGH -- When Martha Warmuth coordinated special activities for the Church of the Nazarene, she searched for a contemporary Christian band that would have local appeal.

The New Haven, Conn., based group Holyfire caught her eye more than a year ago at Soulfest, a gigantic Christian music festival for young people in New Hampshire. The talent's style at the event ranged from contemporary Christian to hard rock and punk rock.

"They have many different stages," Warmuth said of the festival. "The big national bands play at the main stage, and they have other stages. I was searching the Web site to find a group that would appeal to people here and people would enjoy their sound."

SHARE GOD'S LOVE

Holyfire's current configuration is Justin Kendrick (guitar and vocalist), Chrisy Kendrick (keyboards and vocalist), Jon Wisecarver (guitar), Joe Jacobs (bass) and Madison Bollinger (drums). The youngest member is 21 and the oldest 26.

"The ministry is focused on two things, primarily music, but we do teaching and things like that," said Justin Kendrick. "Our mission is first to share God's love with people who don't know it and to encourage and inspire young people to live a life that follows God's."

Holyfire began as a church-youth ministry of Frontline Christian Church in Hamden, Conn. The ministry became full-time in 2004. Besides the five band members, there are nine staffers. The band performs 120 concerts a year. When they're not on the road, they ...

"Sleep," Kendrick said. "We work on resources. We have an office. Each member of the ministry has a different responsibility. Some will do the Web site. Some will do the scheduling."

OUT OF HIDING

The band performs almost all original music. The name Holyfire was chosen to promote holiness.

"We're passionate about it."

Last year, it was decided that Holyfire Ministry would handle the conference teaching and discipleship for Christ. The band -- renamed since it was booked for the Plattsburgh gig -- is now Out of Hiding, which is taken from the New Testament's "Epistle to the Galatians," a letter by Paul of Tarsus to early Christian communities.

"It basically says that God is bringing his truth out of hiding and bringing it to the front so people can see it."

Holyfire Ministry and Out of Hiding are challenged by the frenetic pace of young people that fragments their lives.

"There are so many things in our culture today that are drawing people away from God," Kendrick said. "The media and the overall culture we live in is drawing people to drugs, sex and ungodly lifestyles.