BRAD DUNCAN


Portland, OR



BRAD DUNCAN


One of Brad's unique gifts is to challenge students

One of Brads unique gifts is to challenge students right where they are, and he has a passion for pouring his heart into the lives of students. He has a gift for communicating the Gospel not only in front of students with a microphone, but also one on one around a pizza and coke. It would not be uncommon to see Brad playing basketball, getting in water fights, anything to simply spend some extra time, one-on-one, with students apart from his speaking. Brad firmly believes that it is the relationships with students that break down the barriers that so easily hold students back from hearing what is said during session time.

Brads ministry consists of two driving passions first and primary is to see the lost come to Christ. Brad has a special ability to communicate the truth to the "troubled youth" - the one who is so outwardly rebellious, yet inwardly his heart is shattered by lifes issues. Also due to Brads background, he is well aware of the needs of the "lifer" - the student who has grown up in Church and has grown apathetic about his or her faith, thus taking it for granted. Could it be that the "lifer" either doesnt understand how desperately he/she needs Christ or have they simply forgotten?

The second passion is Brads heart for discipleship – teaching students how to not just survive in their relationship with Christ, but how to excel - discovering how the Christian walk doesnt have to be like trying to tread water.

Brad has been a favorite at numerous camps, conferences, and festivals throughout the country.

Background

Until December 2002 he was band director and lead guitarist for Grammy Award winner Rebecca St. James. He served under her ministry for seven years, many times filling the gap as the touring road pastor. It was during his tenure with Rebecca that Brad founded the Modern worship band Fusebox.

Combining Brad’s heart for the youth of this generation, and his touring history, it is not uncommon to see Brad on tour with many of today’s rock bands – both speaking, and serving as the road pastor.

Brad lived in Albany, Oregon during his teenage years where he began playing the guitar and singing at 14years old.

Attending college at Linn-Benton Community College and later Salem Bible College, he graduated in 1993 and went on to become the associate youth pastor at Albany First Assembly of God Church. Prior to his college years he spent a year in the Assembly of Gods Master s Commission program where three months of that time was assisting a missionary in Mexico City, Mexico.

In the fall of 1994, Brad became the youth pastor of the Peoples Church of Salem, OR. While on staff, he was involved in the first Christian music festival on the West Coast, Jesus Northwest.

Brad and his wife moved to Nashville in 1996 where he began to pursue a professional career in music. he toured with Whiteheart, and Geoff Moore and the Distance, before beginning his work with Rebecca St. James. He is an original band member for St. James and worked with her since November of 1996, and set out on her inaugural band tour in January of 1997.

In 2001, Fusebox was born out of the touring band for St. James and released their debut CD, Lost In Worship, in February 2002. Brad left Fusebox in February 2004. In Brads words “I just feel like time is short – and I have to be the most effective with the time I have. Playing guitar is a valid (and fun) ministry – but for me - I’m the most effective when I’m speaking hope into students lives.”

In the summer of '07 Brad relocated back to the Pacific Northwest (a culture plagued with addiction, isolationism and countless man-made philosophies that govern the daily routine) to start "a church - for people who hate church." Albany, Oregon is now the home of "The Shift" - a body of believers that are being equipped to carry Truth out of the Christian sub-culture and engage the hurt, hunger, and despair on THEIR turf (for more information visit discovertheshift.com)

You can also visit his website at www.BradDuncan.org