Justin Unger is a rising worship leader and recording artist, but it’s doubtful many would have forecasted this career choice earlier in the man’s life. “What really drove me was meteorology,” Unger explains. Sure, he grew up also loving Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith, but instead of watching the stars on, say, MTV, he was far more fascinated with the ‘up in the sky’ variety. “Before I even went to high school, I desired to chase tornados. I thought it’d be so cool -- as an adventure and as a career -- to study the weather and God’s creation; to look around and be able to see His glory in all that we have here.”
Unger is still enthralled with God’s glory; only now, he channels this amazement via joyous praise and worship music. Even so, the arc of his musical career has been far less predictable than the relatively steady weather patterns of his Prescott, Arizona home.
Back in 2003, he, along with Ben Kolarcik, comprised the successful Christian duo, Across The Sky. In 2004, on the strength of its self-titled debut, Across The Sky was nominated for GMA’s New Artist of the Year.
After achieving breakthrough success with Across The Sky, however, God began to give Unger a deeply sincere love for His church. And soon he found himself transitioning from the role of musical partner, to that of musical pastor.
“I’m the lead worship pastor at The Heights church,” he says. “It’s been around for a long time, but since 1997 God’s been doing some radical things there. The leadership is so focused on preaching the truth, and music is relevant, so it’s bringing in a lot of people and connecting with the culture in a really cool way.”
This new role as pastor has changed Unger’s life for the better in so many ways.
“Becoming a pastor has been so inspiring, even in my songwriting,” he elaborates. “It helps keep me accountable because I’ve got a standard and a quality to live up to now. Now I’ve got people, these sheep, looking up to me for direction and leadership. Not just in worship, but in the way I live my life. And it's not that I do it just for them, but because I just want to be a pleasant offering to the Lord in everything I do.”
Unger’s first worship project, Disengage was released in 2008. It's a mix of inspiring songs that leads its listeners straight to Gods word. Featuring songs like "Behold" from Psalm 24, "I Will Go Before" from John 15:18, and "Everything" from Revelation 20. Overall, this project perfectly expresses the wonderfully counterintuitive plan God has for each and every believer.
In 2009, Unger released another unique album, To Know You Love Me: Songs for the Stillness, which he describes as a more devotional project. “The goal of this project is for people to be able to sit down, listen, and to open their Bibles and meditate on God’s word and the words to the songs, and to have their devotional time,” he summarizes." A truly family project, you can hear Justin's wife Falon with her rich alto voice on the album too. Originally, many of these songs were recorded simply to play for their three young children (Carson, Ethnie, and Nolan) as they fell asleep at night “because I wanted to fill their minds with God’s word as they slept,” he says. “One day some friends were over and they caught on to our concept to do that with their kids. That inspired Justin and Falon to release this project.
Most recently, Justin has been working on the latest album which he calls the "Sophomore Project." This project will release throughout the summer of 2010 starting with "This is Freedom"-- a patriotic masterpiece that brings the focus of freedom back to the basics. When listening to the title track, you experience an emotional journey as Justin captures the true symbolism of the American Flag and remembers those who have laid down there lives for our country, then ultimately points to the freedom we find in Christ. "I am already blown away by the countless ways this song is touching hearts of Americans from coast to coast," Unger states. "Some Good Advice" is the title of the overall sophomore project that will release in mid september and consists of thirteen songs with a slight corporate worship vibe, but not straying from his catchy unique melodies and creative driving biblical lyrics. This project also includes songs that take a more organic yet groovy, pop direction. Justin says, "I am especially excited about the song titled "Strangers." It was derived from my favorite verse in 1 Peter where we are called to live as aliens and strangers in this world." Justin is excited to build a momentum for each piece of the "Sophomore Project" to bring his listeners to a place of worship and dependence on God, the author and perfecter of our faith.
So, Justin Unger may have grown up fascinated by weather patterns, but instead of chasing tornados predicting temperatures nowadays, he’s watching for where the Spirit is working. And while the weather may change from day to day, Unger gladly proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And that’s the sort of forecast we can all live with.
