What started as a community of friends embracing life and loving Jesus together, living together in a house with a bunch of guitars and recording what God put on their hearts, soon became known as the band United Pursuit. They reign from Knoxville, Tenn. They’ve played across America and even a few continents. Their next stop? La Mirada. United Pursuit will be the worship band for Biola’s 83rd annual Missions Conference. The band is made up of six individuals that make a family.

The headline on their website reads: “We are a family of best friends. Our dreams and passions have fastened us together, held strong by God and our love for each other. We also like to play music together.”

What more could you want from a worship band? Each member brings in their personal style of worship that creates a unique blend of worship and passion.

“It was our deepest conviction to bring only those who were truly consumed with love and passion for God,” said Kyle Donn, Missions Conference director. “[We wanted] a fruit-bearing, spirit-filled, God-and-people-loving group of believers, abandoned to the will of God, whose worship is a simple overflow of having been with Jesus.”

Range in talent brings unique sound

Guitarist and lyricist Will Reagan has a very soulful voice as he sings lead vocals on the band’s song “Set a Fire,” which has become a popular selection at Biola’s chapels. His lyrics prove to be enthralling as he sings praises to God. “Set a fire down in my soul, that I can’t contain, that I can’t control,” captivates the listener with such intense imagery.

Alongside Reagan, guitarist Brock Human brings his own heart to worship. Human’s song “Come Away” is written in God’s voice reaching out for his children. You can really hear Human’s passion when he sings this song. Jake LeBoeuf brings the folk to the band with such songs like “Waterfall.”

Each of these singer-songwriters has a unique blend that causes a diverse sound that is very unique to this generation. Rather than a dispassionate group of believers leading worship, United Pursuit conveys a message of being sold-out for Christ and praising God through worship and living this idea out in their lives. Their music ranges from soft acoustic soul to powerful worship anthems, while some have a bit of folk thrown in. Other members of the band include Nathan Fray, Michael Ketterer and Reagan’s wife Andrea Marie Reagan.

“It seems they are in tune with the Spirit of God and will help guide students into a genuine place of worship that will prepare them to receive the Word of God,” said Luke Cheng, Missions Conference band care member.

Different from average worship

Their diverse blend of style mixed and weaved together creates a worship that is different from what students at Biola are used to. They are defying today’s worship norms and not falling into the average sound.

“United Pursuit is a group of passionate young people who lead others into intimacy with Jesus by example,” Donn said.

If you’d like to learn more about the band, you can check out their personal website or their Myspace page. For examples of their diversity, check out their powerful worship with “Even Now” or their folk worship with “Waterfall.” Also, don’t forget to listen to “Set a Fire.” Be sure to catch United Pursuit during the 83rd annual Missions Conference at Biola.