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July 1997 was an integral month in the life of the country-tinged Southern Gospel group Christlike. In the group's hometown of Duncan, Oklahoma, Christlike was officially born.

Despite losing and gaining members and losing and gaining some more, Christlike has forged ahead, doing what they do best: singing about the undying love of Christ and being an extension of that love to others.

“One of the founding members of the group, Daniel Anderson, is an ordained minister,” said Weylin Bohannan. “We were doing a service one time, and Daniel started to do this altar call. He did not know how I would feel about it, but it was totally what I was feeling at the time. We are at the point now in our ministry that we do not want to go somewhere where that can not be done. It is a part of our ministry, and it is a part of who we are.”

Musically, it is hard to pin down a style that Christlike is all about. Gleaning influences from everything from the country flavored acts like Jeff & Sheri Easter, Hinsons and Midsouth to traditional Southern Gospel like Gold City and Kingsmen, Christlike has forged a sound all their own.

“The Crabb Family has been an integral part of our ministry,” said Weylin. “They not only have influenced us musically, but they have mentored us and gave us advice like we could have never expected.”

Jason Crabb stepped forward and was fundamental in getting the group started on their second album, Faith . A year later, Crabb came back to them and stepped it up even more. Warning Signs was birthed out of that recording session.

“Jason came to us and said, ‘You know guys, we've got to take this thing even further and make it even better', and we did just that,” said Weylin. “We were so incredibly blessed by that whole process. Gerald Crabb gave us six songs to record, and Aaron Crabb gave us one of his along with others that we had written. Their support is just overwhelming.”

Christlike began to get the attention of industry professionals, and soon they were talking with different labels.

“We met with a few people, and the things they wanted us to do, like open for Country acts and be where the money was at, were not a part of us, and we just were not feeling that kind of image and lifestyle,” said Weylin. “We finally sat down with Les Butler of Family Music Group, and the first thing he asked us was ‘so tell me about your services and ministry.' It immediately clicked with us and we signed with Family Music Group shortly after that meeting.”

This past year has been one of the most exciting for Christlike.

“Ministry is always the most important thing with us, but the accomplishments brought about by hard work and God's guidance are wonderful,” recalled Weylin. “God placed many people in our path that we have grown to love and appreciate.  Not in any particular order of importance, we will begin with completion of the Journey project on Family Music Group and Les Butler, which we had begun over a year ago.” 

“It seemed that many obstacles arose to hinder this album from completion.  However, through God's precious people praying and supporting us, it was finished earlier in 2004,” responded Bohannan.  “We are so happy with how it turned out - the Lord gave us some wonderful songs that are touching folk's lives.”  

“2004 also brought us into the family of Southern Spin Entertainment, and what a blessing they have been in our lives,” said Weylin. “We also sang at so many great places this year, including the National Quartet Convention and SouthernGospelNews.com Convention. Later on in the week of NQC, we were invited by The Gospel Greats' Paul Heil to do an artist spotlight segment.  Being a longtime fan of Mr. Heil, this was not only a highlight for 2004 but an awesome event our lives!”

Journey has seen much success in the industry. Their current single, “Here I Am Again”, is already seeing a great response from fans and DJs alike.

“Our new single ‘Here I Am Again' is doing great - radio is really embracing the message behind it.  The song is very personal to me, and we are finding out it's very personal to alot of folks across the land,” mentioned Weylin. “Driving back and forth from a class I was taking out of town, the Lord would give me a line of the song, and I would write it down. Then, I would just cry and feel his presence with me right in the car.  I wasn't sure if this was something the Lord just wanted me to experience alone, or if I should share it with others.  Traveling with the guys one weekend, I felt impressed to share it with them. I sang part of the song and the presence of God was there again at that moment. Daniel felt God inspiring more to the song through him.  When we were through writing this wonderful song, we knew without a doubt that Jonathon should deliver this message as only he could.  We have been singing this song now for a few months, and no one could have imagined the impact it has had.”

Below is a testimony about “Here I Am Again”- --- ---

Hi my name is Alicia and I have come to a few of your concerts in van buren arkansas , fort smith and roland oklahoma .  I have to tell you that you guys really bless my heart when I hear you sing.  So I will come to all the concerts that I can in my surrounding area.  There is one song that stands above all the rest to me.  It is "Here I Am Again"  The words are just like my life story.  I am a single mother of a 4 year old little girl and it just seems like I make mistake after mistake.  And it always seems I have to get down on my knees time after time to say it is me again Lord.  I thank GOD that he welcomes us back with loving arms no matter what sin we may have done he loves us no matter what.  And I can not thank him enough for all the things he has blessed me and his love and most of all his salvation.  I just wanted to tell you that that particular song just really touched my heart and I cannot help but cry everytime that I hear it.  My daughter loves to listen to your cd as well.  Everyday after school she will come home and turn on your cd.  She can even sing along with some of the songs.  She also likes "Here I Am Again".  I snuck into the room one time when she had that particular song on and She was standing on my bed with her arm raised in the arm and she was crying.  That just really touched my heart.  I figured it might touch yours as well since she loves your music.  Thank you for songs that you sing and most of all for following GOD"s will.  May he bless you even more in the new year.
Love
Alicia Vann

When asked about the future of Christlike, Weylin seems very confident in his answer.

“ I think your going to see that Christlike is a group of lifers!  We've endured some hard times, and we've been on some mountain tops,” said Weylin. “We have a message to spread, and as long as the spririt of God is in our services and concerts, we'll be loading up that bus every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, heading out on the road.”

The members of Christlike have come a long way since their humble beginnings, but it is easy to see where they are going and what their focus is. In an industry that is full of getting ahead and being popular, it is refreshing to find a group that is all about ministry and encouragement.

Be sure and make plans now to see Christlike perform at the 6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival on Friday, July 29, 2005.

** Christlike started their year off great with a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in the 2005 SGN Music Awards!

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