Pocket Full of Rocks

His college aptitude test was probably more on target than originally thought. Pocket Full of Rocks lead vocalist Michael Farren's results said that he was best suited to work as a circus manager. Minus the clowns, three rings and elephants, there are days that leading Pocket Full of Rocks might actually feel like one. Ultimately, however, it's a circus united and centered on bringing songs of worship to communities of believers who seek more from God.

In 1995, Farren and drummer David Rollins started Pocket Full of Rocks to lead worship at their local church. As time passed, the band branched out to colleges and churches in Texas and Arkansas. Later they began to crisscross the country, leading worship at multi-day youth conferences and retreats.

Comprised of Farren, his wife Alisa (vocals), Rollins, Jody Crump (bass), Ryan Riggins (electric guitar) and Kyle Lee (rhythm and acoustic guitars), Pocket Full of Rocks owes its name to a song from its early days. "We wrote a song called 'Pocket Full of Rocks,' played it in a youth meeting and became known as the 'Pocket Full of Rocks' band," Michael says.

Deeper meaning comes from the biblical story of David. Before he was ever a great king, David was simply a boy with a "pocket full of rocks," believing God would do something great using any of the small things he himself could offer.

"Our desire is to create new expressions of worship that lead people to the heart of the Father," Michael says. "We want to be leaders in offering to the Lord whatever we have, to genuinely give our whole lives as an act of worship. Watching what He'll do with it is the most amazing part of it all."

"Watching what He'll do" becomes a key phrase to understanding Pocket Full of Rocks. Uniquely, this band exists in and for the spontaneity of its worship times. Leading worship without a set list, where songs might be written on the spot, is the norm for the group. "People ask us how we do the spontaneous thing," Michael says. "We have no idea really, but I think more than anything it's just being available."

Another important component is vulnerability. Pocket Full of Rocks sees the spontaneous songs as a continuation of prayer time-singing that vulnerable, unrehearsed time before God. "Imagine, being in front of 2,000 people, abandoning all form of rehearsal and making yourself vulnerable to God," Lee says. "In that time He hears you and reveals part of Himself to you. He sees your faithfulness, your willingness to abandon yourself and become vulnerable to Him, to share the deepest part of your heart. Then He immediately shows you a new part of Himself."

Adds Alisa, "It's like God hears the heart of the corporate worship and gives the people exactly what they need in that time of worship."

The band views its 10 years as an independent worship band similarly to its spontaneous worship sessions. "We're still learning this faith thing, because God is going to do His thing regardless of us," Michael says. "We think we're driving the ship, and we're just not. God is driving the ship, and who knows where we're going. We're just learning to enjoy the journey."

Learn more at www.pocketfullofrocks.com.

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