Skillet frontman John Cooper believes God is working in the mainstream rock music industry, as prominent musicians convert to Christianity and openly share their faith, he told ChurchLeaders.
Cooper discussed how the divide between rock culture and Christian faith is shrinking. He pointed to recent examples of established musicians speaking publicly about Jesus, regardless of whether their personal lifestyles align with traditional Christian values.
“I also am a big supporter of there should be Christians in the rock world,” Cooper said. “Whether you’re singing explicitly or implicitly about Jesus, that should be a thing. And we’ve been hammering away. And that divide is be it’s becoming very narrow. It is becoming very narrow.”
Cooper shared news of a recent conversion among well-known musicians. “I just found out another iconic musician became a Christian yesterday. I don’t know if we were allowed to say it or not, so I won’t say his name, but I was lit up yesterday.”
He highlighted the shift happening across the rock scene. “You ask any of the bands, I was like, ‘You guys like what’s the world going to do when all of these icons are all becoming Christians and are not ashamed of the gospel, right?’ And they’re all at their show just saying, ‘Hey, man. Man, I give a shout out to Jesus.’ Did you see the Suicide Boys on Instagram? This guy is just laying down Jesus talk. And then he’s like, ‘Hey, if you don’t believe in any of this S,’ he’s like, ‘That’s okay. I used to not believe in this S either. I’m telling you, Jesus is real.’ So, it looks different.”
Cooper acknowledged the nuances in how faith is being expressed in rock music. “And you know, of course, as Christians, we’re all we’re all going like, ‘That’s awesome.’ And I love to see it. And of course it’d be great if it progresses in a way that that language begins to change and this that and the other, but let’s don’t discount the real work of God that is happening.”
Cooper’s remarks reflect his view that mainstream rock musicians are increasingly open about their Christian faith.
Cooper’s own faith has been central to his life and career. He came to know Jesus at five years old through his mother’s guidance, and when she died of cancer during his teenage years, his faith deepened as he found Jesus to be someone who would never leave him. Over the years, especially after 2014, Cooper felt God calling him to defend the faith and stand up for Christian morality in his music.
Skillet has been a trailblazer in bringing Christian faith to mainstream rock audiences. The band became the first Christian music act to top the Mainstream Rock Songs chart, and after nearly 30 years in the industry, they remain one of the most successful Christian music groups working today. As of 2024, Skillet was the fourth most-streamed Christian artist, with over 22 million units sold worldwide and more than 24 billion global streams.
The band’s commitment to independent faith-based music strengthened in 2024 when they released their twelfth studio album, Revolution, through their own label Hear It Loud Records. This marked their first album released independently after 20 years with Atlantic Records. The decision to go independent gave Skillet creative freedom to explore heavier, prog-influenced material that reflects their artistic vision.
Cooper’s message about rock musicians embracing Christianity aligns with Skillet’s own 30-year mission to combine faith and mainstream rock music. As the band approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, they continue to demonstrate that Christian conviction and rock authenticity can coexist in the music industry.
