Mark Hall, YLO and some free stuff

We often joke that Mark Hall is “our most famous YLO member.” As the lead singer of Casting Crowns, he’s definitely one of the most recognizable faces in Christian music.

But Mark’s also a youth pastor. Not was. Is. Not just when he’s in town and can drop in, but full-time. The band schedules their shows so that Mark and the rest of the band can be home Sunday through Wednesday night to lead, disciple and hang out with kids.

A heart for student ministry. That’s what we love about Mark. That singing thing he does sometimes … that’s kinda cool too.

Casting Crowns’ new album “The Well” is featured in the latest Youth Leaders Only, and Mark talked with our own Allan Hardin about what his youth ministry looks like (hint: it’s a lot like yours). You can read that conversation here.

Watch this video as Mark shares about the song “Already There” and what its message means to him in his own life

• Download the chord chart for “Already There” from Casting Crowns
• Get our exclusive set of Discussion Starters for all 12 songs on Casting Crowns’

Here’s what Mark says about why he’s a long-time member of Youth Leaders Only

We know how important music is in a teenager’s life. Their music’s either urging them toward the life they’re trying to live or it’s dragging them back toward the life they’re trying to leave.

So my conviction is, if a youth leader can show students that Christian music has totally caught up culturally, and encourage students to give their music to God and to let Christian music be what they go to for their entertainment as well as for their growth, it will change everything about them.

It’s hard to do that if you don’t have all different styles of music available, which most of us don’t. To me, YLO has been a great resource to find out what Christian music is out there that I might not find on my own. And, with YLO, I get to hear the heart of the band and what they’re about. YLO has definitely been a great tool for us.