Marie Wise

Christian Band Help is a ministry of Marie Wise. Marie has been working in the Christian music ministry for over 30 years, in a variety of positions- musician, concert promoter, visual artist, band manager- you name it, she has probably done it. In addition to a variety of experience in music ministry, Marie holds a certificate in nonprofit business leadership and management from Michigan State University and the Society of Nonprofit Organizations. Marie's husband, Mark Wise, was the bass player for the modern rock band, Right Side Cast, and the southern gospel band, Wisemen. Mark has been a Christian musician for over 20 years. Currently he is also working as an author of supernatural fiction.

The Mission of Christian Band Help

Christian Band Help is an innovative ministry devoted to supporting Christian musicians. Our mission is to help musicians create and maintain extraordinary music ministries that bring people closer to Jesus. Our goal is to provide the information, wise counsel, and support Christian musicians need to achieve their full ministry potential.

The Opportunity

Christian music is an effective tool to bring people closer to Jesus. We have all heard a song and been instantly reminded of a past experience: who we were with, how we felt and what happened. Often that song lyric gets stuck in our head for hours if not days. The song reminds us of an experience that impacted our lives and changed us forever by helping to shape us into who we are today. The memory of that experience is so powerful that simply hearing the song again can change our present emotions. That is an example of the experience of art. Art bypasses the mind to directly connect the artist to the audience, heart to heart and spirit to spirit. The ministry of art occurs when Christians allow the Holy Spirit to work through their art to change people.

The Problem

In recent years technology has changed the way fans are exposed to music. More music is available across more platforms and in more places than ever before. We are listening to more music now than at any other time in history. But, for the most part, we do not expect to pay to hear it. We no longer buy whatever music is popular, instead we expect to hear specifically what we like and to connect personally with the musicians who create and perform the music.

Technology has caused the cost of creating music to drop but the income musicians receive from music sales has dropped even more extremely. The costs of performing live has increased (the price of gas for example) while the price we expect to pay to hear live music, especially Christian music, has dropped. Many venues and fests have closed, forcing musicians to play an increasing number of shows where they do not get paid at all. Recent years have sparked a trend towards requiring musicians to pay the venues for the privilege of performing. Most musicians take money from their own pockets to pay band expenses while struggling to find places to play. Christian musicians have the even greater challenge of striving to do excellent ministry in this already challenging environment.

Our Solution

Christian Band Help guides musicians toward extraordinary music ministries by providing information, wise counsel, and support.

* Information we currently offer in the form of paperbacks and e-books is The Christian Band Guidebook and The Christian Musicians Devotional. More free information is available at ChristianBandHelp.com.

* Wise counsel is given primarily by answering e-mail questions and in person as time and geography permits.

* Financial support is raised through crowdfunding projects and private donations.

* Prayer support for musicians is encouraged through both crowdfunding projects and book sales.