Submitted photo Grammy award-winning Christian rock band Petra will be performing in the Funkhouser Auditorium at Battlers Knob auditorium Thursday. The band has enjoyed a 53-year career that has produced 35 albums.

PHILIPPI — The iconic, Grammy-winning Christian rock band Petra is making an appearance in Barbour County next week.

The four-time Grammy winners will perform in the Funkhouser Auditorium at the Battlers Knob auditorium as part of their Reunion Tour on Thursday, Sept. 4.

The highly anticipated concert, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., will feature all five of the band’s original members, including Bob Hartman, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Greg Bailey and Cristian Borneo.

Doors for the show will open at 6 p.m., and the Haven Worship Band is set to be the opening act.

Petra’s 53-year music career began in 1972. The band has recorded 35 albums, including 22 studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, eight video albums, and two Spanish albums. 

Hit such as “The Coloring Song,” “More Power to Ya,” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” “Creed” and “Beyond Belief” have helped the group sell 20 million albums in its career.

Petra was the first-ever Christian band to be inducted into the Hard Rock Cafe. They are also inductees into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

The concert is being brought to Philippi by the Haven of Hope Worship Center, which was established in the spring of 1992 and is located at the old skating rink between Belington and Philippi.

Haven of Hope lead pastor Howard Swick said he is thrilled to be bringing such a big Christian rock band to Philippi.

“We are so excited to see such a huge opportunity for our area to experience a live performance by such musical giants,” Swick said. “It is so difficult to pick out a favorite song when this band has so many hits. My favorite would probably be ‘Beyond Belief,’ tied with ‘Grave Robber’ and second would be ‘Just Reach Out.'”

Petra has been nominated for a total of 13 Grammy awards and has also captured a total of 10 Dove awards.

The band is considered to be pioneers of modern Christian music and have been credited for paving the way for the Contemporary Christian Music industry.

Officials said that Haven of Hope Worship Center’s mission is to bring the community to Jesus Christ through contemporary cutting-edge praise and worship, the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the display of God’s love, grace and forgiveness, and through teaching of the Word of God (the Bible) in practical ways.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased online at iTickets or by calling 304-823-3428. Tickets can also be purchased at Hope’s Mission Store on Main Street in downtown Philippi.