For more than four decades, Petra has been one of the defining voices of Christian rock, and for many of us John Schlitt’s voice has been part of the soundtrack of our lives. Twenty years after their last album of new music, Petra is back with HOPE, a ten-song record written by Bob Hartman and produced by the band itself.
I sat down (virtually) with John from his home office in Franklin, Tennessee, surrounded by a lifetime of collectibles. We talked about what finally convinced Petra to make another record, why every note on HOPE was played by the band, the urgency behind the lead single “Deliver Us,” and the Bible lesson tucked inside “Filthy Lucre.” John also opened up about Petra’s ministry today, being an outspoken Christian rock band, taking the future “one year at a time,” and the possibility of another album in Spanish.
Press play below to watch the full conversation.
Prefer to read? Here’s the full transcript
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.
John Schlitt: Hi, this is John Schlitt of Petra, and you’re watching Lots of Muzik.
Lots of Muzik: John, where are you right now?
John Schlitt: I’m actually in Franklin, Tennessee, at my home, in my office with all my collectibles. It’s sort of my domain.
Lots of Muzik: Very cool. It’s really an honor for me to be speaking with you. You’ve been a huge influence on my life, from all your years in Petra to your solo career. Actually, your first solo album is, I would say, the soundtrack of my life.
John Schlitt: Thank you. Wow, I’m honored. I really am. As Christian artists, I’ll tell you, in my heart, for God to give me a second chance to use the talents He’s given me, and to be able to use a music style I love to bring across a message that’s life-changing all over the world, has been an absolute honor and a blessing that I don’t deserve. It’s always a pleasure to talk to folks who have been affected, and to see that the effort has had a positive impact on your life. I’m very happy to hear it. Thank you.
Lots of Muzik: No, thank you. The big news is that Petra has a new album coming out soon. What can you tell us about it?
John Schlitt: Well, I’m pretty excited about it. It took forever to do. We decided to produce it ourselves, and I don’t know if that was a good idea or a bad one, because man, I sang these songs four million times. Instead of one boss, I had four. But it turned out really great.
I’m excited that it truly is a Christian album, very Christ-centered. It’s a rock album, but it has some unique songs and styles that are a little different, yet still absolutely identifiable as Petra. I think Petra fans will be very happy with it, and it might attract some new fans too. If you’re interested in a Christian message, you’re going to get a Petra record with this one.
Lots of Muzik: Awesome. What would you say was the catalyst? What was the conversation between you and Bob Hartman that said, “This is the time to do it”? Because it’s been forever.
John Schlitt: Twenty years. Well, it was a combination of things. When we did the 50th anniversary tour, which lasted almost three and a half years, we got the chance to talk to a lot of people. We did a lot of meet-and-greets, basically for us and for them to thank each other: “Thank you for being part of our lives,” and they were saying the same thing back to us. And everybody kept saying, “You’ve got to do another album.” And Bob would go, “No, no way.” I understood it, because that man has written how many songs over how many records? I didn’t see any way it was going to happen.
But then the record company came to us with some ideas about a movie and a documentary, and they needed a soundtrack for it. That really struck a note: through all of that, there must still be interest. It looked like God wanted to use us even now, after 20 years. I think it lit a little fire in Bob, and in all of us actually. We said, “You know what? Let’s do it. What’s the harm?” If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, but we tried our best.
Although it took a lot longer than I would have liked, it came out really good. It’ll be out January 1st, officially, and it’s called Hope. When it all came to fruition… hindsight’s 20/20, and after it was written you go, “Okay, God, I see what You’re doing.” It was a challenge, but it came together, and I’m very glad we carried it through.
Lots of Muzik: Awesome. The album title is Hope, as you mentioned, in a world that many, including your own press release, describe as growing darker. What does that word mean to you personally, right now in 2025?
John Schlitt: Hope is a word I don’t think we’ve used very often lately, because there’s a battle going on. But we’re forgetting that we have God, and you don’t beat God. If you’re on the team of Jesus Christ, you are going to win. I think that’s a hope we’ve sort of forgotten.
So when Bob mentioned it as a title, I said, “Oh buddy, that is exactly what it should be.” It rang true to us, and we were very excited about it. As you listen, you’ll see that it really goes along with the message of each of the songs. We need to encourage each other and realize that the enemy may be putting up a big battle, but where there are attacks, there’s much more of God’s army ready to face them.
I’m afraid we haven’t given God enough credit lately, and we’re giving the enemy too much credit. So I think Hope was a great word to start thinking in a positive way: “This is what Christ said. This is what God said. Let’s start learning what the Word says and go with that hope of ultimate victory.”
Lots of Muzik: You’re saying that many people listen too much to what the devil and evil have been saying to our generation and to yours. I was watching your documentary, Road to Redemption, the other day, and one thing that struck me hard was your in-laws saying to you, “Johnny boy, you’re a good boy, but you’re not good enough.” That’s what our generation has been hearing all this time, not only from in-laws or relatives, but from teachers, the education system, the economy: “You’re not good enough.” But I think there’s always hope when we raise our eyes to the Lord. And this message you’re bringing, the single you released a couple of months ago, “Deliver Us,” is exactly what we need. We need to reach out to Him to deliver us from what surrounds us, from what the system is telling us.
John Schlitt: Amen. I’m glad you saw the vision of that. We wrote that song, oh my gosh, seven months ago, and it is so relevant right now. I don’t know that it was originally going to be the first single, but after seeing everything going on, the message of that song was absolutely necessary, and we’re very excited it came out that way. We’re getting a lot of reaction. As you said, it’s relevant and it needs to be said. We need to pray for God to deliver us, pray that the bondages be broken. It’s good. Thank you.
Lots of Muzik: The new album features 10 original songs. What other themes are you and the band exploring on it?
John Schlitt: I think it wraps around victory, around the fact that Jesus Christ is the way. Basically, it’s what Petra has always been about: Christ is King. Our whole vision has been the Commission, telling the world about Christ through music. That has always been our major vision and our major goal, and this record follows it. With every song Petra has done, even if you don’t catch it at first, you realize, “Oh my gosh, this is pointing to Christ. This is a Christian way of living, a Christian philosophy.” This album absolutely is that.
It’s also a bit of a Bible-study kind of record, which you’d expect from Petra. There’s a song called “Filthy Lucre.” I didn’t even know what filthy lucre was until I sang the song. I asked Bob, “What is that?” and he said, “John, read the Word.” I went, “Oh, yeah, okay.” It’s that kind of thing. There are going to be kids and people who listen and go, “What is that?” They’ll get into the Word and say, “Wow, another Bible lesson.” And it’s a rocker. I thought it was going to be the first single because it’s a stomper, but it may be the second.
You asked me, and I can’t think of the other titles right now, but I know the direction is all toward Christ. An exciting Christ, not a doom-and-gloom Christ, but an exciting, victorious Christ. Amen. I think we Christians need to hear that more often.
Lots of Muzik: Amen, totally agree. Who else is playing on the album?
John Schlitt: The band. The band we have right now did all the playing and all the singing, and I’m very excited about that. No studio musicians, just the band: Bob, Johnny, Greg, Cristian and myself. To have a band of that quality, able to do all the parts and keep it up to a Petra standard, is pretty exciting.
Lots of Muzik: Were there any songs or ideas that didn’t make the cut?
John Schlitt: Oh, yeah. It wasn’t the ideas, it was just that some songs didn’t work. There were a couple that just didn’t work, and I don’t think you’ll ever hear them. You want to make sure it’s the quality you want to hear, the hook and the feel, the Petra quality. It’s always that way. Although with Bob, a lot of times he doesn’t waste music. If it doesn’t work, he rewrites it. If it still doesn’t work, he rewrites it again.
Lots of Muzik: He’ll find a way.
John Schlitt: Very well put. He’ll find a way. But this time we had a good number of songs, which surprised me, because like I said, we hadn’t written in 20 years, and all of a sudden we had an abundance of songs, which is good.
Lots of Muzik: Petra has always been a ministry for all of us. How do you see Petra’s ministry in 2025 compared to the ’80s and ’90s?
John Schlitt: If it’s changed at all, I think we’re even more committed than before, more committed to seeing what God has in store for each day we’re out there. I really think that with this record, especially at our age, the only reason to do it is if it’s a message that can help change lives. That’s the only reason. It’s not to make money, it’s not to be successful. It’s to be a tool that can be used for Christ. It would be nice to be successful, but that just means more people will hear it and it’ll be more useful to the world.
Petra’s ministry has always had that focus. But back then, when we were kids, it was competitive. You wanted to be successful, you wanted to take it to the next level, but always with the understanding that we were a Christian band.
Lots of Muzik: What do you hope longtime Petra fans, who have been waiting 20 years for a new album, get from Hope?
John Schlitt: I think they’ll be very pleased. It’ll be exactly what they expect from Petra.
Lots of Muzik: And what about the new generation, the new listeners?
John Schlitt: Hey, we’ve got a lot of new people who are actually very interested in what we do. If they like ’70s and ’80s rock with new sounds, which a lot of kids are diving into again, they’re going to be very satisfied with Petra.
Lots of Muzik: Awesome. Is it harder or more complicated to be an outspoken Christian rock band today than it was 30 years ago?
John Schlitt: No, it’s the same. In fact, it’s probably a little easier. Back then, getting picketed by one church in another church’s parking lot… you expected it, and it got old. Now, when someone asks me, “What do you think about the people who say you can’t be a rocker and a Christian?” I just say, “I don’t think about it at all. I’m doing this for Christ, not for them. Let them think what they want. We’ll all find out when we face the Creator.” I have total peace about it. If they don’t, too bad. That’s their problem, not mine.
Lots of Muzik: With the new album comes the question: will we see the band touring in support of Hope?
John Schlitt: Yes, we’re absolutely going to tour Hope next year. We’ll tour the album as long as we physically can and as long as there’s interest, and that’s up to God. Next year we’re already booked in about seven to ten locations around the world. None in the US yet; all overseas. South and Central America, maybe Germany, places like that. We haven’t even started thinking about touring the US, and if we don’t, that’s fine. Again, this record is meant to be a tool for whoever is interested.
And there are a lot of songs that aren’t heavy-duty rock. It’s a nice combination of push-and-rock songs and thoughtful, introspective ones, which has always been Petra’s formula. I think y’all are going to be very satisfied.
Lots of Muzik: Cool. I’m in Venezuela right now, and I hope you come at least closer. I know you were here some time ago and I wasn’t able to make it, but if you come around, I’ll try to go to one of the shows.
John Schlitt: I think we are, my friend. I think we are. In fact, I think we’re working on it. If the date hasn’t been finalized already, it’s very close. Of course we have to be there. We have a whole lot of friends there, and we never want to miss them.
Lots of Muzik: Awesome. Would you say this is a special reunion, or are you planning to stick together longer, as long as the Lord gives you strength?
John Schlitt: Good question. I’m going to take it a year at a time. Bob and I said, “Okay, let’s do it a year at a time.” Let’s see where God uses it. If the result is positive, if people like the album and our live shows, that will probably be an indication to stretch it to another year. We’ll see. Again, if we physically can do it. I mean, we’re all a bunch of old guys, come on! But if we can go out there like kids and satisfy the fans, we’ll do it as long as God allows.
Lots of Muzik: I won’t say a whole album, but maybe a song, not for Hope but for the next one: maybe another Spanish album or song. That would be amazing, because I know you have a huge fan base over here, and we’d be delighted. We’ve been rocking to Petra en Alabanza for many years, and it’s been awesome.
John Schlitt: You know, I would love to do that. I really loved doing that one, and Jekyll & Hyde too, although I was told my Spanish wasn’t as good as on the first one. I’ll try! I would love to do this record in Spanish. That would be fantastic.
Lots of Muzik: Jekyll & Hyde was a total rocker, as I would say, and I love it. John, as we close, what is the single most important message you’d like to share with my audience?
John Schlitt: Don’t let the world get you down. As Christians, we’ve got to understand that we’re on the winning team. God loves us. He has a plan for us, and in the end, we are victorious. When that end is, I don’t know. But as long as we face every day knowing we’re never walking alone, we can be victorious every day. So understand that Jesus Christ is Lord. He’s not dead. He’s very much alive and will be forever. So let’s walk strong and be the victors God wants us to be.
Lots of Muzik: Amen. Thank you so much for your time, John Schlitt. Thank you for sharing the news of the new record, for your testimony, and for what the band is doing and will do next year. Glory to God.
John Schlitt: Thank you, buddy. And remember, say hi to Cristian over there for me, will you? We’ve got a fantastic drummer that you guys allowed us to have.
Lots of Muzik: I will. Thank you very much, and have a good rest of your day.
John Schlitt: You too, my friend. Thank you for your interest.
Lots of Muzik: Okay. Bye-bye.
Petra – HOPE: Album Info
Tracklist:
- Filthy Lucre (3:17)
- Kiss the Coals (2:59)
- Oxygen (3:03)
- Skin in the Game (3:38)
- We Rejoice in Hope (3:27)
- Miracle Maker (3:37)
- There Will Still Be a Dawn (3:23)
- Thorns (3:49)
- Looking Back (4:05)
- Deliver Us (3:52)
Artist: Petra Album: Hope Label: Girder Music Released: January 5, 2026 (digital and streaming) · January 12, 2026 (CD) · March 2026 (vinyl, three collector’s color variants) Produced by: Petra Running time: approx. 35 minutes
Personnel
Petra
- John Schlitt: lead vocals
- Bob Hartman: guitars
- John Lawry: keyboards, lute (track 1)
- Greg Bailey: bass, cello, background vocals
- Cristian Borneo: drums
Additional musicians
- Eric Darken: percussion (track 3)
- Jenee Fleenor: violin (tracks 7, 9)
Production
- Produced by Petra
- Mixed by Nick Rad (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) and John Jaszcz (tracks 3, 7, 9)
- Mastered at The Foxboro
Singles
- “Deliver Us”: September 26, 2025 (No. 1 on the CR.net Christian Rock chart)
- “Filthy Lucre”: February 17, 2026
- “Kiss the Coals”: March 17, 2026
- “Skin in the Game”: May 5, 2026
