Bio

Dan Paulsen

Music, what a gift, I can remember loving it from a very early age. My sister Kelly (also in Crosspoint) and I would sing all the time in the back seat of the car. Whether the lyrics were right or not didn’t matter as we were concerned with hitting the right notes and singing in rhythm. Saturday mornings would come and that would usually bring a visit from grandma and grandpa. On occasion, grandpa would record us singing songs from bible school on cassette tape.

As a kid, singing in front of family was no big deal, but to sing in front of a crowd would have been horrifying. This was due to the fact that I was extremely shy. However, it was my parents who in some way forced me to overcome my shyness when they asked me to play an instrument. My first thought was “Oh no, what if I have to play by myself and what if I make mistakes.” But it was that fear that pushed me to be prepared at all times and eight years later I had developed a skill of playing the saxophone well, which also allowed me to develop the ability to identify harmonies and an understanding of music I would have never had if I never played an instrument. Besides full concert band performances, I also performed in small ensemble and individual performances. From there I went on to perform in a professional musical production where I played multiple saxophones at the age of 17.

During my college years is when I really discovered and fell in love with Christian music. I accepted the Lord in to my heart as my Savior at the age of 7, but it wasn’t until I was much older that I found Christian music. My earliest influences were Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Petra and Whiteheart. As I grew older, 4Him, Mark Schultz, FFH, Susan Ashton and Sierra became some of my favorites. Today, Mark Schultz is still one of my favorites along with Casting Crowns, Tenth Avenue North, Switchfoot, Chris Tomlin, and Michelle Tumes. But one of my all time favorites is Lincoln Brewster. The influence these artists have had on me is irreplaceable especially during my teens and early twenties.

In regards to singing myself, it wasn’t until my parent’s 25th wedding anniversary (at the age of 22) where I finally came “out of my shell” and mustered up the courage to sing a song in church. The song by 4Him “Built on Amazing Grace” was dedicated to them, thanking them for being such faithful servants to the Lord and for being such wonderful parents that shared and lived their faith who displayed self-sacrifice for the preservation of our family. For this I am forever grateful to you both.

Since that time (1993), I have served with my sister and our dear friend Natalie on our church worship team. Besides serving on the worship team Kelly and I serve in Awana club where we lead the children in worship music. We have been a part of our church for over 30 years and enjoy serving in many other ministries.

It was at our church where we first met Mark. He was hired to be our church worship director. During Mark’s tenure, our worship team was asked to perform at the Midwest Baptist Conference Dinner where we had the opportunity to lead worship for eight hundred people. A couple of years later, we were asked to come back and lead worship at another MBC dinner. Since his time at our church, my family and I consider Mark and his family to be some of our best friends and I am blessed to be serving with him and many others in the Blacksmith Project. It is a privilege to serve in this project, as it is my goal to use my God given talent for His glory only. To use it any other way is a waste of time. “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:21.

When I decided to sing for the first time in a public setting it came from a ton of encouragement from my wife. At the time we were dating, and when I considered singing, it was her confidence in me that pushed me to do it. Today, Michelle and I are enjoying raising our 3 daughters Lauren 10, Lindsay 7, and Leah 15mos. The highlight of each day is watching them grow and helping guide them to be women of the Lord with the help of my best friend Michelle. Michelle and I met when we were in college. We got engaged while still being college students and during this time we were blessed to be able to build our home. That’s right we built ourselves, with the help of many family and friends. That’s when I knew she really loved me (ha, ha) as she roughed the elements and helped pound nails on the exterior of our house. Thirteen years later we still live in that house and Michelle stays home and is raising our girls as I work with my father in our family construction business.

Dad started the business with grandpa the year I was born and when I turned 13, I worked with him and the guys during the summer. Once in college I joined him in a more full time roll and eight years ago I became his partner. Again, I have been blessed to work with a Godly example in a secular world and am appreciative of what I get to do for a living and with who I get to do it with.

My interests include sports (baseball and football), cars (still have the Camaro I dated my wife with), music (of course) and time with my family (favorite of all the above). Unfortunately, I am a diehard Cubs fan but do enjoy going to a game a couple times a year. My car is a fun hobby that my daughters are finding enjoyment from and my oldest is already planning on having a Mustang someday. As I stated earlier music has always been an important part of who I am. Daddy/daughter dates are something I always look forward to and dates with my wife are the best when we get the chance to be together and when we do anything as a family life is good.

As I move forward on this new journey, I look forward first and foremost to serving my God to the best of my ability and hope to use this as another tool to show my girls my dedication to what is most important to me. My goal in life is leaving a legacy for my daughters that reflects my faith. Because if I don’t who will? Nothing else matters.

Natalie Hartman

Though singing professionally is her lifelong dream, Natalie is a certified elementary school teacher who currently works part time for her family’s furniture business. She lives in Northern Illinois with her husband, Jay, and her children, Madison (8) and Micah (3).

Natalie’s desire to pursue a career in Christian music is what brought her to the Blacksmith Project. She caught “the bug” in high school where she performed in The Pajama Game, Carousel and Annie. Having sung on her church’s worship team for over 15 years, she has been able to develop her voice and build lasting friendships. She and Kelly were college roommates at Northern Illinois University and are now raising their families together.

Each summer, Natalie brings the joy of music to kids in Vacation Bible School. She has also performed for various events and weddings. Most recently, she was chosen to compete before an audience of 1000 in a finale for the American Idol Experience in Orlando, Florida.

She, Kelly and Dan currently lead worship at Crosspoint Church in Ingleside, Illinois. Their love for Christian music and for performing prompted them to form their own group. Over time, their styles have merged to create a unique sound. They consider it a privilege to serve the Lord through music and hope they inspire others to worship Him.

Kelly Johnson

It was my senior year in high school.  As I stood with my fellow musicians in the stands during a Skyhawk basketball game, my band director gave me a note on the keyboard and the gymnasium fell quiet.  I whispered a silent prayer to the Lord and began my first public solo-the national anthem.  Adrenaline racing, I sang with surprising confidence (no doubt from the Lord) and managed to successfully complete the song I had for months worried I would flub up.  As the crowd clapped, I sat down in the stands with week knees but something within me stirred with excitement.  I had overcome the fear of trying something new and failing.  I persevered and it felt really good! Little did I know that this small milestone, would lead to many more singing opportunities.

I have always loved music.  My family still chuckles when we talk about my childhood.  I would get caught dancing and singing at the top of my lungs in the bathroom mirror or making up words to songs that I thought I knew! I put my trust in the Lord around age 10. I come from a loving christian home where God’s word was not just taught, but modeled.  We do not have a history of musical talent, but my parents challenged both my only brother Dan and I to play instruments in school.  My older brother Dan, played the saxophone and I, always looking up to my big brother, couldn’t wait to follow in his footsteps so I chose to play the clarinet. We both played through our grade school years and high school.  Danny was a very good player so of course I felt compelled (through my own initiative) to strive toward the bar he had set through his accomplishments. We would play duets together and do little concerts in our living room for family, but never strived to play outside of our school events. Singing is something I don’t think either one of us ever thought about doing publically. I decided to step out of the box my senior year by trying out for the national anthem and a special musical/choral performance.  I braced myself for the rejection of not making it, but to my surprise I was chosen to do both!  Through these experiences the Lord opened the door to joining our church worship team of which I am still a member of today.  As the years go by the Lord has used music to minister to my soul in so many ways.  It is my prayer that I can be used as a vessel for Christ though the awesome gift of music.

It is through singing at church that I came to know my wonderful husband David.  Dave had been visiting our church with friends and saw me singing with my brother Dan.  A few weeks later he came back to our church to meet me and the rest is history!  I thank the Lord every day for His provision of such an amazing husband and father. To the Lord’s glory we have been married for eleven years and I pray the Lord will grant us many more. We have two beautiful children Andrew (7) and Rachel (4).

I am really excited and honored to be part of The Blacksmith Project. It is a blessing to be included with these incredibly talented people.  May God have all glory through this amazing endeavor.