John Cooper, frontman of the Christian rock band Skillet, is sharing a deeply personal story about faith, fear, and divine calling-one shaped by the loss of his mother and a moment that stayed with him for decades.
In a recent interview, Cooper reflected on the death of his mother, who passed away from cancer when he was just 15 years old. During her final days, she reportedly shared a troubling vision, warning her son that his music could one day "lead people to hell." While Cooper has since said he does not believe the vision itself was from God, the weight of her words left a lasting impression and forced him to wrestle deeply with questions of truth, fear-based faith, and spiritual purpose.
Raised in a strict Christian environment, Cooper explained that his mother's death marked a turning point in his spiritual journey. In the years that followed, he began reexamining what he had been taught, distinguishing between genuine biblical faith and teachings rooted primarily in fear. Through that process, he came to a renewed and unshakable conviction: Jesus is real, Scripture is true, and his life-and music-are meant to point people toward hope, not fear.
Rather than driving him away from faith, the experience clarified his calling. Cooper shared that Christian music played a formative role in his healing, helping him process grief, doubt, and pain. Those influences ultimately shaped his own songwriting, which has consistently addressed themes of suffering, perseverance, spiritual warfare, and redemption. He believes music can be a powerful tool in God's hands-one that reaches people in darkness with honesty and truth.
Cooper's testimony comes amid ongoing conversations about Christian artists navigating cultural criticism and misunderstanding. He has remained firm in his belief that artistic expression, when grounded in biblical truth, can glorify God and serve as a lifeline for those struggling with depression, loss, or spiritual confusion.
Today, Cooper says his faith is no longer driven by fear of judgment, but by confidence in God's grace and calling. What once felt like a warning has become, in his words, a reminder of the responsibility he carries-to use his voice, platform, and music to lead people not away from God, but toward Him.
His story stands as a powerful testimony: even painful words spoken in moments of fear can be redeemed by a faithful God who calls, clarifies, and restores.
