Robert Peterson and The Crusade have released their new single Sometime to Christian media outlets, delivering a compelling Christian rock track that blends melodic hooks with a sobering spiritual message about choice, timing, and eternity. The song appears on the band's recently released debut album Change Coming On, which arrived February 6, 2026.
Led by guitarist, songwriter, and producer Robert Peterson, Robert Peterson and The Crusade is an emerging American rock group originally formed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and now based in Joplin, Missouri. The project represents more than a traditional band. It is the realization of a long-held vision, built around music that carries truth beneath its surface, designed to reach listeners wherever they are. By day, Peterson applied his Master of Science degree as a biologist for a federal agency. By night, he channeled that discipline and curiosity into his songwriting-the results of which are meaningful, melodic, and spiritually grounded. His material came together in the studio at Tangerine Recordings in St. Paul, where the band's sound took shape through strong vocal harmonies, memorable guitar lines, and lyrics that invite reflection rather than demand it.
Q: Your new single "Sometime" has already made a strong debut at No. 2 on the Christian Radio Chart, just behind Petra's new song "Filthy Lucre." What does this early response mean to you personally, and what do you hope listeners take away when they hear the message of "Sometime"?
My brother Dave and I listened to Petra songs as boys and tried to emulate them. They were the harbingers of Christian Rock and paved the way for many of us. To find us today, challenging them for a top spot on the Christian Radio Chart is thrilling, exciting, and quite surreal.
Personally, I am indebted to Petra. In my opinion, the timing of the release of their new album is downright perfect. They are drawing a lot of positive attention on to what had become a somewhat dormant Christian Rock genre and scene. By virtue of their presence on the charts and impact across social media, they are reinforcing my concept to reigniting rock and roll... real players using real instruments, with good lyrics and good intentions.
We've heard many positive responses to 'Sometime' from a plethora of reviews. It topped the LTTM Top 10 Chart and is currently #7 on the Path Radio Chart in Toronto, Canada. It has been featured on internet radio in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sydney, London, Ontario and many other locations internationally. It is also now on rotation on the biggest Christian Rock radio station in the U.S., ChristianRock.Net.
By design, I write the songs largely using spiritual metaphors hoping they will reach a listener in need who might not otherwise be necessarily tuned in to a CCM type radio station. I hope they take away positive vibes of hope from having heard our songs - just when they needed them. Ultimately, it is my hope the listener becomes inquisitive as to each song's message and seeks to discover their deeper meanings - drawing them into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Q: The lyrics of "Sometime" wrestle with the idea of delaying spiritual decisions. What inspired you to write a song that addresses the human tendency to postpone responding to God's call?
Great question. I can speak to my own personal tendencies which were not necessarily to postpone my 'calling' but to begin to allow the Lord to help me recognize my purpose and my calling. The Lord prepared me - over the course of my life - to finally come to a place where He could truly use me and the talents He has given me... I wish I had arrived in that place sooner than I did, but the Lord's timing is perfect.
One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 55:6 "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." The verse imparts the idea that the Lord may not always be found or near... to hesitate to call upon Him now or to wait too long and find the door of opportunity had passed may leave a person regretting not seeking Him when they had the time to do so. The parable of the 10 virgins comes to mind to support this interpretation.
Q: You spent years working as a biologist for a federal agency while also writing and producing music. How did your scientific background shape the way you approach songwriting, creativity, and faith?
My Dad was a missionary to Mexico and over the majority of my life, I have never felt too far away from the Lord in my daily walk. I believed it was necessary for me to find a structured environment where I could dive in with both feet and feel a sense of accomplishment. The idea of working in the conservation field (wildlife biology mainly) was placed into my heart as a young boy. As I grew into adulthood, it became my tendency to jump from this job to that one, mostly out of boredom or lack of stimulation, as my Dad would say.
Being focused on earning my BS and subsequent MS in Biology degrees provided a solid and broad educational background and professional work setting which have been useful in numerous ways. The well-rounded education and experience paid off handsomely when I began writing the songs the Lord was inspiring me to write. With His help, I took on a tremendous task to be about His business. I approached the music business logically (dare I say scientifically) and with a tremendous amount of attention to detail.
Not surprisingly, my scientific-minded approach is evident in my writing, arranging, recording, playing, producing, performing, promoting, marketing, et al. While I cherish the field work I've been a part of in conservation and being out in God's natural world, the studio environment is my happy place. Although I operate on various constraints of time and tight budgets for recording, the mood is light and when the other fellas are required to be in the studio, they are free to be themselves to help me create my vision for Robert Peterson and The Crusade.
Q: Your debut album Change Coming On blends classic and modern rock influences while carrying a strong Christian message. What artists or musical influences helped shape the sound of Robert Peterson and The Crusade?
Yes, while I do write in a somewhat 'cloaked' fashion, my lyrics are definitely faith-based, meaningful, and positive. The musical influences are many. It is always fun for me, as an artist, to ask the listener what musical influences they hear when listening to my music. I think I'm up to about 30 different artists that folks have stated they hear when listening to my debut album. Rarely does the list include a Christian artist. Again, that is why I write the way I do - almost parable-like.
As the youngest of five siblings, I am lucky to have had my childhood musical influences come by way of my elder siblings, Ben, Suzy, Buffy, and Dave. As musicians themselves and through the wide variety of music they listened to and played, I became the beneficiary of those musical tastes and influences, also.
Two artists were especially influential in my personal musical background: Tom Scholz of the band Boston and Kerry Livgren of the band Kansas. Both artists write positive music which inspired me as early as 12 years old. Kerry is a master at lyric writing. He masked his Christian lyrics in spiritual metaphors while with Kansas and also during his solo projects. I had the epiphany one day recently that while I never try to sound like this band or that artist, I am finally achieving my longtime goal of writing in the style and vein that I do. I am grateful to the Lord for His inspiration. Truly, He is the mentor, and I am the student playing and singing a new song unto Him.
Q: The band was originally formed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is now based in Joplin, Missouri. How has that journey influenced the identity and mission of Robert Peterson and The Crusade as a band?
Allow me to clarify that the 'concept' of the band was formed in St. Paul, MN. I had begun correspondence with three of my musically talented nephews-Kalen, Tyler, and Benji-with the idea of forming the band. To provide them a good representation of the new music pouring out of me, I booked time in Tangerine Recordings (studio) in St. Paul. The results they liked, but the commitments involved with being in a band proved to be too much for all of us to manage. Benji Peterson, however, did record with me in the studio and played a vital role in helping me achieve my vision on some of my songs.
As circumstances began to change not only for each of them but for me, too (my federal term job ended), returning home to Missouri was the logical step. During this time, the idea of having a band that toured and played live became increasingly difficult to achieve lift off. It was then I became focused on being a recording artist. "The Crusade" began to take on a new shape... less of a band, like Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and more of an ideal and a faith-based mission. Most importantly, the mission is moving forward. I am happy to report as of this writing, I am in the initial stages of booking the first live, in-concert performance of Robert Peterson and The Crusade.
Q: For listeners who may be discovering your music for the first time through "Sometime," what would you like them to know about the heart and purpose behind Robert Peterson and The Crusade moving forward?
We are definitely moving forward. We appreciate folks 'discovering' our music and hope they can come to feel a part of "The Crusade." We are grateful to those who take an active role in sharing our message-Christ's message-with others... especially to those who are lost and/or are in need.
Hopefully, the heart and purpose of our band is self-evident... that is, sharing a positive message of hope with others through the familiar medium of music.
Watch the music video:
Connect with Robert Peterson and The Crusade:
https://robertpetersonandthecrusade.com/
https://www.facebook.com/robertpetersonandthecrusade
https://www.instagram.com/robertpeterson_thecrusade
https://www.youtube.com/@RobertPetersonandTheCrusade
https://www.tiktok.com/@peterson_crusade
