Since he came on the national scene in 1990, there have been many titles associated with Ben Tankard, from the Quincy Jones of Gospel to the father of GospelJazz. Ben explains, "Technically, the music is the same. A Christian "C" note sounds the same as a non-Christian note, but as a minister, God releases His Spirit and power through me the music becomes a vehicle-of-salvation to carry God's love, healing and deliverance." As a modern day "David" and often referred to as "The Minstrel", Ben Tankard has a strong anointing to play under the unction of the Holy Spirit and has witnessed tumors melting, people being raised out of wheel chairs, deaf ears opened, and relationships mended in his concert-crusades. Tankard states, "signs and wonders must follow when a minstrel plays. We should expect debt cancellations and all other yokes to be destroyed and burdens lifted when our music is played". He has won 9 Stellar Awards, 34 Stellar, 8 Dove, 3 Grammy nominations and is the best selling GospelJazz instrumentalist in the world. Also a "hit-maker" producer, Ben discovered Yolanda Adams and has produced several top records on her as well as collaborations with Take-6, Fred Hammond, John P, Kee, among others. Tankard's 1997 hit song "Git Yo Praize On" with his ensemble, Tribe Of Benjamin, has become the most used phrase among praise teams. All this from a man who has never had one lesson! The Favor Of God... In 1998 one of his mentors, Dr. Creflo Dollar, laid hands on Ben and commanded him to "dare to be different" and avoid the "hireling spirit" in his ministry. Therefore he has a unique approach to concerts and tour life. "When I minister, I don't have a set contract fee. I give sponsors the raw travel costs to get to their city and then depend on faith for the increase. We generally are given a love seed. What they sow into Destiny Center Missions for sending us to them is between them and God, we put pressure on the Word-not people", proclaims Tankard. While this approach seems unconventional, Tankard finds it to be successful system. "When you obey God you gain favor which is far better than money. For a traveling minister this favor can show up in many ways such as free use of airplanes, tour buses, studio equipment being literally sown and lent unto you for His service, concerts being sponsored and underwritten by major corporations, T.V. and radio productions services being provided, the sky is the limit. God can make a way! The key is to concentrate on taking care of God's business and he will in return put people and materials in your hand to accomplish his plans, purpose and destiny for your life." Tankard's life has not always been a bed of roses and he has had his fair share of "turbulence" in life's flight. Raised very poor he spent many years dreaming about the "good life". Just when he thought it would happen for him in pro basketball an injury ended his career. Ben has also experienced divorce, deaths of both parents, lawsuits from bad contracts he should have never entered into, envy and other distractions but continues to press toward the mark of the higher calling in Christ Jesus and forgetting those things that are behind him. Ben takes full responsibility for his errors along the way and states, "we all have made bad decisions from time to time and have to face-the-music for our mistakes. However, the thing to remember is "if you can look-up you can get-up, if you can get-up you can get-dressed, and if you can get-dressed, you can get-going". God is faithful to forgive and restore. You have to become better not bitter. Walk in consistent obedience and things will stop happening to-you and start happening for-you. Spend more time with God in prayer and meditation." The Ministry.... Ben's accepted his call to the teaching ministry in 1998 after being anointed by Dr. Creflo Dollar. He has completed ministerial programs under Dr. Fred Price and Bro. Kenneth Hagen. He is officially ordained as a Word Of Faith International minister by Dr. Rick Layton. Ben can be seen at many annual faith meetings with Dr. Creflo Dollar, Bro. Kenneth Copeland, Dr. Fred Price, Dr. Leroy Thompson, and Dr. Ira Hilliard. The future for the Tankards look bright. In addition to annual concert crusades, recording, book writing, and serving as Pastors of Destiny Center, they host a ministry sponsored high-polished TV and Radio broadcast called "Tuned For Destiny" that fuses the Word of God and music ministry. Tankard says, "God's best for you is always ahead of you not behind you because the Word of God is full of promises that you can lay hold of everyday.