There are not too many circumstances under which people from diverse backgrounds converge and volunteer their efforts for a project with eternal implications. This is exactly what happened, though, when an entrepreneur, a mortgage broker, a math teacher, and an engineer got together to write, sing, and play music.
Abel’s Offering was born of the praise team at the Glenview Evangelical Free Church in 2004. Don Chookaszian, Dan Chookaszian, and Steve Smith had been playing together since the mid-90s. With Dan’s burgeoning songbook, the time had arrived to record, and so Abel’s Offering was born and their first project, Lookin’ Straight Ahead was released in 2006.
When Ben Snyder joined the band late in 2006, the band’s sound and focus took a more piano-oriented direction. Ben began writing and Ben and Dan began collaborating. Soon, it became clear that the time had arrived to go back in the studio. With the additions of JP Chookaszian and Will Brown, the full band began the recording of Testimony on November 14, 2009, and the project was completed in the Spring of 2010.
Over the summer of 2010, Ben and his wife Lauren were called to ministry overseas, and the search began for a new band member.
Continuing in the direction that Abel’s Offering has taken musically, the band added Mark Breta as keyboardist and vocalist in November 2011.
Abel’s Offering has not forsaken its roots, as they continue to minister in their churches, including Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Willow Creek North Shore and The Orchard Evangelical Free Church.
Abel’s Offering is:
Dan Chookaszian, Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Mark Breta, Keyboards and Vocals
Don Chookaszian, Electric Guitars and Vocals
Steve Smith, Bass and Vocals
JP Chookaszian, Rhythm Guitar and Special Instruments
Will Brown, Drums and Percussion
5476 Views | 
2 
