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What have been some of the most meaningful highlights over the years?

Schlitt I think the tour with Josh McDowell was our peak, which covered the last part of On Fire, all of the first Petra Praise and part of Beyond Belief. That tour lasted forever [1988-90] because people kept hearing and wanting more. It was very anointed and we saw aisles packed full of people coming forward [for salvation]. As a Christian artist, to be able to join forces with Josh McDowell was a very unique, total honor.

What about your most prized awards and achievements?

Schlitt I think our Beyond Belief year [1990] when we one a Grammy and four out of five Doves. Everybody asks, "Is that really important to you?" Absolutely, especially because the Grammy opened up more doors for us than you could ever believe, like talking on secular stations. We went on CNN as experts for Christian music, and it was really neat to be able to represent the genre like that.

With all you've done and with all your fans, why is Petra calling it a day?

Hartman The easiest answer is we feel like it's time. The people we had the greatest effect on are now pastors, youth pastors, workers, and missionaries. We feel like the class "graduated."

Schlitt The generation in control today has their own bands, and for us to try and compete with that music style, I don't think it would be natural. I just don't think it's us. We had our place, and praise God for it. It's been very exciting. Two or three generations have been touched!

Speaking of the current generation, what advice do you have to the new crop of rockers who are picking up where you left off?

Schlitt We've had a chance to play with a lot of new bands. They've got great attitudes, good Christian walks and that desire to go forward. When I meet bands like that, I say "Guys, you've been chosen to be the leaders of your generation. Now you have two directions you could go—you can either have the guts to go for it and be that leading example of Christ, or you could wimp out and go the easy way and get gobbled up in the meantime. But God's given you a chance to go forward and be a leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Go for it, do it, be excited and don't be afraid."

I want to encourage them because they don't get encouraged through the world. The world's constantly saying "compromise," but my gosh, we should be the leaders and the world should be following us! Why do you want to follow your way right into the pit?

Petra bids their loving fans a fond Farewell at the end of their aptly titled concert recording.

Now that you're on a farewell tour, how are fans reacting to your set list?

Schlitt So far they've been saying it's been one of our finest set lists where we've covered everything. We're doing lots of hits, some praise and some medleys. There's a rock medley and an acoustic medley, and we like to play off each other a lot. We're wanting to say "thank you" from a bunch of friends, and hopefully we can do that.

So will there be one final concert to say "farewell" for the final time?

Schlitt There are so many things happening right now, we don't know. Every day our management says, "What do you think about this idea? Somebody called and wants this or that." We'll say, "Cool, but make sure it's the right thing."

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