Although the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix isn’t labeled as Christian, it’s known for its Christmas music and moving renditions of beloved hymns. Two Pentatonix vocalists are outspoken about their faith—as well as their efforts to infiltrate culture and show people the gospel’s relevance.
At this week’s premiere of the live-action film “Journey to Bethlehem,” Pentatonix members Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee talked with The Christian Post about their strategies for sharing Jesus. Olusola pointed to the Old Testament hero Daniel, who “goes into the culture, and he gets to infiltrate, but he also gets to stay true to the one true God.”
By being “a light in culture,” Olusola added, the singers can “show people how beautiful and joyous and cool the Gospel is”—and how “relatable” it is to people’s lives and challenges.
Pentatonix Member Kevin Olusola Stays ‘Aligned to Christ’
Since forming in 2011, Pentatonix (or PTX) has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. Currently on a Christmas tour, the group is also on the lineup for this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The group’s wide reach allows its music to help people “feel Jesus through us,” said Kevin Olusola, an original member of Pentatonix and cohost of the Imagine Faith Talk podcast. “The lyrics, the hope, the message, the spirituality that’s in the songs, it resonates and hits the heart in a way that sometimes another medium can’t,” he told The Christian Post.
“Music was created by the Creator,” added Olusola, 35. “So when you align to the Creator and how he’s purposely using it, then you get the true strength of what it’s called to be.” His ongoing goal, he said, is to remain “aligned to Christ,” rather than seeking “my own selfish means.”
In 2021, Olusola told The Christian Post, “Faith is the reason I’m in Pentatonix.” In college, he was studying to be a doctor—until God called him to pursue music. From then on, said Olusola, “God set up this whole miraculous journey for me to be where I am today.”
‘God Uses Us,’ Says Pentatonix Singer Matt Sallee
Fellow Pentatonix member Matt Sallee, 29, joined the group in 2017. At the “Journey to Bethlehem” red-carpet event this week, he talked to The Christian Post about shining God’s light in a culture that can be dark.
“It’s all about trusting the Holy Spirit…and yourself just to know that God’s called you in your purpose,” Sallee said. “We talk about this all the time. Walk in your purpose, walk in what God has called you to do…lean on iron sharpening iron, lean on brothers and sisters, and really trust in God because his record is perfect. He’s been so good in my life.”
