Some musical genres are identified by a repetitive beat and others by an overdose of guitars. According to singer/songwriter Geoff Moore, Christian contemporary music has a distinctive characteristic of its own.

“Christian music is the only genre of music I know that is identified by its lyrical content,” Moore said.

Moore and his band, The Distance (keyboardist Geoff Barkley, bassist Gary Mullett, drummer Chuck Connor and guitarist Joel McCreight), have been using the lyrical content in their songs to spread the word of God to young people since 1988.

Although the band’s goal in the past has been to attract a younger audience, the alternative style of the band’s latest CD, “Threads,” has been attracting a following from high school and college crowds.

As a co-producer of “Threads,” Moore had complete creative control to personalize the album.

“‘Threads’ is representative of who the band is as a group and who I am as a song writer,” Moore said. “I got to make music I liked, and I got to make it the way I liked it.”

After being a part of the Christian contemporary music scene for more than a decade, Moore wouldn’t trade it for the world.

However, it wasn’t until his college years, when his roommate introduced him to Christian rock ‘n’ roll, that he knew such an industry existed.

A few months after getting married and graduating from college, Moore felt called into the ministry. Obediently, he and his wife Jan packed a U-Haul truck and headed to Nashville.

“My father raised me to avoid regret,” Moore said. “I felt like it’s what God wanted me to do.”

When the couple reached Nashville, Moore got a job in retail, selling men’s clothing. Although Moore wasn’t necessarily ecstatic about his new job, he said he knew God had a reason for leading him to work there.

Not long after he started working, Michael W. Smith, a Christian contemporary singer, came into the store to buy clothes.

With the help of Smith and a few others, Moore signed his first record deal only six months after moving to Nashville.

“That taught me to trust God when He puts me in places I would never choose,” Moore said.

Throughout his musical career, Moore has won three Dove awards, seven Dove nominations and three Grammy nominations.

While the future is likely to bring more music awards and nominations to the 36-year-old artist, Moore prefers to keep his eyes focused on the prize that can only come from Christ.

Moore has sought to follow the example of Christ by trying to find more ways to witness to those who don’t yet know Christ.

The band provides free tickets to Christians who are willing to bring people who would not otherwise go to the show, Moore said.

Moore said his greatest desire is that his music will encourage the Christians who come to the concerts to witness to their friends who aren’t saved.

Small Town Poets and Out of Eden are traveling with Moore on his current 100-city tour. While all three of these groups have different musical styles, they all sing to worship God.

“When we were putting the tour together, I decided that I wanted diversity in music and unity in message,” Moore said. “I believe God can use just about any musical style.”

Geoff Moore and the Distance, Small Town Poets and Out of Eden will be performing in Des Moines at the First Federated Church, 4801 Franklin Ave., on March 20.

Tickets are $14.75 in advance, $12.75 for groups and $17.75 the day of the show.

Call (515) 255-2122 for ticket information.