In religious terms, the Greek letter X, or chi (Χ), stands for Christ. It's the first letter of the Greek word "Christos" (Χριστός), meaning "Christ" or "anointed one". Early Christians used chi as a symbol for Christ and Christianity, which is why "Xmas" is a common abbreviation for Christmas. Christ The 'X' comes from the Greek letter , which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Ancient Greek: Χριστός, romanized: Khristós, lit. 'anointed, covered in oil'), which became Christ in English. Some people feel Xmas is a disrespectful abbreviation for Christmas, according to several websites, arguing that the X is intended to replace Christ with a secular symbol and that it removes Christ from Christmas. Whether you write Xmas or Christmas, the meaning is the same, according to Your Dictionary. With the above description, You just can't take Christ out of Christmas!
A Hopeful Message: Today, we stand at the foot of the cross, humbled by the sacrifice of our Savior. The weight of our sin was great—but God's grace was greater. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see." These timeless words echo the cry of every heart that has been touched by the mercy of Jesus Christ. Grace is not just a concept-it is a Person. And His name is Jesus. On this day, over two thousand years ago, Christ bore our sin and shame. “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). The cross wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. Through His death, we are offered life. Through His blood, we are made clean. And through His resurrection, we have hope eternal. Let this Good Friday remind us: Grace is still amazing. Jesus still saves. And no one is too lost to be found. May your heart be stirred, your faith strengthened, and your soul refreshed in the wonder of the cross.
Missionary X
Daniel Kennedy's story begins not in Missouri, but half a world away in Eket, Nigeria, where he spent the first decade of his life as the son of missionaries. Growing up in West Africa planted something deep in his soul—a burden for the mission of God that would shape the rest of his life.
Music entered the picture early. A first-grade guitar. Harmonica lessons from his dad. Piano encouragement from his mom. It didn't take long for Daniel to realize God had wired him for this. Music wasn't just a hobby—it was a calling he couldn't shake.
When the Kennedy family returned to the States, they bounced from Colorado Springs to Westcliff, Colorado, then to Herculaneum, Missouri, before finally settling in Hillsboro, where Daniel's parents helped launch Christian Outreach Church. Through high school, Daniel poured himself into music—marching band trumpet, jazz ensemble, chorale—and during those same years pioneered a band called Sons of Zadok with Mark Lopez. Music was already becoming more than just a passion.
Daniel went on to pursue a music degree at Southeast Missouri State University, where he played with a Christian group called Ecclesia. But college wasn't just about academics. It was there that everything changed. Daniel had a powerful encounter with the Lord that left no doubt: he was being called into music ministry aimed at reaching young people.
By the mid-1980s, he had formed a new band, started writing songs, and was hunting for the right musicians. There was just one problem—they didn't have a name.
Then came the dream.
One night, Daniel woke up with two words stuck in his head: Missionary X. It sounded cool, so he ran it by the band and they adopted it. But the real confirmation came when they met with Jeff Perry, the youth pastor at Grace World Outreach in St. Louis, to book a concert. Jeff's eyes lit up when he heard the name. "Did you know," Jeff said, "that the letter X—Chi in Greek—is the first letter of Christ's name? Early Christians used it as a sacred symbol for Jesus." Missionary X became "Missionaries for Christ".
The dream wasn't random. It was prophetic. The band had its name and its mission.
Daniel joined Victory Christian Fellowship, served on the worship team, and dove into ministry. Through various connections at Victory, he met Don Golterman, Rich Olson, and Russ Cheney. Together, they took Missionary X into the early 2000s and released the band's first CD, Take Me Away. The response was incredible—packed shows, a growing following, real momentum.
But life happens. Families grow. Responsibilities shift. The band made the difficult decision to step back so the guys could focus on raising their kids. Daniel didn't stop making music, though. He continued writing, performing solo concerts, and leading worship wherever God opened doors.
Over the years, Daniel served as worship leader at The Glory Barn for three years, then led worship at Timber Ridge Church in House Springs for another three. After stepping down to seek God's direction, he eventually returned to Christian Outreach Church in Hillsboro—the same church his parents helped start—where he served as the main worship leader and elder from 2008 to 2025.
Then, in 2023, the phone rang. It was Don. "Let's get the band back together."
Both Daniel and Don felt it immediately—God was calling them back into the mission. Missionary X was rising again.
By early 2024, they were gigging again. Rich Olson departed in 2025 to pursue other ministry opportunities, and the band wishes him all of God's blessings as he continues serving the Lord in new ways. But Missionary X hasn't slowed down. With fresh material Daniel has been writing and a second album currently in production, the band is ready to share their message with a new generation.
Today, Daniel continues leading worship at The Grace Center in Pevely, Missouri, while pouring his heart into Missionary X's mission: reaching people for Christ through powerful, authentic Christian rock music. From Nigeria to the Midwest, from the first guitar in first grade to stages across Missouri, Daniel Kennedy's life has been one long worship song—and he's not done singing yet.
Rhythm & Lead Guitar | Keys | Lead Vocals
DANIEL KENNEDY
My story begins with a church upbringing in my early years and although knowing of God’s/Christ’s existence, I was not walking a Christian walk. At the age of 25, I experienced a come to Jesus moment. I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me and tell me it was time to make a decision. The following words I felt were expressed to me, “I am done being patient with you and you need to surrender your life to me or I will turn my back on you.” I lived a life knowing God but denying His power and love He offered. I made the decision to follow Christ and turn from my evil ways. I started attending a few different churches until a friend asked me to attend a Christmas Eve Service where I was transformed. I found purpose and joy in my walk with God. Soon after my transformation, I had friends that told me, “It is just a phase and you will return to your old ways in no time.” These same friends first started watching me, then started confiding in me about problems and fears they were experiencing, and they would ask for prayer and suggestions about how to navigate through their situations. My heart’s desire now is to please God and play music. Surrendering to the call of the spirit has fulfilled this vision for me. To play meaningful music that is pleasing to my God is a dream come true.
Bass Guitar
DON GOLTERMAN
Brian was born and raised as the son of a church music minister and choir director, so music and ministry have been part of his life from the very beginning.
His musical journey began in the fifth grade, when he started playing percussion in his school band. He continued throughout high school and into college, developing his skills and expanding his musical abilities along the way. Over the years, Brian has also played trumpet, trombone, tuba, guitar, bass, and keyboards—but drums and percussion have remained his primary passion and focus.
Brian has served for 7½ years as a worship leader at a local church and has also spent considerable time serving in children's ministry. Whether leading worship, working with children, or performing with Missionary X, his greatest desire remains the same:
That everyone would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Brian has been married since 2010 and is the father of three children, who remain his chief focus in life. During the day, he works in HVAC; when the workday is over, he picks up the sticks and rocks out for Jesus with Missionary X.
Brian's heart is simple: serve Jesus, love his family, use the gifts God has given him, and help make the name of Jesus known.
Drums & Percussion
BRIAN DOWNS
JERRY GRIMES
Jerry Grimes serves as a Technical Associate and Production Designer with Missionary X, where he oversees live sound and lighting design. His work helps create an immersive environment where the music, message, and worship experience can take center stage.
Jerry brings technical expertise together with a genuine heart for ministry. From balancing every instrument and vocal to shaping the lighting and overall production, his goal is to eliminate technical distractions so audiences can focus on the music and, more importantly, the message behind it. Jerry doesn't see his role simply as a technical position—it is a vocation and ministry of service, helping create environments where people can authentically encounter God through music and storytelling.
A United States Marine Corps veteran, Jerry's journey in music and ministry began while volunteering at his church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he sang with an all-family quartet and played bass guitar. That experience sparked a lifelong love of music, leading him to continue playing guitar and sharing music with family and friends throughout the years.
Professionally, Jerry served as a paramedic for more than 30 years, dedicating much of his life to helping others. Today, he works as a construction administrator for a local engineering firm, bringing the same attention to detail and commitment to excellence to his professional work that he brings to Missionary X.
Away from the stage and production booth, Jerry enjoys fishing, watching movies, spending time with his family, and serving his local church in Festus, Missouri.
For Jerry, the technology is never the destination. It is the tool. The goal is to serve, remove distractions, and help create an atmosphere where the message of Jesus can be heard, experienced, and remembered.
Technical Associate & Production Designer
Jonathon Brutschy
Media & Production
Jonathon Brutschy has been a Christian since childhood, but his faith became deeply personal in his mid-20s as he began seriously seeking God for answers to life's deeper questions. He longed for a life that carried greater purpose than simply going through the motions—working, starting a family, and eventually passing away without making a meaningful impact. In seeking that purpose, Jonathon believes God placed a much greater vision in his heart: to help advance the Gospel through media.
Jonathon's connection with Missionary X began unexpectedly when he joined friends from his church to see the band perform. They had described Missionary X as a "unique band," and curiosity led him to attend. What he experienced that night immediately resonated with him, and he knew he wanted to become involved in helping produce the band and advance its media presence.
What stood out to Jonathon was that Missionary X wasn't simply another Christian band attempting to follow the mainstream sound. He recognized something distinctive in both the band's hard rock style and its ministry purpose. To Jonathon, the music reflects the powerful nature of Christ—the Lamb who gave Himself for us and the Lion who reigns in power and authority.
Through his work with Missionary X, Jonathon desires to use media, music, and visual storytelling as tools for advancing the Gospel. He believes the band's unique sound and message can reach beyond traditional Christian audiences, particularly those who may have developed a narrow or purely religious understanding of God.
His hope is that through Missionary X, people will encounter a different perspective of God's power, character, and presence, and ultimately be drawn toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.