David Crowder Band at Hoffman church

The David Crowder Band has that rare ability to attract audiences on both sides of the aisle: their Christian fan base, as well as those who simply enjoy their blend of rock, bluegrass and country.

On Friday, they bring their unique sound to the Northwest suburbs, to the 3,000-seat venue at Life Changers International Church in Hoffman Estates, where church officials expect them to draw a full house.

"They fall right in step with our worship band, which is a full band with guitars drums and singers," says Larry Chapel, outreach director. "But at these concerts, I'd say 90 percent of the people are not from our church, so in that way we're able to really expand our ministry."

Crowder formed the group in 1995 as a worship band for a church he started while studying at Baylor University. The band still calls University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, home, but increasingly they are making a name for themselves outside church sanctuaries.

At their gig last November at the House of Blues in Chicago, they played to a sold-out crowd, who energetically stood and danced to their music.

"They play to an all-over crowd," says promoter Jonathan Boucher of Sunshine Concerts in Chicago. "They're very versatile and are really on their game right now."

Band members are in the midst of a nationwide tour, promoting their latest CD, "Remedy," with songs that attempt to heal the wounded human condition, while inspiring listeners to rise up, look outward and move forward toward change.

According to Boucher, the album debuted at No. 4 on its release date, and had drawn sold-out crowds at stops on the tour.

Increasingly, Life Changers International Church, and its state-of-the-art venue, have drawn more high visibility bands, speakers, and even theater groups to its space.

Church members built the 3,000-seat sanctuary as part of its $30 million church campus in 2004.

After forming in 1993 in the gymnasium of an Elk Grove Village elementary school, and later meeting in Barrington, Pastor Gregory Dickow and his congregation built a church campus of their dreams, funded by proceeds from the Gregory Dickow Ministries, and designed with the community in mind.

They incorporated a 400-seat World Prayer Center, 1,000-seat multipurpose gymnasium, a leadership training center, and fully equipped radio and TV studio.

"It's a magnificent venue," Chapel adds, "and it's a rare opportunity for these kinds of groups to find a space like this."

If you go

What: David Crowder Band concert

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Live Changers International Church, 2500 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates

Cost: $25, $30

Call: (800) 965-9324