Emily Schmidt and Andy Baumert of First Encounter Band join the Catholic Morning Show to talk about the Saint Pius X praise and worship band's roots and its upcoming performance at the Iowa Cubs' Faith and Family Day. The two musicians share how the group grew out of First Friday Adoration nights into a full contemporary worship band, and what fans can expect when First Encounter takes the concourse stage before first pitch on August 2. It's a conversation about turning musical gifts into ministry, and bringing faith into everyday spaces like a Triple-A ballpark.
Meet First Encounter Band Emily Schmidt and Andy Baumert of First Encounter Band join the show to talk about the contemporary praise and worship group that grew out of First Friday Adoration nights at Saint Pius X in the fall of 2014. The band — Emily Schmidt (keys, guitar, lead vocals), Andy Baumert (bass), Pete Hack, Brian Warner, Carol Stark, Ryan Bettany, and Sean Finn (drums) — has since played events across the Diocese of Des Moines, including opening for Matt Maher at a Night Fire event in West Des Moines.
Catch Them Live at Faith and Family Day
More on the Iowa Cubs' 2026 home schedule: Iowa Cubs schedule
Faith Outside the Church Walls Emily and Andy share how music ministry stretches their gifts beyond Sunday Mass and becomes a form of evangelization — bringing the joy of their faith to people who might never otherwise set foot inside a Catholic church.
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