Music has been a common passion for Mark and Jill Van Alstyne their entire lives. And, in recent years they found a place to share their zeal for music through ministry at a Helena church.

The Van Alstynes come from completely different backgrounds, literally, different sides of the tracks in South Dakota, attending opposing high schools. Jill got good grades, was a cheerleader and began playing the piano as the main accompaniment for the Lutheran church her family was attending at 14.

Mark was a bad boy who didn’t have much use for school, even though his father was a teacher. His family didn’t attend church.

“Music was the only thing similar,” Mark said about his and Jill’s backgrounds.

Mark began playing bass with bands in bars at 17.

It was the classic good-girl, bad-boy combination.

Jill learned to play in the typical structured format of notes and scales, while Mark on the other hand, plays entirely by ear to this day.

They met at a summer job where they worked as tour guides for a cave.

“I used to shine my flashlight on his cute face,” Jill said. “I used to make my tours coincide with his.”

Next month they will celebrate their 20th anniversary. They have two sons, Jay, 11, who sometimes plays electric bass with the band and Ted, 8, who hopes to be a drummer someday.

Mark works for the secretary of state’s office as a computer programmer, and Jill is an English teacher at Helena High School.

Mark credits Jill to his success in life.

The road traveled has been bumpy, Mark said, but “she took me down a good path.”

“I’m in a good place and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her,” he said.

Jill, in turn, gives Mark credit for the person she is today.

“He has helped me reduce anxiety,” she said. “I’m a recovering perfectionist.”

The couple said they are drawn to music that has a message. They began attending services at Plymouth Congregational Church on Oakes and Winne, they say, because they strongly believe in the message of their pastor.

The Rev. Vernon Wright, the church’s pastor, said the couple told him of their abilities to bring music to the congregation. After several weeks of Jill and Mark participating in the morning service they suggested adding a contemporary service later in the morning. Today, they plan and organize the music for the service.

“They have total autonomy over the planning of the music and help develop music in the congregation,” Wright said.

Jill and Mark have been good for the church, because since establishing the second contemporary service, attendance has been up, Wright said.

“They bring a vocational calling. This is a ministry for them, it’s something they feel called by God to do,” Wright said. “They are very skilled at what they do. They have a wealth of experience to provide, and I really enjoy working with them.”

The added service draws a crowd interested in receiving a message in a less traditional way.

“They make sure the musical theme will fit around whatever I’m preaching on,” Wright said.

“The congregational churches have always had a long historic tradition in the country and we are an open-minded and reason-friendly church,” Wright said. “We are mindful of our tradition, but open to the present generation and needs of the present generation.”

Jill and Mark take their music leadership very seriously.

“We put our heart and soul into it,” said Jill. “We believe you should start from a place of love and acceptance, and music is a great way to do this.”

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com