On A Mission For Christ
On July 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois this movement kicked off with a bang with a sold out gathering. Unlike other concerts this was more of an awakening of the Body of Christ and a call to those who have wandered away from the faith or those who have never committed their lives to Christ.
I travelled to Pittsburgh to The First Niagara Pavillion along with my husband, brother and close friend Becky for the second night of the tour. Unaware of how many people would be attending the evening we arrived an hour before doors opened to a mass of people flocking to parking spots. I was not shocked by the number of people showing up considering the line up for the evening. However, it seemed many were overwhelmed by the waiting lines to get into the gates to the Pavillion. I don't believe the facility expected that many people to turn up to send praise up.
Unfortunately due to mile long lines to pass through check in we didn't get through in time to catch DJ Promote or Trip Lee who opened the night.
Lauren Daigle was on stage when we made our way to our seats. She was talking about how she was reflecting earlier that day on the goodness of God and how special it was to be a part of the evening.
Lauren Daigle was on stage when we made our way to our seats. She was talking about how she was reflecting earlier that day on the goodness of God and how special it was to be a part of the evening.
Nashville native Daigle poured her heart out on stage as we were able to catch her sing her K-love fan awards Worship Song of the Year, How Can It Be. Being a young woman in ministry her maturity shows in her personal statement on her website that lines up with the purpose for this tour. "My heart’s cry is that people feel empowered as a body of Christ. It’s just heavy on my heart for all of us to rise up in unity and recognize the goodness of God. My hope is that people are empowered by knowing who they belong to, knowing that they are the son or daughter of God, and in response to that being able to worship fully, worship with complete abandon.”
Between set changes Nick Hall came on stage to speak about the importance of gathering together to worship the one who came to set us free. He also shared information about the purpose behind the tour and how they are trying to call upon the Body of Christ to Unite as one and make an imprint on our Nation. While Passion commanded the stage I believe that is the moment I began to start wiping away tears. It wasn't because of my love for some of the songs they did, but the spirit in which it was delivered and the unity of the crowd. It's hard to put into words what happens at an event like this if you have never experienced it yourself. There is something so undeniably powerful about the spirit of God in an atmosphere of corporate worship.
You could see Crowder on the side lines when the first couple artists took stage and he was worshipping all the while. When he entered center stage something happened to him. The passion he carries behind that Duck Dynasty resemblance is hard to beat.
He empties everything that he is out in worship. With a strong bluegrass incorporation into his unique sound mixed with pop rock he is a breed all his own. I wasn't quite sure what the story was behind the stuffed white dog on stage with them but as far as performances are concerned he NAILED it from start to finish. You could hear people as they were leaving the event saying, "Man, Crowder killed it tonight!"
During another stage reset Shaun Groves shared of the importance as the Body of Christ to step up and help those in need. Compassion International is a huge organization that creates a pathway for others to make a spiritual impact in the lives of children all around the world who need a light to shine through the cracks in which they have fallen. On this tour alone the last time I checked over 4,000 children have been given the gift of hope through caring brothers and sisters in Christ.
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I feel extremely blessed to have been able to partake in this evening and have the opportunity to see Jesus Culture and Hillsong United. This tour was intricately woven together with amazing artists and worship bands and to have these two close out the evening of worship is like a Heavenly encounter that truly has to be experienced to grasp. For those who were there that night and for others that experienced the tour at other locations including the sold out shows in Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and Houston it is hard to put into words.
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What happens when the unity of worship combined with expectation births in the atmosphere is unexplainable. For many it created a new fire in their spirits or awakened callings. For others it opened the realm of the Holy Spirit so thick that the light knocking they felt on their hearts before caused that door to bust wide open.
The most memorable moment for me was when Nick Hall started speaking about blind Bartimaeus (Mark Chapter 10) and how he was calling out to Jesus and everyone was trying to make him think Jesus didn't care about him. Despite what others were saying to him he began to holler louder. Well, as the tour says we are louder together and each night as displayed in the pictures below from five different locations these lights represent thousands whose eyes were opened either for the first time or rededication to Christ. That moment took my breath away and was one of the most amazing spiritual things I have ever experienced personally. I cannot even fathom the celebrations that have been occurring in Heaven during this tour.
Each light represents souls won for
the Kingdom of Heaven!
The cross of Christ shining bright!
The cross of Christ shining bright!
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