Make a Difference Tour

Review of the Make a Difference Tour

     With the New Year coming into play, it’s hard to look back over 2010 and point out one significant event that God truly moved through in our midst. In these days and times it is not unusual to witness God doing great things all around us. With certainty I am sure we could all testify about several awesome things we seen God do in the past year.

     One great experience I had in 2010 was when I was able to attend the Make A Difference Tour led by front man Max Lucado. When we think about what people will remember about us when we are gone, it motivates us to try and make a difference in another person’s life. It is very similar to the movie Pay it Forward. God gave us the love and sacrifice of His Son on the cross so that we could give love to someone else, releasing the knowledge of that sacrifice into their hearts through Christ.

     Mr. Lucado has committed to reaching the goal of 25,000 sponsored through the make a difference program. Through the success of tours and displays the number has reached 15,881 . The Make a Difference Tour has continued to impact the lives of those who have been helped. It opens a window of hope, a window of faith and a window of chance to those who otherwise may not live to see their next meal.


Toby Mac, Michael W. Smith and Third Day were a great selection for Max to choose to tour with in 2010. Jason Gray hopped on the wagon to join them during the last few appearances. There was a particular moment during the performance of Jesus Freak, where Toby Mac did a freeze frame and the special effects were off the hook!


  

   Michael W Smith filled the audience with tears as he pulled the heartstrings of those who had lost loved ones with his performance of Welcome Home. Third Day got the crowd involved in almost every song, including one off their recently released CD, Move titled Children of God. This song was accompanied by a video of many who have been helped through the Make a Difference Tour and through the continued outreach of World Vision.

     Speaking of Third Day's latest release Move, when I was blessed with the opportunity to interview Mac Powell, he mentioned many fans told him this was their "new favorite". Though I cannot single out a favorite album by Third Day, I have to say this one definitely fits perfectly in the CD player on a road trip!
     It is a great combination of songs that take you back to the southern rock sound molded together with the Spirit of God. Placing your feet on solid ground calling you to surrender all and trust Him to be with you no matter where you go and to never give up hope! Surrender, happens to be my favorite and one that I would stamp as being a “new favorite” to be requested for years to come. The first time I listened to the CD I had to go back and listen to that one over a few times. The band’s instruments and the vocals that Mac Powell delivers on this CD, clearly defines why so many have told them it is their new favorite album.

      Having the opportunity to interview the lead singer from Third Day, was the highlight of 2010 for me as a Christian. Not that I consider Mac Powell to be a celebrity because he is just another man gifted to worship and minister in music. However, for me many of their great classics ministered to me at some of the most trying times of my faith. Their ability to walk in the spirit of the gift that God has given them and touch the lives of so many on a daily basis is so inspirational to me. Having the heart of a worshipper myself makes it that much more of a blessing.

     Needless to say, behind the scenes there is word spreading that plans for another Make a Difference Tour are in the making for 2011. No one seems to know the line up yet for the artists that will be joining Mr. Lucado. However, one thing you can count on is God has an agenda for His people according to His master plan. I believe no matter who decides to step on board that tour, their music ministry and lives will be blessed because of their willingness to step out in faith for a great cause.
    
     Those who get involved in acts of charity through the worship and true calling of Christ sacrifice time with friends and family. If you were unable to attend the tour last year, do not miss out on the chance to be ministered to and entertained by the venue this year. If you were able to take part of the outreach last year, I don’t have to tell you what you will miss if you don’t go again this year!


     Do what you can today to demonstrate pure religion. With people making New Year Resolutions for 2011, I would urge you to make a resolution to change someone’s life this year. If you have not taken the opportunity to sponsor a child would you consider your ability to open your arms and bless someone who could use the hand of love this year? As a family maybe you could decide that will be your Resolution. Let your light shine in someone else’s life.

     James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world."

 Luke 6:38 "For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give--large or small--will be used to measure what is given back to you."

Interview With Mac Powell From Third Day

Third Day Makes You Want to Move

     For many of us Rock & Roll has been a great influence throughout our life times. For those thirty-forty something's we can remember sitting around with our friends listening to Lynard Skynard the Steve Miller Band or Guns "N" Roses. 

     No matter what generation you grew up in Rock & Roll played a part in your life at one point in time influencing your musical inclinations. When I found out it was Guns n Roses Appetite for Destruction that sparked the desire for Mac Powell to be in a rock band I found that kind of humorous and had to ask him about it.


Mac: "Yeah, actually we were talking about that the other day. You know I had not listened to much Rock & Roll for awhile and that summer my sister bought that album. I started listening to it while mowing the grass and that is when I knew I wanted to be in a band."

Me: "I thought that was kind of funny. I was going to say the next album you guys make you should call it Appetite for Salvation."

Mac: "Ha! Yeah you know it may have been last year or a few years back there was a tour that Switchfoot and Reliant K were on called Appetite for Construction."

     After meeting with guitarist Mark Lee, and former member Billy Wilkins the journey has moved them from being a wanna be rock band to the most well known Christian Band to ever travel through the radio waves to date. Tai Anderson and David Carr joined Mac, Mark and Billy in 1992 while they were working on their first album.

     

Today Mac, Mark, Tai and David are Moving several directions trying to share with others the importance of reaching out to those that are in need, those that are hurting and those that need a little hand from someone who has the ability to reach out and say, "You are not alone, God is waiting for you."

     Currently they have teamed up with Max Lucado, Toby Mac, Michael W Smith and the newly recruited tour member Jason Gray. I asked Mac how the tour was going and what the focus of the tour was on.

Mac: "World Vision is a huge part of this tour. Actually everyone has been great. This is the 25th year that Max Lucado has been publishing books and he did not want this anniversary celebration to be about him. We are on a mission to get as many young children in need sponsored as possible. It has been a great success so far, I am not sure what the numbers are at right now. However, the last time I checked we were around about 6,000 so far. Our goal is 25,000."

Me: "Wow, that is great! It is important for those who are financially able in the body of Christ to reach out to help others so that they may see the love and grace of God through His people."

Mac: "Absolutely!"

     So, if you have not been able to attend this tour and you are reading this you can be that one hand that could open a child's eyes up to God by visiting this website. You can move that mountain for someone! 

 CLICK HERE!

     Speaking of moving, for those who anticipate each new Third Day album that hits the musical streets, you will be pleased to know that Move became available Tuesday the 19th of October. I talked to Mac to get some insight on what to expect on the new album and he simply confirmed my excitement.

Mac: "Well, it is the first album we have had the opportunity to record in our New Studio which is only about twenty or thirty minutes away from where we all live. That makes it really nice cause we don't really have to travel to go there and whenever we need to rest or need time with our families it does not take long to go back and forth. We worked with Paul Moak on the album and he agreed with us to return back to our rock roots.

You know some of our earlier classic sounds, but hopefully it sounds better this time around. We had a great time working on this album and many of our listeners have already come up and said it is their "new favorite" Third Day record."

Me: "Wow, their "new favorite". I do not think I could narrow it down to "one favorite". You guys have so many great albums and songs. Two of my favorite songs from you guys are Thief and Show Me Your Glory.

Mac: "Yeah, Thief is one of those classics that I was talking about. We have always been able to play that and we pretty much get the same response from the crowd. It is a classic that everyone loves. Show Me Your Glory, is another great worship song that always goes well at shows also."




     Third Day continues to have numerous number one singles and have been nominated for a vast array of music awards. In 2009 they were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. I asked Mac how the group felt when they were honored with that recognition.

Mac:" You know it was just one of those amazing moments of our careers. You never really think about that kind of stuff. You know like it is even possible. Then it happens. It is really amazing to be recognized like that especially from your home state."

Me "So, are you all involved in your local churches in any ministry inside of them?"

Pastor Max Lucado

Mac: "Yeah, we all live in Georgia but we all go to different churches. We do travel a lot, but I do stay in touch with our Pastor and still have conversations with many of our church family also. I go when we are home. We have church on the road all the time. Max Lucado has been great on this tour, we have Bible studies and prayer time. Nigel James is our regular road Pastor who is from Europe. He has been great with us. You know he is just real. There are so many Pastors out there that are really legalistic about everything and he just is not like that. He just holds us accountable to that time of dedication to prayer and study, and he is always there just for us to talk to about things."


     Since I first began listening to Third Day in 1998 I knew lyrically they were passionate about encouraging others to grow closer in their relationship with Christ and if they did not know Christ to begin to pursue that relationship with Him. Today I see Third Day as so much more than motivators, they are doers as well. Not only do they support causes like World Vision, Habitat For Humanity,  The One Campaign and the Land Of A Thousand Hills Coffee,   they also reach further than that.

Me: "So, I seen where you and your wife Amy adopted a little boy how is that working out?"

Mac: "Oh, yeah it's great! He is great! We actually just adopted another little girl as well on January 5. Everyone is great with each other. We have Scout, Cash, Camie Love and now our two adopted children, Emmanuel and Bertie Claire."

Me: "That is awesome! I am so happy for you guys."

Mac: "Thanks we love it!"

     Third Day has lit a candle and God keeps raising the flame. They are a hope, shining in a world today that needs to see the light and love of Christ. As they take the gospel forth in their music, their actions and their feet I asked Mac if he could think of one moment throughout their ministry where he was in awe of what he saw God using them to do.

Mac: "You know almost every night on the road people come up and share of how a song has ministered to them. It's impossible to narrow it down to one moment because it happens all the time. It is very humbling when a person shares with us how our music has helped them through the loss of a loved one. Our music has done that a lot for people and that is very tough time. I remember there was one girl who was going to commit suicide and she heard the song Cry Out to Jesus and it saved her life! We hear of a lot of couples that are headed for divorce and they hear a song and end up working things out. You know that is awesome."

Official Music Video for Cry Out to Jesus

     Thankfully what moved Mac that day he was mowing the grass as a youngster, is not the same thing that moves Third Day as mighty men of God. The lyrical passion and musical talent that flows through this band is one that continues to transform people for Christ.

     Where You Are there is a Revelation on a Live Wire that Third Day knows about a Conspiracy that Offerings will cause us to Move and Come Together in God's Time and Make a Difference.

It's Time To Move and Order Their New Album!!