To introduce ourselves, we are the Passion Movement, and to many we are known for worship. Names like Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, and Matt Redman are synonymous with Passion Conferences. But there is another kind of worship that happens at Passion gatherings. Much quieter but no less powerful worship that literally reaches the ends of the earth and brings hope, healing, rescue, and restoration to the least of these. This student-led worship is called Do Something Now. At Passion, we want to lead out with the kind of worship that weds songs with action. Worship and justice in the name of Jesus!
We love music at Passion and have been privileged to bring many new songs to the Church around the globe. But we are convinced that worship is about more than songs; worship is love in motion. It's clear that the kind of worship God desires requires more than words, calling us to love the world with the love of Jesus.
Earlier this month, beautiful worship happened in both song and deed as 42,000 18-25 year olds filled the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Students gathered from every state, 31 countries, and more than 1,700 campuses for the four day gathering. During the main sessions Passion Visionary Architect, Louie Giglio led the way along with Francis Chan, John Piper, Beth Moore, and Christine Caine. Yet, beyond the sessions, worship continued as students rallied a battle cry around the Do Something Now cause of FREEDOM.
In years past, Passion's Do Something Now campaign has highlighted multiple causes from clean water to funding underground churches to life-saving operations. But this year, the Spirit led the team at Passion to narrow the focus to the central theme of freedom for the world's 27 million slaves. Eyes were opened, hearts broken and lives awakened. Indifference was no longer an option as the stories and reality of slavery unfolded before the students and attendees of Passion 2012.
Those of us watching God break open the hearts of the students to the cause of freedom, were moved by their genuine response. There is a tendency in all of us to want to curl up in a corner and not put up a fight when a Goliath size problem stands before us. There is something in us that says, "What's the point? There is nothing I can do. I'm just one person". However, the students of Passion 2012 don't seem to believe that lie. They believe together they can change the world and be a force for good. They believe they are unstoppable. And we have to agree as we've watched this collegiate generation over the last 6 years lead the way in giving toward hope and opportunity for the least of these. They are fearless and will rise to the challenges set before them. In the case of Passion 2012, a massive $1 Million goal was set before the students to wrap their hearts and wallet around. This goal would fund 7 projects around the globe to bring prevention, rescue, restoration to men women and children trapped in modern day slavery. But, instead of giving $1 Million, these Raman-noodle-eating, search-for-change-between-the-couch-cushion generation of college students and adult leaders blew past that goal and gave more than $3.3 million! Talk about beautiful worship. Students literally rushed to the Freedom Stations to stand in line by the thousands to give away their funds to a cause much greater than themselves. Willingly, joyfully, sacrificially giving to be a part of Freedom.
The generosity of the students is contagious and the $3.3 Million continues to grow. The money will bring incredible life change and freedom for sure. But what inspires us even more than the money given is the evidence of God stirring in the hearts of these students. The ripples of Passion 2012 are reaching far beyond the four days in Atlanta and beyond the millions of dollars that will spread to every corner of the world. Though we will never be able to fully quantify the impact of Passion 2012 and the days that follow, we have seen the trajectory of students' lives change forever as their hearts were awakened and set to action. Out of these student's lives, we believe amazing world change will flow as a result of God's stirring and their united voice at Passion 2012.
As a leader serving and guiding this younger generation, we challenge you with this: Don't count this generation out. Let them rise up and lead the way - because they already are. Let them believe they can change the world - because they will. Let them dream big and run hard after the dreams God is stirring in their hearts - because He is. There is room in this story for you, too. Ask yourself how you can leverage your time, treasures, and talents for the cause of freedom and live life of worship by putting love in motion.
http://268generation.com/passion2012/#!/freedom/