One Year Later/DC
Though it seems like forever (so much goes by so fast sometimes), it was actually just twelve months ago that we were in the midst of four spring regional Passion gatherings, one of which was Passion DC on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Interestingly, Mason was recently named by U. S. News as the #1 “school to watch” in the US and promptly lived up to that reputation in February by selecting a Drag Queen as Homecoming Queen!
But on a more positive note, this report came from a friend who leads a ministry that meets on the George Mason campus.
It’s pretty cool that we’re getting the chance to talk now since it was almost exactly a year ago that Passion touched down here in DC. I was at Mason earlier today for [our ministries meeting] and as I was driving by the Patriot Center, I couldn’t help but celebrate what God did that weekend and continues to do on that campus. As Passion leans into everything God has for you in the months to come, I hope your whole team can celebrate how He used Passion as part of His plan for an often overlooked campus outside of DC.
The spiritual climate at Mason is shifting and God is doing some pretty amazing things in the hearts of students. People are praying differently; they’re asking God for big things on that campus and believing Him for big answers. Students are talking about Jesus more than ever before and the church is growing. Our little ministry alone has doubled since February. I hope you know where I’m coming from when I say that – I never want to be that “our numbers are up” guy! But there are some things you can measure that matter a lot: Mason students who have raised thousands of dollars to fight human trafficking; 6 short term mission trips that have gone out from Mason this past year; and nearly a dozen students being baptized on that campus. Those are just some of the things we’ve celebrated at [our ministry.] Other ministries would only add to that and give you an even fuller picture of what God is doing at Mason.
I say all of that so that your team can be encouraged that the seeds you planted last year are growing. They’re being carried by an amazing group of students who are living out so much of what God called them to through Passion. It’s great to walk with them and see God answering so many prayers in their young lives.
So, I just wanted to say thanks. I’m praying for all of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us – for the universities in DC and for your new adventures in Atlanta and where ever else God leads.
I will always remember the way it seemed the spiritual tide turned that weekend as we all started praying for the students and ministries of GMU. To know that God is at work, and those prayers are a small part of rescue and redemption there today, is what the Passion Movement is all about!
Louie
March 10th, 2009 at 7:01 PM
I will never forget Passion DC and it is hard to believe it has been a year already.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Praise God for faithful servants in DC area! Faithfulness lived out deserves great honor – because it is our Jesus who is being served.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
It has actually been over a year.
What God is doing as a result of DC is only the beginning. I know that even in my life, MANY things have changed because of what God initiated at DC. This note from one of the ministries at Mason confirms this further.
Greater things!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
:D
Praise God! How Awesome He is! :)
It is so great to hear what God is doing at Mason!
I am so excited for them and pray God keeps on rockin’ their world!
God bless you all at Passion…Keep on livin’ for His Glory! :)
Karahly :)
P.S. Thanks for sharing the letter with all of us!
March 11th, 2009 at 2:01 AM
Wow – A year already – been three years now since I was introduced Passion and the many wonderful volunteer experiences(one of which was DC!) Thanks you for sharing the update – Way to -go GOD ! IT so awesome to hear God is moving in difficult times!
God Bless,
Angela
March 11th, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Good day Louie. My name is Phillips, yes that’s right, with an S, I last saw you in 2008 on the final leg of your Passion Conference in the Sydney Entertainment Centre…. My friend recently sent me a link to a youtube video which shows your presentation on laminin. Wow, it really took my breath away, that amongst the smallest building blocks which form our bodies, lies the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord… I then remembered your presentation ‘Indescribable’ at Hillsong conference in 2006 I believe it was, and remembered that more than 20 million light years away, lies the Whirlpool Galaxy M51a, again breathtaking, to think that beyond the farthest reach of human will, lies the the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord, radiant, brilliant. Jesus really is everywhere! Beyond what we can naturally see, larger than we can imagine! But He is also everything we’re made of, everything we need.
I also had a question! It’s quite silly but my friend Sarah now writes on her emails, LOTI (laughing on the inside) instead of LOL (laughing out loud), after explaining that she learned that from you at Passion Conference Sydney (You’re name is coming up alot here in my world!) I asked if the line “kick butt” (apologies if it’s vulgar) can be considered a lie? My argument was as follows
“Hahaha I just realised Kick butt is a lie too… When we say something
kicks butt 99.98% of the time, it doesn’t actually kick anyone’s butt
(that statistic may be a lie, but I think it’s quite accurate)”
It was out of light hearted humour of course but she dared me to ask you, I couldn’t find your email so here I am on your blog!
Oh did you know that people nowadays actually verbally say LOL? I think in an American accent, it’d be pronounced ‘lawl’.
But I think that’s enough from me… Thank you so much for the impact you’re leaving around the world! Thank you for preaching the Gospel without withholding! Thank you Passion City Church! I look forward to seeing you again!
Love Phillips and the Hillsong Burwood Extension Service Gang
March 12th, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Loiuie you have change my life for the best, i am a high school student in north carolina and i started watching your videos with my nana and her aunt and i have just loved watching your videos like fuit cake and ice cream they were the best and idescribable there awesome since then i have been telling everyone about the thing you talk about. Like Laminin and the whirlpool galaxy and they have started watching your videos. But i heard about this website and wanted to tell you and thank you and hope god watches over everyone
March 13th, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Another splendid testimony of what beauty God brings from the ground when good seed is scattered. Bravo!
March 15th, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Habukkuk 1:5 – - Nuff Said
Praise God!
March 15th, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I sure hope Louie reads this…
Hey Louie. I cannot express to you enough how much your DVD messages have meant to me and the youth ministry that I humbly serve. I cannot help but weep when i watch them no matter how many times i’ve seen them (and I’m not much of a crier!). Your messages have touched my heart. You get it!!! You understand what it’s all about! There are so many Pastors who spend their whole lives studying scripture and it still never clicks with them. I don’t weep when watching you because of your skills as a speaker, but mostly because of the Holy Spirit revealing God’s nature through your words. I just finished watching Fruitcake and Ice Cream and it was not an easy task to hold back my tears (by the way, I failed at holding them back). I feel like I’m right there with you as far as my understanding of the truth of the gospel, but I feel like i’m stuck. I want to reach the world. I want to stop the pattern of inviting people to church to get them to know Christ. I want to go meet them where they are at. If they wanted to go to church, wouldn’t they be here without an invitation? There are enough churches in the world to choose from. They need people that are on their level reaching out to them just like Fruitcake did with Ashley. But I feel like there are so many people to reach, how can I get to them all? I know that it’s a one by one process through relationships that changes lives. People can go to conferences all they want and while some of them find Christ, still others will come off the high of the experience and be right back into the same lifestyle they were in before. I don’t know what you can do to help me… But i know that you get it; and it gets you!!! So without any knowledge of why I’m reaching out to you, I feel i need to. I love Jesus! and I NEED to help others see why! I don’t feel like I am capable of only reaching those around me. I can’t contain it that much. There is a world to reach and that is where I need to be. Blessings to you and your family Louie! Thank you for serving God well.
Don
Youth Pastor
College Park Church of God in Long Beach
March 15th, 2009 at 7:04 PM
mr.giglio,
I have been a christian for many years. I’m not certain if this will ever get to you. I have watched two of your DVD’s and know that you are an annointed speaker. I must ask if you are speaking in the greater NY/NJ area anytime in the future. I would like to have the pleasure of meeting you. Please contact me. May God continue to use you to further His Kingdom.
Thank you,
Joy
March 16th, 2009 at 4:15 AM
Wow, that is so awesome what has been happening at George Mason Uni in D.C.! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow :o) thanks again to you & all in the Passion team for your faithfulness in laying these seeds in uni campuses across America and the world!
-Priscilla
(Auckland, NZ)
March 25th, 2009 at 2:51 AM
Am I the only one who is missing the First Monday prayer guide? It’s been like 5 months since the last one, but who is counting !
Sorry for grumbling :)
March 27th, 2009 at 7:32 PM
My life changed at Passion DC, I will never forget that. Jesus showed me that His grace was enough!!! And a seed was also planted at GMU. Recently my sister and a friend of mine observed how Tom Short got insulted and mocked as he preached the gospel on campus. It was intense moments that were lived at the GMU campus. It made us self-reflect and draw closer to God to fill us with the courage to testify. But I know there is a seed that its starting to give fruit. Thank you for choosing our campus for Passion DC. May God continue blessing your ministry. Keep us in your prayers.
Sarah
March 31st, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Don Mckinnon,
I read your blog & i wanted to share some encouragement to you. First of all, you are driven for the Lord. I hear it in your soul. You mentioned that you wanted to stop the pattern of asking souls to come to church, but how will they know, les they be sent? How will the hear the truth unless they are taught? Your fruits, your actions, will lead people into the House of God because they will say, “Hey, i want what he has. Can i go with you?” There are different ways to lead souls to Christ, including in different places, but dont stop asking. I was asked to come at 17, and because of that invitation, i got saved. We are to go out into the nations, teaching the Gospel, but do it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Flesh cannot conquer flesh…..spirit conquers flesh. You need to watch Louie’s teaching called “Passion”…..your answer is there.
Rita….TX
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Don McKinnon,
I made a mistake by mentioning a teaching to you called “Passion” but I meant “PASSPORT.” This teaching is exactly based on fishing for souls & spreading the Gospel nation wide. Hope you get it.
April 5th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
What if what I want to say has nothing to do with any of this.
What if I need to ask Mr Giglio a question but the chances of him getting it is zero.
What if it is in any case to late when anyone gets this.
What if I just have realized I was not meant to be born.
So Mr Giglio, sould anyone die alone?