So, So Grateful!
It’s not hard for Shelley and me to remember back to late spring 1995. It was a turbulent time in our lives as we said goodbye to ten years of campus ministry in Texas, leaving behind the students we loved and a movement we had leveraged what little we had for. Our plan, though uncertain, was to move to Atlanta to help my mom care for my dad who had become disabled seven years earlier as a result of a rare brain virus. Helping her was unmistakably clear. Everything else was up for grabs. But, before we could actually complete the move my dad suddenly died of a heart attack on Friday, April 28. Shelley and I got the news while I was speaking at a conference in Boston. We were crushed. I basically sobbed the whole flight from Logan International to Atlanta, even though death had been a regular possibility in the early stages of my father’s illness and I thought, many times, I was ready for this outcome. In the end, I was not ready for this.
The following Monday, while a packed house celebrated our ten years of ministry at Baylor, we buried my dad north of Atlanta and wondered how things could turn upside down so quickly. My mom’s heart was broken and she was alone. Shelley and I left one world to come to another, one that was now radically different than we had planned. Our reason for being in Atlanta was murky and shifting. There were more tears than clarity, but, honestly, we never completely lost hope. Sure, we were shaken. Even somewhat dismayed. Yet, not long after those darkest of nights the skies began to clear and God allowed us to see glimpses of what was to come.
What began to stir in our hearts didn’t make death less easy, but as the early clouds of what is now Passion began to form we could see that God really does cause things to work for good, no matter how messed up they may seem in the moment.
That fall, we began shaping a movement with a few close friends (we didn’t even have the name “Passion” yet) and praying God would use that wave to touch the lives of students across the nation. To be fair, we really weren’t thinking about the whole world just yet. Our hearts were breaking for the 17+million university students in the US, most of whom (at that time and today) were falling asleep each night not knowing why they are here and how deeply they are loved.
Eighteen months later, the first Passion gathering emerged January 1-4, 1997, in Austin, TX, a small miracle of sorts (we were starting from zero!) where 2000 students spent four days considering what it means to live out the heart of Isaiah 26:8. The idea of a “268 Generation” was forged and our destiny was set forever. If you were there, you know what I’m talking about. Heaven was open. Something powerful was being exchanged. And lives were irreversibly stamped for His glory. From that moment on, our future was set.
Would this all have happened without the agonizing pain of seven years of disability and death? I can’t answer that one yet, but I know that all Passion has become is partially due to the suffering of those days. Beauty rising from the ashes. And, while I don’t fully understand why it had to be that way, I am grateful for it all.
That’s why, all these years later, Passion 2010 is not just another event for us, not just another “Passion thing.” It is the sum of our struggles, the fruit of our sufferings, the labor of our love, the vision of our dreams…the path we have chosen to stake our lives on for His renown.
And to see what he has done over the years…words fail!
But we are so, so grateful.
Now, this little nationwide vision has circled the globe, amplified again by this e-mail our staff team received this week:
Hi Brad
Excitement for Jan 2010 is reaching an all time high this side of the Atlantic! Me and my friend Mark have been saving and planning for a year, we cannot wait to land in Atlanta on New Year’s day!
My friend Mark and I cannot believe we will actually get to be at an event which has inspired and shaped us over the past 5 years. It’s amazing!
70 young people in our church watched “Fruitcake and Ice Cream” in East Belfast on Sunday night. Thank-you for inspiring a generation!
Blessings in Christ
SC
“O Christ, be the centre of our lives, be the place we fix our eyes..”
Wow!
Thanks, Ireland, for joining the movement and for making the journey to Passion 2010! And to everyone reading this across the earth, we are celebrating our Thanksgiving holiday in the USA…so Happy Thanksgiving to you wherever you are!
Our entire Passion Team will take a brief pause this week for family, turkey (hopefully, fried) and friends, but soon we will be back at it full speed getting everything in place for your arrival at Passion 2010. This weekend, as you are back home among friends, it’s a great time to talk about the vision, watch the 2010 videos and add to your crew before the price goes up on midnight, Tuesday, December 1. Join these crazy Belfast guys and make the journey for His fame!
God is good! We are blessed. Our future is sure!
Louie
PS-New Thanksgiving Podcast posted now for your traveling enjoyment!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Such a Faithful God.
Psalm 77
November 24th, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Wow. Thank you for sharing from your heart Louie. It’s incredible to know that our God works for our good even in the moments when we cannot see it. But as you’ve said before, “God paints on a canvas bigger than we can see or understand.”
Praise God for Passion! Praise God for your heart and for the team of people you lead. I can’t even begin to tell you what God has done in my life thru Passion. I’m so looking forward to Passion 2010! I can’t wait to see what God will do thru this generation. A wave is indeed growing into a global awakening. :D
Thanks for another podcast too … I want deep-fried turkey!!!!
November 24th, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I’m with you. When difficulty is here, we has only to Cling to the Cross. i’m feeling that now.
Your journey of endurance and Passion (yes, that is the right word!) for Jesus to be elevated is rockin. I remember the last night at Baylor. April memorized Ephesians later!
In all things…Go Jesus! paul
November 24th, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, Louie and Shelley!
J and C
November 24th, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I’ll be there. It’s been on the calendar since it was announced as happening over a year ago. Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone and I’ll see you all in Atlanta this January. And I would have to say, that through both triumph and tragedy, good times and bad, difficulty and easier situations, God uses them all to accomplish His purposes for His Kingdom. Praise Him that He cannot be stopped….
November 25th, 2009 at 4:29 AM
I guess we sometimes don’t know what people go through before they get where God wants them to be. I had no clue that passion started like this. This makes passion SPECIAL. Reading this e-mail for sure is a huge challenge for me to keep holding on to God as he shapes my destiny. The bible says whipping may last for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning. Passion 2010 is completely a fruit that has come out of a lot of challenges. I have lately realized that so much goes on before the morning comes. It has to get so dark before it is morning but the morning eventually comes! Sometimes we even think that God is not working. One thing I have realized is even when we think God is not working He is actually working very hard to shape us into what He wants us to be.
Passion is a blessing and continues to be a blessing here in Uganda. I look forward to coming for the conference and bringing back whatever I learn to Uganda. I long to see a generation rise up here in Uganda that is passionate for God and his holiness.
Pray for the team coming from Uganda and the other teams coming from all over the world that God opens doors for us to come and worship our father together.
HAPPY THANKS GIVING!
November 25th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
hello Louie
thanks for sharing how Passion really begins. i’m deeply moved and assured that God’s grace has been with us all no matter what the future holds. truly, His grace is enough to carry us through life storms.
i’m so so excited to hear abt passion 2010 although i couldn’t be there physically but knowing that this is a movement for the next generation, it encourages me to continue to pray for God’s hand to be with passion team.
can’t wait for more good news about our God from passion team! oh btw, any WT this year? i’m actually hoping to go to Passion Korea.. hope the dates would be released soon (if any)
love,
celine – kl – malaysia
November 25th, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Hey Louie,
Last night I shared my ministry journey with college students which began in 1999.
The scripture I shared was; 1 Thess. 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Giving thanks in ALL circumstances was the focus.
It is amazing to look back on 10 years of college ministry and see how God has used ALL circumstances to further his Kingdom. In a lot of cases the bad times have tested our faith in our decisions, but keeping our hearts and minds fixed on the vision that was birthed has brought us through many trying times.
To see how God has been glorified through your steadfast resolve, (many would have thrown in the wet soggy towel after that downpour at Oneday 03) has encouraged me. The rain has poured a few times on our plans but in a little over a month I will be in the ATL with 9 college students who are ready to change the world for Jesus if given the chance.
Have a great Thanksgiving with Shelly and the Family, see you in ATL!
Ray
November 25th, 2009 at 11:52 PM
:)
Thanks so much for this post!
It never gets old hearing how God has used ya’ll for His Glory!
Thanks for letting God work through ya’ll over the years and thanks for not ignoring His call when your loss was so very deep and personal…
It takes great faith to trust God in the middle of such pain and loss…I know that God smiles down on all that ya’ll do and have done…and I’m sure He is proud to call you His children!
Passion 2010 will be great and totally blessed!
Keep fighting the good fight!
Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels! :)
For His name and renown!
Karahly … podcast listener – #303 ;) …
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
November 26th, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this story of how Passion came to be Louie…It has truly encouraged me so much because I am going through a season of “uncertainty” myself. After living 6 years in FL and being a passionate Christian who was very involved and “hands on” in my church, God decided to move me back to Peru, where I grew up and where my family, who is unsaved, still lives. I can´t even begin to describe how difficult this new season has been. From going to having a big spiritual family in FL and ADORING my church home to basically starting from zero and going thru things that “in my own understanding” don´t make sense at all…But this blog was just a reminder to me that God is definitely up to something good and that He didn´t bring me here to leave me, but to use me for His glory and Renown!!
All I have to do is wait on Him…Proverbs 3:5,6
November 28th, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Giving Him praise for the unimaginable beauty He does bring from brokenness in your’s and Shelley’s life.
He is worthy…
November 29th, 2009 at 2:56 AM
Today Delirious performs their last ever concert. As a band they have pioneered the modern worship movement and have forever changed the lives of a multitude. This includes have 7 of their songs recorded by Passion. So, so grateful for their wonderful music, their love for God, and the lasting impact they have had on my life. They truly are history makers for our King!
November 29th, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Prayin’ for Passion 2010 can’t wait to see what’s going to happen! I think the word impossible should be taken out of our vocab. BTW -thanks for the message podcast, Louie is one of my running buddies.
Peace,
Hope
November 30th, 2009 at 3:58 AM
I was at the Delirious gig mentioned above – the first time I had been back at the Hammersmith Apollo since Passion London last June. Was cool being back there, praising God with several thousand again – and praying on for Passion London next year as well as Passion 2010!
December 1st, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Hi.
hope you read this and enjoy. I am honored to be supporting the passion conferences, onemillioncan, and in the larger scope, the work of the kingdom of God in any way I can.
http://eunion.xanga.com/717443174/you-should-read-this-if-you-want-to-get-me-gift-or-even-if-you-dont/
December 1st, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I am so so grateful too for what God is doing through your lives!
isaiah 26: 12
all that we have accomplished You have done for us!
When we share in His suffering , we will share in His glory.
God has blessed your obedience in a tremendous way!
through the pain and the trials something beautiful is taking place!
Larger and wider than you could have thought about years ago.
So great to see that your sermons@passion city church are available to be watched. You are so filled with His Word and Spirit. Thanks for your transparency and your freaking funny!
December 1st, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Hey Pastor Louie!
I was wondering if we’ll be doing a 28-Day Prayer Journey to prepare for the gathering like we have in the past. Nothing fills my heart with eager anticipation like looking to God and celebrating the unknown that we can already trust will be wonderful. Can’t wait to see you…. in a month!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 AM
Thank you so much for your faithfulness in your calling!
If you asked me 4 years ago what’s the chance that I would be connected with such wonderful people in the US and around the world, I would have honestly said to you: “Uuhhh……” But look what our Lord has done! It has always been part of His plan……He just needed us to answer His call… Today I am so excited to be part of His story, even if my part is microscopic small in the greater calling.
This is one of my all time favorite quotes and I would love to share it with you. I think that you will definitely relate to it:
“When we look back and wonder how we ever made it this far,
we realize that it is not because we have been clever, but
because God has been WISE.
Not because we have been strong, but
because God has been ALL MIGHTY.
Not because we have been consistent, but
because God has been FAITHFUL….”
Love from (a scorching hot Bushveld) SA
kari
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Hi Louie
I so enjoy reading your blog and seeing how the Lord is working in your ministry. We corresponded through Brad over the summer when I shared our story about my father in law Roger. We are seeing Chris Tomlin at Grace Church Eden Prairie on Monday December 7th and would love to meet you and show you our tattoos of Laminin. We have all been so encouraged with your messages and would like to thank you in person if there is a time to do so. If not please know that we are in the crowd cheering you on and feeling blessed by your words of encouragement. Have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our savior.
In Christ,
The Duemke Family
December 5th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Hi Louie,
Each time I hear you share this story, it overwhelms me to think of the ways God has used both yours and Shelley’s obedience to His leading in your lives to impact mine. If you would have said “NO” to God in His leading you to Atlanta when it didn’t make sense, I would have literally missed out on living out part of the plan God had for my life which directly ties into the Passion Movement. I would like to add my “So, so grateful” to yours. THANK YOU! I look forward to joining you in Atlanta for Passion 2010! This journey with you and God has been nothing short of a mind blowing experience!
God Bless,
Valerie
December 9th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Louie & Shelly
Se que no podran tomar en serio mis palabras por lo que soy.
Pero me alegro en verdad el escuchar como entregaron su corazon a Dios
para este movimiento.Mis pesos por su Padre.
Puede que me crean como loca pero en verdad su historia me inpacto.
Porque son las cosas que pasan paresido en mi vida.
No sere una persona espesial y soy cobarde.
Cobarde al no poner todo el corazon como ustedes lo pusieron para DIos.
Soy muy devil y tengo temor hay veces.Temor por lo que DIos hace en
mi vida.Hacy como soy pero El desea que haga algo que creo saber y
me hago la loca y trato de huir.Pero no puedo.
DIos siempre me trata de volver. Yo quiero alejarme y olvidarme.
So y cobarde y no qiero sufrir.Quiero estar bien segura para acerlo.
Y Dios tiene paciensia y me espera.Hay veces me siento como Jonas.
Que se lo que Dios me esta diciendo. Y mi sufri miento no me deja creser
para hacer rapido lo que Dios me manda.
Pero a Dios no se le escapa nada y sabe muy bien todo lo que sera.
Tengo temor en mi familia la gente me enrreda con sus palabras.
Quisiera saber la seguridad que tenian usted Louie con su esposa
si los dos?Esta es mi preocupasion mas grande.Que hay veces me dicen
Si yo y mi esposo no concuerdamos en el mismo camino hay alguna fallla.
La entrega hasia Dios los 2 lo tenian? Estaria muy agradesida si me contestaran.Es halgo valioso para mi vida.Quiero seguir lo que Dios me dice.
Y en eso quiero estar con mi familia.Quiero que este temor se me valla.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Hey Mate, Good website! I greatly like the design. The only problem that I have is that the RSS feeds arnt working properly in my viewer.