Feels epic. Sounds amazing. Can’t wait for you to experience it.
Available everywhere 03//09//10!

Track listing:
1. Awakening – Chris Tomlin
2. Say, Say – Kristian Stanfill
3. Our God – Chris Tomlin
4. How He Loves – The David Crowder*Band
5. Healing is in Your Hands – Christy Nockels
6. King of Heaven (Isaiah 61) – Charlie Hall
7. You Alone Can Rescue – Matt Redman
8. Where the Spirit of the Lord Is – Chris Tomlin/Christy Nockels
9. Rise and Sing – FEE
10. Like a Lion – The David Crowder*Band
11. Chosen Generation – Chris Tomlin
12. With Everything – Hillsong United

It’s been three years since I was introduced to Ashley Akinns… and I have spent much of the time since introducing her and her amazing story of grace to the world.  Her first email arrived on this day in 2007:

January 22, 2007

Hi, I feel kinda weird writing this email. And i doubt if it ever gets to Mr Louie Giglio. I am a Senior at The University of Florida. I got a new roommate this semester and she is a Christian and I have never really been into the whole Christian thing because every pastor or speaker that I have ever listened to didn’t speak in a language I could understand. I have believed in God and Jesus, but never really understood it because the preachers at the church that I have always been forced to go to every Sunday of my life. They speak all high and mighty and I never really felt connected, and I felt like God was only for the perfect people.

Well my roommate went to this Passion Conference over winter break. And she came back and moved into my apt and she was real and genuine about all her Christian stuff, like I have never seen before in a person. She said that God changed her at this conference, so i was like what are you talking about. And she told me. She told me about how God was cool, and how God really wanted a deeper relationship with her, and she wanted to really love God the way he loved her, so of course I was like well huh? She then said you need to listen to Louie talk about God, so I asked who Louie was, and she put on the Indescribable talk, and then we watched the Passport talk. And in the Passport talk you said that Christians do not have to just hope for the best at the end, that they do not have to do enough good stuff. You explained how to get to heaven in a simple way, in a way that I have never heard before. I actually got it, I got it that it is not about being so good, cause I am not a good person. I have screwed up a lot. But then you said grace, and talked about how it was different than other religions. Because God is a loving and a kind God who wants to forgive me. My roommate then explained that he wants to forgive me.

Now for one of the reasons I am thanking you. One, I am now a Christian. And two, my roommate said that she had never really cared about telling others about how much God loved her before she went to this conference. So though I am not sure who will ever read this. Please tell Louie thanks from me, for talking about Christ in a way that a college kid can understand. I know that Jesus has changed my life and as I get ready to graduate college in May, I am gonna be a different person. I am sorry this is kinda rambling but I just had to tell you that I now know about the Grace of God, and I have life for the first time in my 22 years

Ashley

I can remember exactly where I was sitting (tour bus, Phoenix, AZ) when I read Ashley’s email.  We were on the heels of Passion 07, and 22,000+ people had just left Atlanta with the idea that we were going to SHINE in this world for Jesus.  That always sounds like a grand idea in the moment, but you always wonder when and where the power of the event (what we have all experienced with God during our time together) is going to touch down back in the world we come from.  Reading Ashley’s message (and knowing of Christa’s shine-factor!) I said out loud, “That, is what Passion is all about.  This girl wasn’t even there, and God has changed her life!”

Obviously, if you’re reading this Blog, there’s a good chance none of this is news to you.  I shared Ashley’s email here a few days after I received it (with permission) and her story has since circled the globe and been heard by countless people.  Her love for Jesus and new-found faith, coupled with the car accident that took her home to heaven a few months later, have touched people in their dark hours as they try to make sense of circumstances that assail their faith and seek to dampen hope.

In the end, I’ve talked a lot about Ashley’s family (her mom, step-dad and brother), all hurting and struggling on different levels, and about her dad, a self-professed atheist who lost his only child and the love of his life.  In his first email to me shortly after Ashley’s death Mike was incredibly kind, yet decidedly opposed to faith.  But, he wrote to thank me for Passion and said he couldn’t deny the difference he had seen in Ashley’s life since she became a Christian.

As I shared this message of hope in the midst of pain, I would always end by saying something like, “I know, if this was a good “preacher story” there would be a nice bow on the end and Ashley’s dad would walk out and close our time in prayer….but life doesn’t work out that way and I don’t have a bow.  Often, in this world, we don’t get a bow.”  People would always laugh.  Yet something powerful would settle over the message that rings true.  Life doesn’t always end up working out the way we plan.  You know it and I know it, but it doesn’t take one ounce of power away from our message, or the cross of Christ which immovably anchors our hope in a God who loves us no matter what, and who paints on a canvas bigger than we can see or imagine.

Mike and I would often write and talk back and forth about the life his daughter found in Christ.  After hearing the Hope message he wrote, “I’m not sure you’re ever going to get your bow.”

After three years, I sometimes wondered if he was right.

But, as I say after sharing Ashley’s journal and story of faith, “Never count God out!”  A few days ago an email came with the subject: New Year. New Life.  It reads in part (with permission)…

All of us have heavy (and somewhat overwhelmed) hearts as we see the devastation that has come to our Haitian neighbors. At this point, it’s impossible to take in the scope of the destruction and the breadth of what will be necessary to restore, rebuild and reclaim.

Having spent some time there, I can attest to the massive plight of this nation (the poorest in the western hemisphere) before these events.  I can barely imagine the compounding sorrow and brokenness today.

We are reaching out to our friends at Hope International, through whom we partnered just days ago at Passion 2010 to provide 322 small business loans for women in Haiti. You can read about their relief efforts and contribute to their cause here.

As well, you can give through two additional Passion 2010 Do Something Now partners, Compassion International (Shelley and I have first hand knowledge of the amazing work they are doing in Haiti) and World Vision.

We will remain in contact with our friends who are working in Haiti in coming days and will communicate next steps as the Passion Movement continues to respond.

The initial outpouring of prayer and financial assistance has been beautiful ($5 million was given to the Red Cross efforts in one day by people texting Haiti to 90999).  But the process will be long and hard and we must not lose interest and move on.

LG

It’s hard to believe one week has passed since Passion 2010. I’m not sure about you, but I’m still trying to take it all in, and smiling as wide as possible on the inside knowing I was able to be in that moment. Seeing the grace and glory of God awaken, heal and inspire a generation to live to make Jesus famous made all the sweat and sacrifice it took to get there worth it.

In some ways I feel like I am still in the middle of the last session, watching people stand to affirm the change God birthed in their hearts. The first to stand were those saying they had met Jesus as Savior and Life-Giver during Passion 2010. So many stood all across both venues, expressing for the first time their new faith in Christ. The first I saw to stand was a guy near the front in Philips who jumped to his feet and shot his hand up so proudly…not like, “Hmmm, yea, me”…. but more like, “HERE I AM! I have found life and forgiveness in Jesus!”

Yes!

So to that guy, whoever you are, and to all who were part of this gathering, welcome to week 2 of Passion 2010 as we “work it out” where we study, work, play and live.

One thing we forgot to mention at 2010 was the inevitable dilemma you run into once you’re home. It goes like this:

Scenario 1-
Friend asks glibly, “So…how was Passion?”
Based on the way the question was asked, you know you’re in trouble and don’t have time to unpack all you are feeling inside… and you’re not even sure you could find the right words if you tried. The look on their face tells you they are not down for a long response.
You reply, “Hmmmm, it was good,” and frustratingly change the subject.
Oh well.

Scenario 2-
A friend or family member says, “So, what was your favorite part of Passion?”
Your brain goes numb and overload kicks in. Words do not come out of your mouth.
Oh well.

Scenario 3-
A friend really wants to know about Passion, asking, “So, tell me all about Passion 2010.”
You talk for forty-five minutes straight without so much as taking a breath, only to realize that nothing you have managed to say quite reflects the depth of what God is doing in your heart. You consider going in for another forty-five, but settle for….”Umm, you really needed to be there!”
Oh well.

Welcome to the post-Passion syndrome. We should have warned you.

Obviously, not everyone feels it, but many of you now know what I’m talking about. That’s not to make a big deal of Passion. I say let Passion’s name fade. It’s just to say that God did so much during the days here in Atlanta it’s hard to really process it all right away, much less package it in a short reply.

We just wanted you to know we’re with you today as you continue to embrace it all….
Awake!
LG

The heartbeat of the Passion Movement is not simply about filling arenas, but a generation mobilized to carry the message of God’s fame to the unreached, oppressed and forgotten wherever they are on the planet.

To that end, one of the five statements of the 268 Declaration is:

Willingness To Shine The Gospel To All People—
Because God is seeking worshipers of all peoples, I will spread His fame among the nations, fully participating in His global purposes while engaging poverty and injustice in Jesus’ name.
[God, kindle in me the desire to go anywhere, at anytime, at any cost, to do anything to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.]

While the worship at Passion is vital, it is not an end in itself.  Rather, our songs and anthems are fuel for our journey to the nations. Thus, Do Something Now is front and center in all we do, a major component of every gathering.

At Passion 2010 we introduced 12 partner organizations with causes totaling $500,000. Our goal was not pledges for the future, but giving on site together in four days. In the end (and this number will continue to grow), the total passed on to our 12 partners includes:

Building an education center for the Dalit people of India through Operation Mobilization.  Goal–$75,000. Given–$92,753.91.

Small business loans for women in Haiti through Hope International.  Goal–200 x $200 loans. Given–$64,412.34 for 322 loans.

Bible translation for Shatika and Rom People of SE Asia with OneVerse.  Goal–translate 4000 verses at a cost of $100,000. Given–3134 verses/$78.359.

Sponsor 100 seminary students in the Middle East with E3 Partners.  Goal–$30,000. Given–$45,318/151 students.

Build 10 wells in Guatemala with Living Water.  Goal–$50,000. Given–$113.865/22 wells built.

Provide 100 cleft palate surgeries for children in Afghanistan with Cure International.  Goal–$55,000. Given–$68,160.54/111 children get surgeries.

Package and send Bibles to unreached people in Asia through Bibles Unbound.  Goal–3000 Bibles packaged and $3000 to cover cost. Given/Done–3000 Bibles packaged/$9,530.56 given to send more.

Build a border outpost in Nepal to intercept sex trafficking victims through Not For Sale.  Goal–$25,000. Given–$86,516.72 for 3+ border outposts.

Support a Child Survival project in Indonesia through Compassion International.  Goal–100 students x $20 a month for one year = $24,000. Given–205 students x $20 a month for one year = $50,170. (The 12 month commitment represents pledges for this cause).

Package meals through our partner Feed My Starving Children.  Goal–package 100,000 meals at Passion 2010 and give $17,500 to cover costs. Given/Done–108,432 meals packaged and $17,533.32 given.

Sponsor children affected by HIV/AIDS in Mozambique with World Vision.  Goal–200 students x $35 monthly/package 1000 Caregiver kits. Given–174 students x $35 monthly/1000 caregiver kits assembled.

Drink coffee and fund projects in Ethiopia through our partner Gobeana Coffee.  Given–$24,548.

Total given at Passion 2010 = $724,480.42.

IN ADDITION, a family at Passion 2010 matched the total as of Tuesday morning with a gift of $668.597.00.

For a Passion 2010

As well, 14,820 towels and 72,600 pairs of socks were given to assist the homeless shelters of Atlanta.

Obviously, it’s not all about the money. But we know the verse, “where your money is your heart is also,” applies here, and believe many lives have been captured by His global purposes in these days.

Thanks to everyone who joined this amazing cause.  Let’s continue to give everything until His grace, hope ad healing are extended to all.

Humbled,
LG

You can still give $5 by texting OMC to 20222 and by supporting the causes at onemillioncan.com. All monies given by text after Passion 2010 will go to onemillioncan causes.

A few of the final sessions of Passion 2010 are still online for Playback, but today is the day we begin to “work out” what God has done in our lives during our time in Atlanta.  It was so powerful during the last session as thousands stood to voice their own personal awakening during these days.  Many stood first to say that they had awakened to a relationship with Jesus Christ for he very first time, seeing Him as the giver of life, forgiveness and hope forever.

Others stood awakening to…
Christ as everything…supreme and sufficient.
Grace-I cant but He can.
Healing-so many stood to say healing had come to their wounds during these days.
Glory-awakening to the massive God story that is going on around us and our desire to make our lives count for His fame.
Justice-to see those with no voice lifted in His love.

Our team is completely tanked and so, so grateful for all He has done.  We are humbled to serve your generation and praying for you as Passion 2010 begins….right now!

More later…
LG

It’s way too soon for me to try to write about the last four days in a few sentences…but suffice to say if I could do a “heart dump” there would be about a 124,443,786 word Blog in front of you right now.

22,000+ people are headed out of downtown as Passion 2010 takes to the streets and we find out what these days were really made of.  I have a feeling there are going to be ripples from these days that turn into massive waves and reach every spot of earth fr the fame of the one who has set us free!

Thank you to our amazing team of leaders, a tireless staff team and 1100 of the most phenomenal volunteers you have ever seen.  And thank you to all of you who gave us the huge honor of serving you in these days.

Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.  Psalm 57:8-11

More to come….
LG