True to my word, I want/need to give some props to the Tigers, who apparently are coming to Passion 2010 in huge numbers. Yep, that’s right, so far we have Tigers from Missouri, Princeton, University of the Pacific, Ouachita Baptist, LSU, Campbellsville, Memphis, Towson, East Texas Baptist and probably a few I’m missing.

And, yes, there are two sets of Tigers missing from this list. One, the Auburn Tigers, are currently sitting atop the list of schools headed to Atlanta (in terms of registrations from that campus, not necessarily students) and two, my friends from Clemson.

The latter Tigers, the Purple and Orange kind, were in ninth place on that list before last Thursday, but after a little challenge while there (I had the privilege of speaking to 1500 students at FCA last Thursday), the Clemson Tigers have moved up to #3. Impressive! [LOL!!]

But, just to be clear, we are no respecters of persons…or mascots. We’re just as happy to have Eagles, Owls and all flying things, dogs and all cats… and other assorted plants, animals, colors, people and things.

We just don’t want you to miss being here…representing your generation…engaging the world together to make Jesus famous.

So congrats to the Tigers and welcome all who just staked your place at Passion 2010!

There’s still room for you!
LG

In what is perhaps our longest post to date, campuses of the nation and world collide as thousands of students set their sights on Atlanta for Passion 2010. I love the length and breadth of this list and am eager to watch it grow as we get closer to January 2 and the first night we will stand together in His name. Hopefully, your campus is on the list. If not, there is definitely a place for you at 2010. Remember, the price goes up late Sunday night (12 AM PST), November 1, so now is the time to stake your place!

Campuses represented so far:

北京林业大学 (Beijing Forestry University – China)
Abilene Christian University
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Agnes Scott College
Aiken Technical College
Alabama A&M University
Alabama Southern Community College
Alabama State University
Albany State University
Alderson-Broaddus College
Alma College
Alvernia University
Alvin Community College
Amarillo College
American River College
American University
Amridge University
Anderson University
Angelina College
Angelo State University
Antonelli College
Appalachian Bible College
Appalachian State University
Arcadia University
Arizona State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas Tech University
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Art Institute of Atlanta
Art Institute of Charlotte
Art Institute of Indianapolis
Art Institute of Nashville
Asbury College
Asbury Theological Seminary
Ashland Community & Technical College
Ashland Theological Seminary
Ashland University
At Home Professions
Athens State University
Atlanta Christian College
Atlantic Baptist University
Auburn University
Auburn University – Montgomery
Auburn University – Southern Union
Augusta State University
Augustana College
Austin College
Austin Community College
Austin Peay State University
Aveda Institute
Azusa Pacific University
Baldwin-Wallace College
Ball State University
Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania
Baptist College of Florida
Baptist College of Health Sciences
Baptist School of Health Professions
Bates College
Baton Rouge Community College
Baylor University
Belhaven College
Bellarmine University
Belmont University
Benedictine University
Bergen Community College
Berklee School of Music
Berry College
Bethany Bible College
Bethel College
Bethel College of Supernatural Ministry
Bethlehem Bible College
Bevill State Community College
Biola University
Birmingham Southern College
Black Hawk College
Blinn College
Blue Mountain College
Blue Ridge Community College
Bluefield College
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Bob Jones University
Bond University (Australia)
Bossier Parish Community College
Boston University
Bowling Green State University
Boyce College
Bradley University
Brenau University
Brevard College
Brevard Community College
Brewer Christian College
Brewton-Parker College
Bridgewater College
Brigham Young University
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Broward College
Brunswick Community College
Bryan College
Bucks County Community College
Buffalo State College
Butler Community College
Butler County Community College
Butler University
Cabrini College
Calhoun Community College
California Baptist University
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
California State University
California State University – East Bay
California State University – Sacramento
California State University – San Bernardino
Calvin College
Camden County College
Cameron University
Campbell University
Campbellsville University
Cape Fear Community College
Capitol City Christian Church
Carl Albert State College
Carleton University (Canada)
Carnegie Mellon University
Carroll University
Carson-Newman College
Catawba Valley Community College
Cedar Valley College
Cedarville University
Central Florida Community College
Central Lakes College
Central Michigan University
Central Piedmont Community College
Central Virginia Community College
Cerritos College
Chabot College
Chandler Gilbert Community College
Charles Darwin University
Charleston Southern University
Chattahoochee Technical College
Chattanooga State
China Agricultural University (China)
Chipola College
Christ For the Nations
Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (Christian University of Applied Sciences – Netherlands)
Christopher Newport University
Cincinnati Christian University
City College
City University of New York – Baruch College
Clark Atlanta University
Clayton State University
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Clearwater Christian College
Clemson University
Cleveland Community College
Coastal Carolina University
College of Biblical Studies
College of Charleston
College of Coastal Georgia
College of Lake County
College of San Mateo
College of the Desert
College of the Ozarks
College of William & Mary
Colorado Christian University
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia Basin College
Columbia College
Columbia International University
Columbia State Community College
Columbus State University
Community College of the Air Force
Concordia University
Concordia University Chicago
Connors State College
Converse College
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Cornell University
Cornerstone University
Cosumnes River College
Covenant College
Cowley Community College
Criswell College
Crowder College
Culver-Stockton College
Cumberland Community College (Canada)
Cumberland County College
Cumberland University
CVCC
Dakota Wesleyan University
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dalton State College
Danville Community College
Darton College
Davenport University
Daytona State College
Deakin University (Australia)
Delaware County Community College
Delgado Community College
Delta College
Delta State University
DePaul University
DeSales University
DeVry University
Dordt College
Drury University
Duke University
East Arkansas Community College
East Carolina University
East Central Community College
East Central University
East Georgia College
East Mississippi Community College
East Tennessee State University
East Texas Baptist University
Eastern Carolina University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern University
Eastfield College
Edinboro University
Edison College
El Camino College
Elgin Community College
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elon University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emmanuel College
Emmaus Bible College
Emory & Henry College
Emory University
Enterprise-Ozark Community College
Erie Community College
ESMOD (Australia)
Eternity Bible College
Eureka
Evangel University
Fairmont State University
Faulkner University
Ferris State University
Flagler College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Christian College
Florida Coastal School of Law
Florida Community College
Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida Southern College
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State University
Florida Technical College
Foothill College
Forman Christian College University
Forsyth Technical Community College
Fort Lewis College
Francis Marion University
Franklin College
Freed-Hardeman University
Friends University
Front Range Community College
Fruitland Bible Institute
Full Sail University
Furman University
Gaba Bible Institute (Uganda)
Gadsden State Community College
Gainesville State College
Gardner-Webb University
Gaston College
Geneva College
George Mason University
Georgetown College
Georgetown University
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Highlands College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Military College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Georgia Perimeter College
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia State University
Germanna Community College
Gettysburg College
Global University
Gloucester County College
Gordon College
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary – Charlotte
Grace College
Grand Valley State University
Greenville College
Greenville Technical College
Griffin Technical College
Grove City College
Guilford Technical Community College
Gulf Coast Community College
Gulu University (Uganda)
Gwinnett Technical College
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Hanover College
Harding University
Harper College
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harvard University
Hawaii Pacific University
Haywood Community College
Heartland Community College
High Point University
Hillsborough Community College
Hinds Community College
Holmes Community College
Hope College
Hopkinsville Community College
Houghton College
Houston Baptist University
Houston Community College
Howard Payne University
Huntingdon College
Huntington University
Illinois Central College
Illinois State University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indian River State College
Indiana State University
Indiana University
Indiana University – South Bend
Indiana University – Southeast
Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University-Purdue University – Fort Wayne
Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis
Indiana Wesleyan University
Iowa Western Community College
Isothermal Community College
Itawamba Community College
ITT Technical Institute
ITT Technical Institute – Lexington
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College – Fort Wayne
J. F. Drake State Technical College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Jackson State Community College
Jackson State University
Jacksonville State University
James Madison University
Jefferson College
Jefferson Community & Technical College
Jefferson Community College
Jefferson State Community College
Jefferson State University
John A. Logan College
John Brown University
Johnson Bible College
Johnson County Community College
Jones County Junior College
Judson University
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kankakee Community College
Kansas State University
Kean University
Keiser University
Kellogg Community College
Kendall College of Art and Design
Kennesaw State University
Kent State University
Kettering University
Kilgore College
King College
Kings College
Kingwood College
Kishwaukee College
Kutztown University
Kuyper College
L. E. Fletcher Technical Community College
La Salle University
LaGrange College
LaGuardia Community College
Lahore
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lamar University
Lancaster Bible College
Lander University
Las Positas Community College
Lee University
Leeward Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Lenoir-Rhyne University
LeTourneau University
Liberty Theological Seminary
Liberty University
Lincoln Christian University
Lincoln Land Community College
Lincoln Memorial University
Lipscomb University
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lone Star College
Lone Star College – CyFair
Long Island University – C.W. Post
Longview Community College
Longwood University
Los Medanos College
Louisiana College
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Tech University
Louisville Bible College
Loyola University
Loyola University – Chicago
Luther Rice Seminary & University
Lynchburg College
Lyon College
Mackenzie
Macon State College
Madonna University
Makerere University
Malone University
Manhattan Christian College
Marietta College
Marquette University
Mars Hill College
Marshall University
Maryville College
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
MCCC
McKendree University
McMaster Divinity College
McMaster University
McNeese State University
Medical College of Georgia
Mercer University
Meredith College
Meridian Community College
Messiah College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Miami Dade College
Miami University of Ohio
Michigan State University
Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary
Mid South Community College
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Mid-America Christian University
Mid-Continent University
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Middle Georgia College
Middle Tennessee State University
Midlands Technical College
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Midwestern State University
Millersville University
Milligan College
Misjons Hogskolen (MHS – School of Mission and Theology – Norway)
Mississippi College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi State University
Mississippi University for Women
Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern University
Missouri State University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Mitchell Community College
MMI
Montgomery College
Montgomery County Community College
Moody Bible Institute
Morehead State University
Morehouse College
Morton College
Motlow State Community College
Mott Community College
Mount Olive College
Mount Union College
Mountain View College
Murray State University
Nashville State Community College
National College
Navarro College
New College
New Mexico State University
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New York Institute of Technology
New York University
Newberry College
Newburgh Theological Seminary
Niagara County Community College
Niagara University
Nicholls State University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
North Central Texas College
North Dakota State University
North Florida Community College
North Georgia College & State University
North Georgia Technical College
North Greenville University
North Lake College
North Park University
Northeast State Community College
Northeastern State University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Maine Community College
Northern Oklahoma College
Northern Seminary
Northern Virginia Community College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Northwest Community College
Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Northwestern College
Northwestern State University
Northwestern University
Northwood University
Nova Scotia Community College (Canada)
Oakland Community College
Oakland University
Oglethorpe University
Ohio Northern University
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma State University
Old Dominion University
Olivet Nazarene University
Onondaga Community College
Oral Roberts University
Ouachita Baptist University
OWC
Owens Community College
OWU
Oxford College at Emory University
Ozark Christian College
Ozarks Technical Community College
Pace University – Pleasantville
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palmer Theological Seminary
Panola College
Parkland College
Pasco-Hernando Community College
Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology
Pearl River Community College
Pellissippi State Community College
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania State University
Pensacola Christian College
Pensacola Junior College
Philadelphia Biblical University
Piedmont Baptist College
Piedmont College
Piedmont College – Demorest
Piedmont Technical College
Piedmont Valley Community College
Pittsburg State University
Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Polk State College
Portland State University
Princeton University
Pulaski Technical College
Purdue University
Queens University
Radford University
Rappahannock Community College
Red River College
Reformed Theological Seminary
Regent University
Reinhardt College
Rhema Bible Training Center
Rhodes College
Rice University
Richmont Graduate University
Rider University
Roane State Community College
Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester College
Rock Valley College
Rockbridge Seminary
Rockhurst University
Rockingham Community College
Rogers State University
Rollins College
Rowan University
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Rutgers University
Sacramento
Saint Catharine College
Saint Louis University
Saint Petersburg College
Salt Lake Community College
Sam Houston State University
Samford University
San Francisco State University
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College – South
San Jose State University
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe Community College
Santa Monica College
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta
Savannah Technical College
School of Visual Arts
Scott Community College
Seminole Community College
Seminole State College
Seton Hall University
SFU
Shelton State Community College
Shepherd University
Shippensburg University
Shorter College
Simpson University
SLU
Snead State Community College
Somerset Community College
South Dakota State University
Southeast Community College
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Bible College
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southeastern University
Southern Adventist University
Southern Arkansas University
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Southern Nazarene University
Southern Polytechnic State University
Southern Seminary
Southern Union State Community College
Southern University
Southern Wesleyan University
Southwest Baptist University
Southwest Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southwestern College
Southwestern Community College
Southwestern Illinois College
Southwestern University
Sowela Technical Community College
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg Methodist College
Spelman College
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud Technical College
St. Edward’s University
St. Johns River Community College
St. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College – Meramec
St. Petersburg College
Stanford University
Stark State College
State College of Florida
State University of New York – Oswego
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stetson University
Stony Brook University
Surry Community College
Swinburne University of Technology (Australia)
Syracuse University
Tabor College
Tarleton State University
Tarrant County College
Taylor University
Temple University
Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Temple University
Tennessee Wesleyan College
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University – Galveston
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Texas Woman’s University
The Citadel
The College at Southeastern
The Master’s College
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Nelson Community College
Three Rivers Community College
Tidewater Community College
Toccoa Falls College
Towson University
Transylvania University
Trevecca Nazarene University
Tri-County Technical College
Trident Technical College
Trinity Christian College
Trinity College
Trinity International University
Trinity Western University
Triton College
Troy University
Troy University – Dothan
Troy University – Montgomery
Truett-McConnell College
Truman State University
Tufts University
Tulane University
Tulsa Community College
Tyler Junior College
Union College
Union University
United States Air Force Academy
United States Naval Academy
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Brazil)
Universitetet i Stavanger (University of Stavanger – Norway)
University at Buffalo
University of Akron
University of Alabama
University of Alabama – Birmingham
University of Alabama – Huntsville
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas – Community College at Batesville
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
University of Arkansas – Little Rock
University of Arkansas – Monticello
University of Baguio (Philippines)
University of British Columbia (Canada)
University of California
University of California – Berkeley
University of California – Davis
University of California – Irvine
University of California – Los Angeles
University of California – San Diego
University of California Museum of Paleontology
University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Florida
University of Central Missouri
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado
University of Colorado – Denver
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Evansville
University of Exeter (United Kingdom)
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Georgia – Oconee
University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii – Manoa
University of Houston
University of Illinois
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
University of Indianapolis
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Louisiana
University of Louisiana – Monroe
University of Louisville
University of Maine – Presque Isle
University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
University of Manitoba (Canada)
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts – Boston
University of Melbourne (Australia)
University of Memphis
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Michigan – Flint
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Missouri – Kansas City
University of Mobile
University of Montevallo
University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska – Kearney
University of Nevada
University of New Mexico
University of New Orleans
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of North Alabama
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina – Asheville
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina – Charlotte
University of North Carolina – Greensboro
University of North Carolina – Wilmington
University of North Florida
University of North Texas
University of Northern Iowa
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Pennsylvania
University of Phoenix
University of Pittsburgh
University of Prince Edward Island (Canada)
University of Regina (Canada)
University of Rochester
University of Saint Thomas
University of Sioux Falls
University of South Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina – Aiken
University of South Carolina – Beaufort
University of South Carolina – Lancaster
University of South Carolina – Upstate
University of South Florida
University of South Florida – Manatee Communtiy College
University of Southern California
University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Mississippi
University of St. Augustine
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee – Chattanooga
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
University of Tennessee – Martin
University of Texas
University of Texas – Arlington
University of Texas – Dallas
University of Texas – Houston
University of Texas – San Antonio
University of Texas – Tyler
University of the Cumberlands
University of the Cumberlands
University of the Pacific
University of the South
University of the West of England (United Kingdom)
University of the Witwatersrand – Johannesburg (South Africa)
University of Tulsa
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Waterloo (Canada)
University of West Florida
University of West Georgia
University of Western Ontario (Canada)
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin – Parkside
University of Wisconsin – Waukesha
University of Wollongong (Australia)
Urban Dance Centre
Utah State University
Utah Valley University
UTI
Valdosta State University
Valdosta Technical College
Valencia Community College
Valley Forge Christian College
Vanderbilt University
Vanguard University of Southern California
Vassar College
Victoria
Villanova University
Vincennes University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Wesleyan College
Volunteer State Community College
Wake Forest University
Wake Technical Community College
Walden University
Wallace State Community College
Walters State Community College
Warner University
Wartburg College
Washburn University
Washington and Lee University
Washington Bible College
Washington State Community College
Washington University in St. Louis
Waycross College
Wayland Baptist University
WCU
Weatherford College
Weber State University
Webster College
Webster University
West Chester University
West Coast Bible College
West Georgia Technical College
West Kentucky Community & Technical College
West Liberty University
West Texas A&M University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Western Carolina University
Western Illinois University
Western Kentucky University
Western Michigan University
Western Oregon University
Westmoreland County Community College
Wharton County Junior College
Wheaton College
Wichita State University
William Carey University
Williams Baptist College
Wilmington College of Ohio
Windsor
Wingate University
Winthrop University
Wofford College
Wright State University
Yale University
York Technical College
Young Harris College

Can’t wait to watch this list get even longer!
Louie

Sometimes.
Night closes in.
Darkness falls.
Brightness fades.
Day is gone.
Say what you want.
Think what you will.
But it’s true.
It’s there.
It’s real.
Suffering and pain.
Sometimes.
Anytime.
Is a long time.
When pitch black crawls.
At midnight’s call.

Yet all is not lost.
For something shimmers there.
Like stars above.
Canyon floors.
In that crevice low.
They fall so near.
So radiant seem.
Gladly beaconing.
Heaven’s lights.
At fingertips.
Always there.
But now so bleak the skies.
Like fireflies close they shine.
Only here.
In the deep, deep depths.
I see.

I don’t like suffering.
Disease.
Death.
Or pain.
Or broken things.
But when they come.
God is near.
Everything more clear.
In the surreal.
Is real.
Grace appears.
When sorrow comes.
I know I need the crushing waves.
Buffeting as they may.
To wash me over.
Into the day.

LG

So crazy that it’s October 16 already!!  Fall is flying by and 2010 is getting closer by the day.

If you’re the Facebook type, join Passion Twenty Ten Group here and stay connected to all that’s current on as we head to Atlanta.

If you prefer to Tweet, follow @Passion268.

News about upcoming Passion 2010 Uni Tour with Hall/FEE here. Limited number of campuses and coming fast.  Mississippi State, you’re up first on November 2, so get things rolling strong!  Great chance to introduce your friends to what Passion is all about. Tickets are $5 and available now!

New Passion Podcast with FEE online any minute now.

LG

Person A.  Christmas can never come too soon!
Person B.  Please, let’s get through Thanksgiving first!

For person A, Chris Tomlin’s latest release-Glory In The Highest, Christmas Songs Of Worship-arrives everywhere tomorrow, 10/6/09! Live, corporate, Christmas worship, it’s powerful in its simplicity and breadth, with new and old songs of Christmas joy and faith.

For Person B, sorry to disturb you.  Will be back with more on the amazing new Christmas CD from CT later this fall.

Now or later, we’re excited!

Louie

It’s more than a nice tag line for the Passion Movement when we say–The Wave Is Growing Into A Global Awakening! Actually, it’s an affirmation of what God is doing throughout the world in the rising generation of those who have found healing in His wings and want to make Him famous in all they do.

Exhibit A. This past Friday night “Passion Kampala” happened on the edge of the campus of Makerere University, home to over 30,000 students! What, you say? I didn’t know you guys were back in Africa! Well, technically, we weren’t. But our hearts were there as some of our partners from the Passion World Tour continued to build on what is happening there and hosted their own gathering to unite the students around the glory of Jesus Christ.  Students packed out the event as the pastors and leaders there said it was the best response yet.

To that, I say right on! Kampala, we are with you and believe that this generation of university students can be used by God to bring healing, light, mercy, creativity and truth to Uganda.

Slightly closer to home, our friends Chris Tomlin and Kristian Stanfill are in Montreal, embarking on a trek across Canada, uniting the Church in worship as they go.  More than concerts or events, these nights have the potential to plant belief, encourage faith and stir the Church to its full potential in that nation.  I am so excited our friends are there and am praying for the power of the Spirit of God as they go.

And speaking of which, our team is spread far and wide as Matt is in Casper, Wyoming, gathering the church in worship with Casting Crowns as part of their tour and DC*B launches the Church Music Tour (thank you so, so much, by the way, for your thoughtful and plentiful Church Music comments!!) tonight in lovely San Antonio.

Christ be exalted.  Story of grace and hope proclaimed. Lives be healed. Light shine.  Global hearts awakened.

Louie

Whether the lovely vinyl (which is now sold out, sadly, and relegated to the likes of ebay), a digital download or an actual compact disc, Church Music from THE DC*B has now made it into many hands and hearts, not to mention #3 at iTunes and into the Top Ten on trending topics for twitter yesterday (#churchmusic), and we want to hear from you…I want to hear from you.

Based on the recent comment traffic, I am going out on a huge limb here (or maybe a shaky little branch), but our goal is to get your feedback on the new Church Music offering (hopefully you are loving it as much as I am!) and we’d really like to get more than a few responses!

I think it’s been since Asia and the crazy Kuala Lumpur people that we have had more than 30-something comments on the Blog, so I’m wondering….

My personal favs from Church Music on repeat more often than not are tracks 4, 6 and 15, but I can’t not let the whole thing play beautifully and seamlessly from start to finish at times, either.

If you have no Church Music, get it today! Once you are “robed up” and listening, leave a happy amen here…

Waiting for your replies,

Pastor Louie

And, in case you missed it, there’s a great interview with Crowder about Church Music on the Passion Podcast now.

It’s been a pretty crazy, but immensely beautiful, week in Passion world…starting with last Sunday night:

Walking with my friend CT to church.
Well, a different kind of church.
Sold out Soldier Field.
Eighty thousand strong.
The people of the world going to worship.
You, too?
Bono said it was church.
Anthems of a generation.
I saw grace and compassion, though.
And saw sun come up.
Crazy early flight.
Live Link bound.
ATL, GA.
Students joining.
Passion spreading.
Wave is growing.
120 students in room with us = happiness.
14,000 joining via web.
America + 43 other nations.
Technology shrinks globe.
One spiritual space.
One voice.
One hope.
Jesus.
Thousands of people.
Praying. Singing. Believing.
China and Connecticut.
Burkina Faso and Baltimore.
Malaysia and Mississippi.
Ukraine and Utah.
Ireland and Idaho.
Great Brittan and Georgia.
South Africa and South Dakota.
We missed Hannah, though.
And our tears joined hers.
Met Bozo.
Smile.
God smiles on Bozo.
We want to smile on Bozo, too.
I believe Bozo will sing His song.
Soon.
Link ends.
Access continues.
Our guests and friends.
College campus/church leaders.
In our space at Passion House.
We love college leaders!
LOVE THEM.
The are the front-line servants of the movement we seek to foster.
We hang out.
We were still.
Loud.
Honest.
United.
Encouraged.
Good bye leaders.
We are with you.
See you soon.
Night falls Tuesday.
First big 2010 registration deadline.
Watching computer screens.
Thousands pouring in.
Man, nights like this fire me up!
Not about numbers, though numbers very cool.
But seeing people’s names.
People.
You.
Wednesday night church.
Old school?
PCC.
Core team.
On our knees.
Hearing God’s Word.
Speaking faith.
Covering our weekend gathering.
Thursday calm?
No way.
Everything’s buzzing.
Crowder coming.
sixsteps crunching.
Talk preparing.
Readying Passion.
Friday brings more friends.
Amazing friends!
Volunteer Team Leaders for Passion 2010.
These people make it happen.
We = small staff team.
They = our horsepower.
Passion 2010 planning officially underway.
Vision first.
Then the details.
Many details.
Looking around room thinking-What a team!
We can do this.
Saturday goodbyes.
Sunday church.
Early load in.
Fantastic team.
Finally, this day has come.
Passion City Church gathered again.
Soggy day.
Solid night.
Cobb Energy Centre energetic.
Grace amplified.
Jesus celebrated.
People cared for.
Met new friends from Bhutan.
Bhutan is a country!
Refugees displaced from their home.
But welcomed here.
The Church should be the first to welcome refugees.
I was a refugee when Jesus welcomed me.
Worship rising.
Church happening.
Not a building.
Don’t have one.
But people.
His.
So, so good.
Great night.
Early flight.
Through clouds and rain.
Sunny Texas landing.
Celebrating with radio winners at Crowder’s for lunch.
Rudy’s anyone?
Tonight DCB plays new Church Music.
Sold out.
Word is a robot will join band and play drums.
Only Crowder.
Tomorrow, album arrives to world as we fly home.

Humbled. Depending. Covered by your prayers. Excited.

Monday night’s Passion 2010 Live Link was such a beautiful and powerful time as 14000 of us connected from 43 nations and over 5000 locations around the globe. Yet, among the thousands who were with us our hearts were breaking for one who was not.

If you joined the Link or have followed this Blog, you know about Hannah, an amazing recent college grad who messaged us a few days before the Link from west Africa where she is working to share the light of grace among the Bozo people.

Hannah put the whole Live Link in perspective, and we were determined to pray for her during the night, and for the Bozo, an unreached nomadic Muslim people group numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

As the Link approached, we reached out to Hannah (who is from the Atlanta area) to find out more about her and the work of which she was a part. Monday morning an email arrived from Mali that made us smile…

Hey, wow, never thought one little blog comment would lead to so many supporters and prayers for the Bozo! God continues to blow my mind when I am not even expecting it.

So about me, um, I like traveling, hiking, spontaneous road trips, shrimp and grits….ok ok I’m guessing this isn’t actually the information you were looking for, i kid i kid.

Actually, I graduated from the University of Georgia just over a year ago and headed to Mali to work with the Bozo in April. I’ll be here for 2 years working to translate a chronological Bible story set into Bozo Tigemaxo (one of the four Bozo dialects) and trekking up and down the Niger river to share this amazing story of Jesus in Bozo villages. Most days, having this responsibility of sharing with a Bozo man or woman the story of Christ for the very first time is so daunting and overwhelming. I question so much, wow, “who am I to get this privilege?” But I am also constantly reminded that God decided to make His name famous here and in every nation a long time ago and certainly has the power to make His name famous among the hardened hearts of the Bozo.

So about how I got here, I don’t even know where to begin. It has been a long journey that I was sure would break me before I ever actually got to Mali. I’ll fill you in on the condensed version. So many factors including BCM ministers at UGA, summer missions trips, Passion Conference ‘07, a car accident leading to the death of one of the best people I have ever known and my best friend Miley and lots of hospital time for me, and the unavoidable desire and calling I had to make Jesus known among people who had never heard are what got me here. After being surrounded by some of the most amazing people at UGA who were dedicated to sharing the gospel everyday among college students I knew I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines anymore soaking up the “wow factor” and energy I got from seeing these people at work. I started looking into mission opportunities around the world and God led me to Mali, west Africa and the Bozo. If you knew me better you would understand that working with a people group called the Bozo is so fitting!

Currently there are no known believers among the Bozo and they are considered one of the toughest people groups in west Africa to reach because of their nomadic lifestyles. I ask that prayers be lifted for the Bozo people, that they would turn away from their idols, from their empty religion and turn instead to the true Father and Creator of the universe.

Thanks so much and I can’t wait for LiveLink tonight, I really hope the internet will hold out so I can be a part of it.

hannah

Can you imagine being in the heart of Mali and suddenly God marshaling thousands of people on every continent to pray for you and the people you are giving your life to reach?

But, then Monday took a difficult turn as we learned (even before Hannah did) that her mom had suddenly died of a heart attack here in Atlanta that day.  Soon, that crushing news would reach Hannah in Mali.

Tears flowed.  Yet God’s sovereign grace shined through.

Suddenly, the Passion Live Link became so much more… and I knew we were on holy ground.  Not only because we were worshiping the Maker of all, but because the Creator of the Universe was using our little gathering to extend His arms to a daughter who’s heart was breaking.  2 Chronicles 16:9 came rushing in to frame the moment: For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may show Himself to be strong on behalf of those whose heart is completely His.

As we prayed for Hannah during the Link, and for the beautiful Bozo of Mali, she was on a flight to Paris that would eventually lead her home.  And today, as I type this post, she is celebrating the life of her mom, Anitria, and laying her body to rest.

Hannah’s mom loved Jesus, served him well and gave her life to seeing children grow and understand just how amazing He is.  As I talked with Hannah this morning, I assured her many around the world were praying for her family and for the Bozo, for whom I trust in some way God will redeem her mother’s death until Jesus’ name is known and praised in their tongue.

We love you, Hannah,

Louie/Shelley and all in the Passion Movement