Amazing Link last night as students around the world gathered for His fame!  If you missed it, the Live Link is available for rebroadcast for the next 24 hours HERE!

And today is the day we have been waiting for. AWAKENING, the CD from Passion 2010, is available everywhere!  Two versions are at iTunes, a deluxe version and the regular 12-song CD. Get yours now!  Awakening.

–The link will be hosted at www.livelink.268generation.com.  Everything you need to know will be on that page later today.  How do you watch?  Just keep checking livelink.268generation.com throughout the day.  A countdown will start later this afternoon and when the Link begins a small “view window” will appear on your screen, we will be there saying hello to you, the link will be on, it will be amazing. (The faster your internet connection the better your LiveLink experience!)

–Unsure about what time that is where you live, use the time zone converter here.

–Over 876 groups and 8100 people have signed in so far (and these numbers are growing by the minute!).  Registering is not necessary, and many more are linking who have not signed in, but we’d love to know where you are linking from.  Sign in you or your group HERE.

–Our goal is to have over 1,000 groups and 10,000 people on the link by tonight!! (See the post below for a list of schools represented as of last week! Wow!).

–Can’t make tonight’s time work because of class or work, the LiveLink will be re-broadcast tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9.  Watch for times and details.

–The LiveLink is a grass roots movement.  You don’t need a huge organization, just a desire to worship and pray with students around the world and a computer!  There’s still time for many more people to log on and join us, so help spread the word throughout the day.

–Details for Passion 2011 will be released during the LiveLink AND registration will open at 12:00PM EST (noon) Tuesday.  We will announce city location and dates on the Link tonight!

–As well, information and tickets for World Tour cities will be announced on the Link tonight.

–Want to hear the songs from Passion: Awakening before the link tonight?  Yahoo is exclusively streaming the whole CD here.  The new CD will drop for Digital All Access people at midnight tonight and be available on iTunes after midnight and in stores everywhere Tuesday, March 9!

See you at 8:30PM!

Monday, March 8. 8:30-10:30PM EST.

(Thursday, March 4, 7:37 AM EST)

OK, can you update and update? I hope so, because that’s what we’re doing here. And yes, it’s early EST, but that’s because the updates are coming from sunny London where our team as been meeting with campus leaders in preparation for Passion London, May 14/15.  Cheers!

Momentum is growing for the Passion 2011 Live Link! We start the day today with 656 groups and over 6000 people having registered to let us know where they are going to be linking from.  Love it.  We have inserted below a current lists of schools represented so far…you may be surprised to know that someone across the quad or down the hall is listening in, as well!

The Live Link is totally a grass roots movement, so keep letting people know and we’ll make sure to keep updating the updates and let you know how we’re doing!

BTW/there most likely will be a replay of the Live Link sometime Tuesday for you guys that are stuck in class/work Monday night…or those of you who live on the other side of the world!  But, make no mistake, there’s something special about setting that alarm and joining us LIVE in the middle of the night!

See list below.  If your school is missing make sure to sign in here.

[Update, March 2, 7:29 AM EST]

We are growing! With just six days to go (depending on how you count!) there are now 530 groups and over 5000 people signed in for the Live Link! Groups have doubled since our last post one week ago.  Can we double again? Help spread the word, get your crew together and let us know where you’ll be linking from!

___________

Just 11 days to go until the Passion 2011 Live Link! We’ll be Up Linking from a new site in ATL with the Passion Team (no more low-tech Passion House back room stuff here!) and can’t wait to sing the songs from 2010 again as we pray for our campuses and the world. So far, 265 Groups have signed up, along with a bunch of individuals. We’d like to see this number get a whole lot bigger in the next 11 days!

Are you planning on joining the Link? If so, register you or your group here and let us know where you’ll be linking from. Sign In Here.

Most importantly, we need your help letting people know! If you’re planning to be with us, use the Icon above and help us boost our Facebook/Twitter presence as the countdown continues.

It’s going to be a great night!

____________

SCHOOLS LINKING IN AS OF MARCH 4:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Academia de Música Fermatta (Mexico)
Academy of Art University
Acadia University
Alderson-Broaddus College
Alvernia University
American River College
American University
Anderson University
Andrews University
Angeles University Foundation (Philippines)
Antonelli College
Appalachian State University
Aquinas College
Arizona State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas Tech University
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Art Institute of Atlanta
Asbury College
Assumption College
Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (Philippines)
Athens Technical College
Atlanta Christian College
Auburn University
Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand)
Austin Community College
Austin Peay State University
Avila University
Avondale College (Australia)
Azusa Pacific University
Baptist Bible College
Baptist College of Florida
Baton Rouge Community College
Baylor University
Belmont University
Benedictine College
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico)
Bergen Community College
Berklee College of Music
Berry College
Bethel University
Bevill State Community College
Biola University
Birmingham Southern College
Bloomsburg University
Blue Mountain College
Blue Ridge Community College
Boise State University
Boston University
Boyce College
Brevard Community College
Bridgewater College
Brigham Young University
British Columbia Institute of Technology (Canada)
Broward College
Butler University
Calhoun Community College
California Baptist University
California State Polytechnic University – Pomona
California State Polytechnic University – San Luis Obispo
California State University – Fresno
California State University – Sacramento
Cambridge College
Cameron University
Campbell University
Campbellsville University
Canadian University College (Canada)
Cape Fear Community College
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carson-Newman College
Catawba Valley Community College
Cedarville University
Central Connecticut State University
Central Florida Community College
Central Michigan University
Central Piedmont Community College
Charleston Southern University
Chattahoochee Technical College
Chipola College
Christopher Newport University
Cincinnati Christian University
City College
City University of New York – Queens College
Clayton State University
Clemson University
Cleveland State Community College
Coastal Carolina University
Coker College
College of Charleston
College of DuPage
College of Southern Nevada
Collin College
Columbia International University
Columbus State University
Crossroad Bible Institute
Culinary Institute of Virginia
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Theological Seminary
Darton College
Daytona State College
Delta College
Delta State University
DeSales University
DeVry University
Dominican House of Studies
Doshisha University (Japan)
Douglas College (Canada)
Drexel University
Drury University
East Arkansas Community College
East Carolina University
East Tennessee State University
East Texas Baptist University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eckerd College
Edgewood College
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elon University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emmanuel College
Emory University
Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)
ESAMC (Brazil)
ESPM – Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Eternity Bible College
Faculdade de Apucarana (Brazil)
Faulkner State Community College
Flagler College
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Christian College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida Southern College
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State University
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany)
Friends University
Full Sail University
Fundação Getulio Vargas
Furman University
Gadsden State Community College
Gainesville State College
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Highlands College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Perimeter College
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia State University
Gordon College
Grace College
Great Lakes Christian College
Griffin Technical College
Gulf Coast Community College
Gwinnett Technical College
Hardin-Simmons University
Harding University
Harvey Mudd College
Heartland Community College
Herzing University
High Point University
Hillsong College
Hinds Community College
Hofstra University
Holmes Community College
Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong)
Hope College
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Howard University
Humboldt State University
Huntington University
Illinois Central College
Illinois College
Illinois State University
Indian River State College
Indiana University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University-Purdue University – Fort Wayne
Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis
Indiana Wesleyan University
Institut Catholique de Paris (France)
Instituto Cultural Brasil Estados Unidos (Brazil)
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey – Querétaro (Mexico)
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey – Toluca (Mexico)
International Academy of Design and Technology – Detroit
Itawamba Community College
ITT Technical Institute
Jacksonville State University
James Cook University (Australia)
James Madison University
James River Leadership College
Jefferson State Community College
Judson College
Judson University
Kansas State University
Karl-Franzens-Universitaet Graz (Germany)
Kasetsart University (Thailand)
Kennesaw State University
Kent State University
King College
King’s Evangelical Divinity School (United Kingdom)
Korea University (South Korea)
Kuyper College
Kyiv National Economic University (Ukraine)
L’viv Concervatory (Ukraine)
Lake Erie College
Lake-Sumter Community College
Lamar University
Las Positas Community College
Lawrence University
Lee University
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lesley University
Liaoning Normal University (China)
Liberty University
Lincoln Memorial University
Lone Star College
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University – Eunice
Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center – School of Nursing
Louisiana Technical College
Luther Rice Seminary & University
Macon State College
Macquarie University (Australia)
Madonna University
Makerere University
Marshall University
Martin Methodist College
McNeese State University
Medical University of South Carolina
Mercer University
Mercer University School of Medicine
Meridian Community College
Messiah College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Miami University
Mid Michigan Community College
Mid-South Community College
Middle Tennessee State University
Midland College
Milligan College
Mississippi College
Mississippi Delta Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi State University
Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri State University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Monash University (Australia)
Montana State University – Billings
Montgomery College
Moody Bible Institute
Moorlands College (United Kingdom)
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Olive College
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Murray State University
Musicians Institute
Myongji University (South Korea)
National Institute of Education (Singapore)
National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (Ukraine)
National University of Food Technologies (Ukraine)
National University of Singapore (Singapore)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (South Africa)
New England School of Communications
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary – Graceville
New York Institute of Photography
New York University School of Medicine
Newcastle University (United Kingdom)
Nicholls State University
Nilai University College (Malaysia)
North Carolina State University
North Central University
North Georgia College & State University
North Greenville University
North Shore Community College
North-West University (South Africa)
Northeastern State University – Broken Arrow
Northern Arizona University
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Virginia Community College
Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwestern Michigan College
Oakland University
Ohio State University
Ohlone College
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Olivet Nazarene University
Oral Roberts University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach State College
Paradise Valley Community College
Park University
Parkland College
Pasco-Hernando Community College
Pearl River Community College
Pellissippi State Community College
Pennsylvania State University
Piedmont College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Pikes Peak Community College
Pima Community College
Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary (South Korea)
Pulaski Technical College
Purdue University
Queensland University of Technology (Australia)
Randolph-Macon University
Reinhardt College
Rhema Bible Training Center
Rice University
Roc Midden Nederland (Netherlands)
Rock Valley College
Rockbridge Seminary
Rockford College
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Royal Holloway, University of London (United Kingdom)
Rutgers University
Saint Leo University
Saint Mary’s University (Canada)
Sam Houston State University
Samford University
San Diego City College
San Joaquin Delta College
San Jose State University
Santa Fe College
SATT College (Malaysia)
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta
Scott Community College
Scripps College
Seminario Metodista Juan Wesley (Mexico)
Seminole State College
Senac São Paulo (Brazil)
Seoul National University (South Korea)
Sewanee, The University of the South
Shawnee State University
Shiloh University
Shorter College
Simon Fraser University (Canada)
Sinclair Community College
Somerset Community College
South China Agricultural University (China)
South Dakota State University
South Georgia College
South University
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern University
Southern Adventist University
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville School of Pharmacy
Southern Polytechnic State University
Southwest Baptist University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southwestern College
Sowela Technical Community College
Spring Arbor University
St. Clair College (Canada)
St. Cloud State University
St. Joseph’s College
St. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College – Wildwood
St. Petersburg College
Stanford University
State College of Florida
State University of New York – Albany
State University of New York – Buffalo
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stetson University
Swinburne University of Technology (Australia)
Talbot School of Theology
Tallahassee Community College
Tarrant County College
Tartu Kunstikool (Tartu Art School – Estonia)
Taylor University
Temple University
Tennessee Temple University
Texas A&M University
Texas State University – San Marcos
Texas Tech University
Thammasat University (Philippines)
The College of New Jersey
The College of William & Mary
The Juilliard School
The Master’s Seminary
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Three Rivers Community College
Tidewater Community College
Toccoa Falls College
Towson University
Transylvania University
Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevisan
Tri-County Technical College
Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Trinity Christian College
Trinity International University
Troy University
Truett-McConnell College
Tufts University
Tulsa Community College
Tyndale University College & Seminary (Canada)
Union University
Universidad Arturo Prat (Chile)
Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Mexico)
Universidad de Celaya (Mexico)
Universidad de las Américas Puebla (Mexico)
Universidad de Puerto Rico
Universidad del Centro de México (Mexico)
Universidad del Golfo de México (Mexico)
Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (Mexico)
Universidad Europea de Madrid (Spain)
Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla (Mexico)
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico)
Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Colombia)
Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (Brazil)
Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (Brazil)
Universidade de Santo Amaro (Brazil)
Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)
Universidade Estácio de Sá (Brazil)
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil)
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Brazil)
Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brazil)
Universidade Federal Fluminense (Brazil)
Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa (Portugal)
Universidade Paulista (Brazil)
Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (Brazil)
Universitas Pancasila (Indonesia)
Universitas Pelita Harapan (Indonesia)
Universitatea “Politehnica” din Timişoara (Romania)
Universitatea “Tibiscus” din Timişoara (Romania)
Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov (Romania)
Universitetet i Stavanger (Norway)
University of Alabama
University of Alabama – Birmingham
University of Alabama – Huntsville
University of Alaska Southeast
University of Alberta (Canada)
University of Arizona
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 Asia and the Pacific (Philippines)
University of British Columbia (Canada)
University of California – Davis
University of California – Los Angeles
University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
University of Central Arkansas
University of Central Florida
University of Central Missouri
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado
University of Delaware
University of Essex (United Kingdom)
University of Findlay
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Guyana – Berbice (Guyana)
University of Hawaii – Manoa
University of Hertfordshire (United Kingdom)
University of Houston
University of Illinois – Chicago
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
University of Kentucky
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa)
University of Leeds (United Kingdom)
University of Louisiana
University of Louisiana – Monroe
University of Louisville
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland
University of Mauritius (Republic of Mauritius)
University of Melbourne (Australia)
University of Memphis
University of Michigan
University of Michigan – Dearborn
University of Minnesota – Duluth
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Mobile
University of Nevada
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
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 Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Oradea (Romania)
University of Pennsylvania
University of Phoenix
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
University of Rhode Island
University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)
University of Saskatchewan (Canada)
University of Scranton
University of South Africa (South Africa)
University of South Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina – Aiken
University of South Florida
University of Southampton (United Kingdom)
University of Southern California
University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Mississippi
University of St. Thomas
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Tasmania (Australia)
University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee – Chattanooga
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
University of Tennessee – Martin
University of Texas
University of Texas – Tyler
University of the Philippines – Diliman (Philippines)
University of the Philippines – Los Banos (Philippines)
University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (Thailand)
University of the West Indies
University of Utah
University of Victoria (Canada)
University of Virginia
University of Waterloo (Canada)
University of West Florida
University of West Georgia
University of Western Sydney (Australia)
University of Winchester (United Kingdom)
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
University of Wollongong (Australia)
University of York (United Kingdom)
University of Zambia (Zambia)
Utsunomiya University (Japan)
Valdosta State University
Valencia Community College
Valley Forge Christian College
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Volunteer State Community College
Wake Technical Community College
Wallace Community College – Selma
Wallace State Community College
Walters State Community College
Washburn University
Washington Bible College
Washington University in St. Louis
Waycross College
Wayland Baptist University
Wayne State University
Weber State University
Wesley Theological Seminary
Wesleyan College
West Point – The United States Military Academy
West Texas A&M University
West Virginia University
Western Kentucky University
Western Michigan University
Westfield State College
William Carey University
William Jessup University
Winthrop University
Wisdom University Online
Wittenberg University
Word of Life Bible Institute
Yale University
York University (Canada)
Young Harris College

Passion 2011 Live Link.  March 8.  8:30-10:30PM EST. Your computer.

Once again, the race is on to see how many people around the globe we can link together in just EIGHTEEN days from now!  Yep, we know it’s short notice [and spring break week for some] but we are going for it, and counting on you to help spread the word.

For many of us, it will be the first time we are back together since Passion 2010.  So it’s going to be cool to sing the songs and believe again for what God wants to awaken in our lives and the places we call home.

All you need to be a part of the Passion 2011 Live Link is a computer!  [A high speed connection will help.]   You might be joining  us all alone from your dorm, with a group of friends at your church or with your whole ministry group at an on-campus location.  We have already heard from groups that are gathering momentum for big events (Oklahoma State) and students who are planning to link in from their spring break mission project in Guatemala.  So wherever/however you link with us, the whole idea is that you not miss this night!

We’ll be streaming live from Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 8:30-10:30 EST.  If you’re going to be a part of the Link let us know by signing up here.

In addition to singing some of the new songs from Passion: Awakening, we’ll be praying together and talking about plans for Passion 2011.  Many of you have been asking about 2011 dates.  Space to grow has posed a few challenges for 2011, but we’re almost there with a solution we are excited about and hope to release all the details in the days leading up to the Passion 2011 Live Link.  If all goes well, registration for Passion 2011 will open right after the Live Link ends on March 8.

It’s going to be a powerful night as the world collides for His renown!  Be there!

LiveLink.268generation.com.

LG

PS-The Link is free, but you will have a chance during the night to help with rebuilding efforts in Haiti!

Because so many of you have asked, the Passion 2010 Digital All Access Pass is back for a limited time!  The pass comes with a code that allows you to set up an online account to receive Passion 2010 content including:

Passion: Awakening, the full-length CD releasing on 03//09//10
All six main session talks in video format
3 bonus music tracks
The Passion 2010 Images video
A short Glimpse video recap of Passion 2010
The Watoto video from Worship + Justice breakout
The Do Something Now video from main session (to Shine by DC*B).

All this for only twenty bucks.  And, since stuff has already be delivered, as soon as you set up your account you’ll have bonus song #1 (Kristian Stanfill leading The Stand from the last session), main session talks from Piper, Beth, Chan, Andy and Louie’s first session message and the Image Video ready to download!

Louie’s second talk drops on 2/2 and a second bonus song drops 2/4, with the rest coming before the CD is delivered on 03//09//10.

It’s a pretty sweet deal and available only for a few weeks or while they last!

Click here to get yours now!

PS-Because you are asking.  Main session talks will all be available on one DVD or as a CD set by mid-February and Mp3s of all talks (most breakouts) will be available in the 268store any day now.

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

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)…

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

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

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.