Passion 2010

This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Passion Conference in Atlanta. I arrived with an expectancy of worship and learning and what I experienced was an awakening. Ironic that this year's theme for the conference was "Awakening". 21,000 students filled the Phillips arena and Georgia World Center and 1.2 million dollars were raised for mission funds. Louie Giglio emphasized the need to exchange our "little" for God's "big" plan and that we must surrender what we hold onto to Him. Beth Moore talked about how God as already equipped us with everything we need to fulfill God's purpose, and that God uses both good and hard times in our lives to help shape us into what He needs us to be. God spoke through Francis Chan's breakout session of Holy suffering and that when we suffer with Christ, an intimate bond is formed between us and Christ which gives us inexpressible joy and peace. John Piper also dug deep into the Word with a profound statement that, "God is a God-centered God, not a man-centered God"- everything we do or that happens is for God's glory. Yes God is jealous for our love, but when we glorify His name, we experience a feeling of being right where we are supposed to be...because we were created for praising His name.
I had the personal experience to help send a new testament written in the Chinese language to underground church members who have requested for their own personal copies. It is an amazing experience to be able to know that someone will now have a Bible that they would otherwise not have and that I have a name of the person who will receive the Bible that I can pray for daily.
Of course worshiping under gifted musicians such as Tomlin, Redman, Christy Nockels, and Hall was amazing, but the best part was being able to sing the lyrics of the new songs after learning so much about the grace, mercy, and glory of God and applying that joy to my worship. 21,000 students all journeyed to Atlanta with one purpose in mind - to worship God - and God was definitely glorified.

Check out what passion is doing for the kingdom at their website: www.268generation.com