Passion 2008 // Dallas, TX

A handful of us attended the 2008 Regional Passion Conference in Dallas, TX this past weekend. I speak for all of us when I say that it was a powerful experience from start to finish. The music was incredible (and loud!), the messages were inspiring/challenging, and the movementof the Spirit was felt through it all.

I am not going to lie. The volume of the music made me feel a little old. A lot of bass. A lot of sound effects. A lot of intensity. I am officially old. :) Noise level aside, it was incredible. Just watching people like the David Crowder Band, the Chris Tomlin Band, Kristian Stanfill, and Christy Nockels is a sight to behold. Music done with excellence to the glory of God. Not to mention the fact that all around us were 6000+ college students being energized, inspired, and humbled by it all. It was a beautiful experience just to watch it all happen.

The messages were Spirit-filled and unbelievably convicting, encouraging, inspiring, and challenging. Yes, all of those things. Louie Giglio did not disappoint. He is such a gifted storyteller with a heart for The Story. He is passionate about our Overcoming God and in his belief that one life can make a difference for The Kingdom. Francis Chan was also awesome. He was funny and deep. A rare combination that blessed us all. I would love to hear him again and again, soon.

I am not sure that I've processed our weekend at Passion just yet. Every piece of it (including the unbelievable hospitality of our host family!) inspired me. All I know right now is that God is powerful and can do mighty things through each of us...individually and corporately. I knew that before, but Passion just reminded me of that. It is my prayer that we all take more seriously our part in The Story and that we seek to point out Christ daily for a world that is desperate to know Him.

The new Passion album is called "God of This City." The title track was written by Chris Tomlin. The entire song is a beautiful prayer we can pray for our campuses and for our world. The refrain really resonated with our group and I offer it to you today.

"Greater things have yet to come

and greater things are still to be done in this city."

May you begin to see and to play your part in the "greater things" still to be done on your campus, in your life, and in this world to the glory of God.