A Glimpse of Main Stage – Monday Night
View Monday night’s Mainstage photos.
The ground literally shook while the crowd pulsed up and down, singing along with David Crowder, “We’re gonna dance like we’re saved!” Thompson-Boling arena was packed as the David Crowder Band led worship to open Main Stage Monday night. “I wish I could be here all week! You guys are nuts, I love it!” said Crowder.
Following Crowder’s phenomenal performance, Judy Peterson spoke on behalf of CHIC in another live connection via satellite with the team in Thailand.
The speaker for the evening, Shane Claiborne, a prominent activist for nonviolence and the redistribution of resources for the poor, spoke with students about sharing the love of Christ. He began by referencing 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, that without love, what we do is nothing.
Claiborne sketched a picture of true selflessness as he recounted the many ways he witnessed God’s love in the actions of Mother Teresa. After many phone calls, Claiborne contacted Mother Teresa and arranged a summer internship to serve side by side with her in Calcutta, India.
“The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away,” Claiborne said. We get the worst stuff out of our closets and give it to the poor, but Mother Teresa would say, “Don’t you dare!” We give our best to the poor because we’re giving to Jesus. The early Christians, as stated in Acts, did just this; they sold their possessions, giving to anyone in need.
Claiborne now works in Philadelphia, Pa., in a ministry to reach the homeless and shared a few of the experiences he has since working there. “This Jesus is our lover, this Jesus is our Savior. Nowadays I kind of shutter a bit because I don’t know what He’s going to get us into next,” said Claiborne.
We are called to shape our lives around the love of Christ. It does not matter if one is a doctor, a lawyer, a missionary or a different occupation, we are to be God’s body. We are called to be radical lovers who do not conform to the patterns of this world, Claiborne said.
In closing, Sharon of the CHIC worship band, seeming to be overcome with emotion and amazement at the working of God through the service, led CHIC-goers through a heartfelt benediction.
Thanks and praise GOD.
My son, Bennett (18), is having the time of his life and “growing closer to Jesus”.
He is down there with his church family from Glen Ellyn Cov (IL). He and a couple other special needs kids are able to experience the love of Christ through these other high schoolers and the leaders + entertainers.
Blessings to all,
Chip Borkowski