Way-Back-Wednesday #15: Passion

I've been talking about this thing called Passion for a few days now.  What is it, you ask?  What started out as a small idea many years ago, has transformed into a group of 45,000 college age kids worshipping and praising together in Atlanta.  Check out the website here to read more about it.  Words can't describe the amazing things that happen at Passion, but I'll try to explain a bit...since that's the point of today's post!  

One of my best friends, Tino, convinced me to go to this conference in January 2010.  I was excited, but truly had no idea what I was getting myself into.  6 of us went that year from McFarlin.  

Stephanie, Matt, Lydia at Passion 2010

You go, go, go from 8 am until midnight, with different worship services, different break-out sessions, time to pray, etc.  There are late night concerts by famous Christian bands and singers such as Matt Redman, Hillsong United, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, etc.  I probably forgot a few, but seeing them live is breathtaking...and that's all you need to know.

Artwork done at Passion 2010

towels and socks.

In 2010, they started this idea that every person who comes to the conference is asked to bring a towel and some socks to give to the homeless in Atlanta.  Over the course of the conference, the towel and sock piles continue to grow, and grow, and grow...until they could be 15-20 feet tall.  I think at last years conference something like 80,000 pairs of socks were donated...by 25,000 college age students.  Pretty phenomenal, no?

So, six of us went in 2010.  I think 23 of us went in 2011.  And this year, there are 29 or 30 in the group of McFarlinites.  Tino has been the brave leader every year, always coordinating everything, doing a lot of the driving, going on basically no sleep.  Since Oklahoma to Atlanta is a pretty long drive, we have stopped and stayed in my hometown of Tuscaloosa each time.  This year, the group was too big to stay at University Presbyterian Church!  I'd say that's a good thing.  

Lydia and Tino--Passion 2011

Lyndsay, Katie, Stephanie, Kayla

Lydia, Gracie, Britney at Passion 2011

The Christian speakers they have at Passion are incredible to listen to.  Beth Moore, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, Andy Stanley, to name a few.  And let me tell you, if you ever have the chance to hear any one of them live, do it.

Tenth Avenue North concert-2011

Every year, they have a big area called "Do Something Now."  There are different organizations that help people in different ways--building wells in Africa, stopping human trafficking, rebuilding homes, etc.  You can choose which organization you feel called to give to.  Last year, over $1,000,000 was given.  This year, the focus of Do Something Now is to stop human trafficking.  More information about this years causes can be found here.

I'll end the post with some other pics from last year.  Enjoy :)

Bryce, Lydia, Katie, Collin-2011

Feed a child for a year for $50--at Passion 2011

The group in 2011

The group this year--2012!

The grand finale: last year at Passion during the 10th Avenue North concert, band did an impromptu performance that was a complete surprise and total crowd favorite.  I happened to catch the whole thing on video.