Winter Jam Christian concert

CONCERT — the WINTER JAM 2008 Christian concert tonight at the University of Miami Convocation Center.  It featured MercyMe (praise & worship), BarlowGirl (rock), Skillet (hard rock), and newer groups like NewSong (praise & worship), Group 1 Crew (hip-hop) and Mandisa (vocalist).  I met up with the youth group of my home parish who got a bus full of kids.

After Group 1 Crew (hip hop good enough for me to buy their CD).  An extreme BMX Skate Team did some stunts (for Jesus, I guess) followed by Mandisa (from American Idol).  Then came NewSong, Skillet, BarlowGirl and finally MercyMe.
     
In between acts were speakers (like Tony Nolan), an altercall, and financial pleas for poverty and supporting more of these events.  Hooking people with a $10 ticket price, making the concert into a “ministry,” then suggesting to write a check for $100 or $1000+ (if you’ve been “blessed”) to a crowd 90% children and then praying to respond to what God really wants you to do.  We should be encouraging our sacrificial financial gifts to go to our accountable local churches for self-less causes, not independent “ministry” companies that entertain.    – shameless, but good performances