Bridging cultural barriers with the gospel Courtenay McCormick explains how Alpha reaches Hispanics in Tennessee
Rocking for the gospel Steve Beard survived Ichthus and lived to tell about it
What can an ancient burial box tell us about Jesus? Ben WitheringtonIII unveils the significance of the James ossuary
Still knocking on heaven’s door
Scott M. Marshall explains the significance of the new Bob Dylan tribute album
COLUMNS
Editorial
The Risk of Renewal Groups
Renew Women’s NetworkNaming, Blaming, and Shaming
Mortals & the DivineThe Sweet Soul Music of Al Green
The Next Generation Privatism: An Unholy Fear of Influence
The Great Commission Ministry Beyond the “Nine-Day Wonder”
From the Heart The Sabbath Date Day
DEPARTMENTS
Letters
to the editor
News Analysis Political propaganda pervades Response
UM membership figures show growth outside the U.S.
Bishop Sprague blasts “Christo-centric exclusivism”
British theologian N.T. Wright comes to defense of the Resurrection
Liberal UM activists publish new book on "conservative renewal groups”
Over 30 years ago, New Testament Professor Robert Lyon of Asbury Theological Seminary believed that there needed to be a Christian response to Woodstock—the 1969 rock and roll event that in many ways defined a generation. Three months later he was joined by 1,200 people in the tabernacle of the Wilmore Holiness Campground for the first Christian rock festival in America. It was advertised as “two days of music for less than the price of one album.”
The question arose from the grandfather of Christian rock and roll, Larry Norman: “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?” Of course, he was repeating the sentiment of William Booth (1829-1912), founder of the Salvation Army, who raised eyebrows when he used brass bands and borrowed “worldly” tunes.
Today, a different generation flocks to unusually quiet Wilmore, Kentucky—home of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. “Ichthus was born with the passion of John Wesley’s message of new life in Christ. We simply added the electric guitars, drums, and turned up the volume,” says Executive Director Jeff James. Judging from the vans in the vast parking lot, United Methodists make up a large percentage of the attendees. “Youth groups from all over the east have faithfully made our festival a destination point,” reports James. “Because of our history, there is a generational exchange that most festivals can’t experience. So many collegians and seminarians attend as students, go into ministry, and return with their youth groups. They pass on the torch to the next generation. We benefit from the cycle of this heritage—and we trust the blessing will be passed on to United Methodism.”
The crowd these days can no longer fit in the tabernacle as they did in 1970. Over 20,000 young people attended the festival held in late April. They experienced dynamic teaching, heartfelt worship, music on three stages, and a weather-related miracle that kept the crowds cheering. Though the event hosted 68 musical artists such as Pillar, Relient K, tobyMac, Jars of Clay, Delirious?, and Out of Eden, the primary focus has always been on encouraging its attendees to a deeper relationship with God.
“Our student-aged population is moving in spiritual pursuit,” says James. “They have seen through the veneer of consumer pop culture. We have an opportunity to offer God’s truth in a culturally relevant way or they will pass us as they would a hot dog stand on the way to a steak house.”
On the second evening of the festival, it became abundantly clear that God was still in the business of doing miracles. As severe weather closed all around the neighboring counties, local meteorologists were dumbfounded when a small circle of storm clearance hovered over the festival relieving the crowds from significant downpour. The Doppler Radar footage of the amazing reality was shown on the evening news even as surrounding areas were challenged with power outages.
Throughout the weekend, the concessions close and the music stops so that young people can flock to teaching tents to learn about issues such as discipleship and abstinence from pre-marital sex. Saturday’s communion service with 20,000 people is the most moving moment of the weekend, aside from, of course, seeing throngs of teens stream forward to respond to the gospel message.
Les Beauchamp, pastor of Trinity Church in Omaha, Nebraska, spoke on Saturday night with a parable of how we all must be willing to “give up our keys” to the Lord so that we can face the freedom needed to be able to go to the deepest places with Christ. After Beauchamp’s message, a life-long Buddhist commented, “I gave my life to Jesus because Buddha couldn’t take away my keys.”
Nearly 1000 attendees made firsttime commitments to follow God. “Well over 2,700 attendees made other spiritually related decisions while attending this year’s festival,” said James.
For some, the Ichthus weekend will begin a great adventure with God. For others, they will be challenged by the thoughts and lyrics of the artists. Still for others, it will be just a great time to hang out with thousands of other young people. Whatever they walk away with, Ichthus will remain a place where the next generations of seekers will be given the opportunity to find new life in Jesus Christ.
Steve Beard is the editor of Good News.
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