It was drizzling as we walked from church to the PhilSports Arena just a few blocks south. As we made the turn from Julia Vargas Road to Meralco Avenue, the hug traffic build up was a give away that the PhilSports Arena will be filled with thousands of people.
A long line of people surrounded the whole block where the arena stand. The block, let me say, is unusually huge because in it are the Department of Education is, an international school, and a huge football stadium. you can just imagine how people would surround such a big city block!
The line moved and I walked on as I talked on the phone with Jourdan hoping I'd see them somewhere in the line. Before I knew it, I was standing inside the holding area near the lobby where I met James Tioco of Makati Gospel Church, Jayjay Lizarondo of Pasig Bible Baptist, and Beth Murray of Passion who handed me a wristband, and let me in.
I was suprised to find no chairs on the main floor! College kids were sitting on the floor. A kid from church called out my name who saved me a "seat" on the floor. In my mind I said, "Uh-oh, mosh pit!!!" (I hate mosh pits!). I made my way to my saved section when a pastor from the Christian Reformed Church and the Youth Commission Chair of Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches approached me. We talked (occasionally interrupted by "hi's" from people I know, and don't know) until the program began.
The service began with a video that segued to an awesome praise and worship led by Chris Tomlin and his team. It was beautiful seeing 8000 redeemed sing their praises to the Risen King! We sang The God of this City which was first sung in a brothel house in Pattaya, Thailand by a band of Irish worship leaders who got invited to perform in a bar, and presented Jesus in the process. The song is a prophetic claim that God's own Pattaya-- so is Manil, and everything else!
Chris Tomlin was joined by Louie Giglio to do some announcements and a presentation of what Passion Movement is. It was good he did so, because until about half an hour before the event, I was overhearing people talk about Passion being a "concert!" It was laso awesome to learn that a month ago at the Passion London, the people there committed to pray for the Manila event, and in turn, Manila was asked to pray for the one for Kuala Lumpur! Just a number of weeks ago, I was reading Tim Hughes' blog about Passion London where 3000 attended.
It's both amazing and disheartening to learn that the Christian Church in the global south (the southern hemisphere) is growing in leaps and bounds, while the northern churches have lost a great number of people due to the imminent secularism and materialism! This is evident in as simple as the Passion Gathering. Passion Kampala Uganda gathered 25,000 students, while the Paris event was attended by 1400. London had 3000, Manila had 8000+! God is moving in the global south! I know He will revive the church in the north too!
Kristian Stanfill led a second set of worship songs- both familiar hymns and new materials! He did a good mix of old and new songs that both warmed our hearts and lifted the name of Jesus!
The time came for Louie Giglio to preached about the "the Lord's renown" and our role in making His renown a driving force for our existence! He shared about Ashley Akinns and Fruitcake, reading directly from the Ashely's Journal- which is perhaps the most moving story I've ever heard in years (click here to read her story in Louie's blog). Her story, coupled with the Biblical teaching and the Spirit's prompting just made every heart at Passion last night so moved that each life will never be the same.
The event closed with another "wild" praise and worship time led by Chris Tomlin, interspersed with giving an offering, and encouragements from Louie!
PRAISE GOD FOR PASSION!
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