IN REVIEW: NEWSBOYS’ ‘LOVE RIOT,’ AUDREY ASSAD, JODY MCBRAYER MEREDITH ANDREWS INTO THE DEEP JOHN TIBBS WITHIN REACH PASSION’S INNOVATIVE PASTOR PROVES ‘SURRENDER’ ISN’T A WORD FOR THE WEAK FEB 15, 2016 God isn’t finished with you yet. #TheComebackStory louiegiglio.com/thecomeback Also Available: The Comeback Curriculum and Study Guide CONTENTS FEBRUARY 01, 2016 From the Editor LOUIE GIGLIO Publisher Michael Miller LOUIE GIGLIO Souls on fire—Passion 2016 fans Associate Publisher | Mixed Media Production the flames of faith, fortitude and Ross Cluver fearlessness Associate Publisher | Circulation & Marketing Smitty Wheeler Managing Editor Kevin Sparkman Designers MEREDITH ANDREWS Martina Ahlbrandt Joshua Jamison A recent trip in rediscovering the depths of God’s truths provided Contributing Editors Meredith Andrews a renewed Andy Argyrakis perspective and purpose for marriage, Matt Conner motherhood, and music Contributor Caroline Lusk Assistant Prod. Manager Paula Rozelle Hanback JOHN TIBBS A relative newcomer & true rock n’ Fulfillment & Customer Service Manager roll worshipper, the midwestern artist Jennifer Evenson prides himself on honest hard work, his musical roots, and genuine loyalty Customer Service Reps Janice Collier Arsenault Jason Lloyd Executive Dir. of Advertising DeDe Donatelli-Tarrant 805.987.5072 Reviews [email protected] Newsboys, Audrey Assad, Jody McBrayer + much Joel Stombres, 630.584.0213 more! [email protected] Account Executive Jon Edlin, 913.231.7333 [email protected] Web Ad Traffic Director Tamara Phillips www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 FROM THE EDITOR Renewal vs. Resolutions | It might seem more fitting that a short op-ed piece about renewal would be written around the time of new years. I’ve never been a huge fan of new years’ resolutions, mostly due to the fact that I’ve been terrible at keeping them—and usually not much longer than a week! So, am I finally getting around to writing my new years blurb, now that it’s February 15? Funny, but that’s not the case, here. Renewal, in the spiritual sense, is welcomed at any time. And for many of us, perhaps we’re just now coming into the realization that our lives are once again, back into that familiar end-of-the-year chaos. “I really wanted to start the year off right,” we might be moaning, while we spend another hour at work on Facebook, have a second slice of pie, or spout off that four-letter word. Stop. Take a deep breath. There’s good news! Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Whew. He loves us (always and forever)—and He will forgive and guide us, all the same, despite the gap between our best intentions from Jan. 1 and where we stand right now. Feeling a little lighter? Pray Psalm 51:10 to Jesus: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Strength for the road ahead: Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Walk out your next steps today Ephesians 4:23 in your head, …be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and seize the day, the month, the year renewed. Blessings, Kevin Sparkman Editor, CCM Magazine [email protected] FACEBOOK.COM/CCMMAGAZINE TWITTER.COM/CCMMAGAZINE INSTAGRAM.COM/CCMMAG www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 LOUIE GIGLIO www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-01-2016 Louie Giglio - Souls On Fire Passion 2016 fans the flames of faith, fortitude and fearlessness BY CAROLINE LUSK Almost twenty ago, a movement began. A handful of God’s faithful were given a mission to make the name of Jesus famous in the forthcoming generations. Since then, arenas around the country action the mandate of the Gospel to care for the least of these. have been packed with young people finding faith and putting into Under the guidance of Louie Giglio whom, alongside his wife Shelley, founded the Passion movement—and it has evolved into a yearly conference, a musical platform and an undeniable force of change. Sixsteprecords is home to worship leaders Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Christy N ockles and many more who have veritably shaped the landscape of modern worship. Passion Conferences were among the earliest movements to throw light on dollars to the eradication to such grave social injustice. the atrocity of human trafficking, raising hundreds of thousands of Just one month ago in January 2016, that clarion call of human justice was louder than ever, as students raised money to build a hospital in the polarizing country of Syria. Yet what is controversial began as a spark has most clearly become a passion ablaze. to some is merely the fulfillment of the gospel to others. And what CCM Magazine had the privilege of chatting with founder Louie Giglio about the movement, the momentum and what is next for the groundbreaking ministry. www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 LOUIELO GIG I CCM Magazine: As you approach the twenty-year mark with Passion. At this point, are there any ‘benchmarks’ you have yet to achieve? Louie Giglio: It’s interesting to consider, but there was a point fourteen years ago after One Day 2000 that we thought the mission of Passion might be complete...that we had served the purpose for which God set us in motion. Obviously, that wasn’t the case and God had more in store than we could imagine. We couldn’t be more grateful for what we have been able to be a part of the past two decades. So I guess the benchmark we are focused on is staying in step with Jesus in the days ahead. CCM: What did the 2016 Passion conference represent to you? How was it distinct from previous years? LG: in two cities in one seamless gathering. It worked better than expected On the and human felt like side, we it werewas a all first in onefor us—linkingbeautiful space three together. arenas So that’s a huge distinction. Yet, on the spiritual side, and it’s hard There was a depth...a clarity of calling in each session that felt just to quantify—2016 felt like one of our most significant gatherings. special seeing the durability of the vision across the years. Passion isas prettysignificant deep, as meaning our first that gathering 45 to 50-minute in 1997. For messages me, that’s by prettythinkers, theologians, preachers and pastors are not the norm for student conferences, but people fully leaned-in and the seed was surely planted. All that to say, it feels like we are tilted forward, and that’s a great thing after nineteen years. CCM: When you look at thousands of young people lifting their hands and giving of their time and money for others, what does www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 LOUIELO GIG I that say to you about the future of the church and of the country in general? LG: It says that the people who are writing off this generation might be looking in the wrong place. This generation is alert and willing to and His heartbeat for the world. engage at a significant level in response to glimpses of God’s glory The Church feels much stronger now than when we began twenty years ago. Leaders like David Platt, Matt Chandler and so many others were awakened and inspired in a Godward, and subsequently, a Church-ward direction sitting in Passion gatherings years ago. If this kind of fruit continues, it bodes well for the Church and the future. There have been a lot of knocks on the multi-labeled generations who have come through Passion (now “millennials”), but I wouldn’t count them out just yet! CCM: Music has always been an integral part of Passion. Why? What is it about music that bridges hearts and brings passion to life? LG: Sound is a vital component in the economy of God. Music touches us in its own unique way. And in the song there is an irrevocable and altruistic blending of voices into one. We are moved by God’s majesty and grace and the song helps us respond with mind, body and spirit. And the song unites us, fuels us...gives us our marching orders. So when we set out on this Passion journey we knew worship would be central. Not recordings, but worship. Honestly, all the albums and His name. the rest were just an overflow of wanting to see Jesus and amplify www.ccmmagazine.com/magazine/issues/feb-15-2016 LOUIELO GIG I CCM: Why have you been so committed to keeping social justice at the heart of Passion? LG: We believe worship and justice are two sides of the same coin, each inseparable from the other. God’s Word is clear, He loves songs and invites us to sing, but worship is a lifestyle more than just a song, and the song we must not forget is the one that propels us to carry His mercy and truth to those who have no voice. CCM: This year you raised money for a hospital in Syria. Given the controversy over allowing Syrian refugees into this country, what do you feel is our obligation as Christians to care for widows and orphans? How do you hope to inspire young people in that vein? LG: population Building migration a hospital from within the Syria Mideast is a to challenge the western and fliesworld. in But we arethe facenot calling of the politicalpeople to ramifications a political solution, brought but on a by gospel the current response.