World travels inspired fundraising musical tour

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves has united with several other Christian artists for a tour that's also a fundraiser for international relief efforts.

The tour, called ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE, comes to Evansville's Christian Fellowship Church on Oct. 12. In addition to Groves, the lineup includes Brandon Heath (Christian music's New Artist of the Year), Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call), Sandra McCracken and Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer Charlie Peacock.

The purpose of the tour is to benefit both the International Justice Mission and Food for the Hungry.

Groves made trips to Rwanda and Southeast Asia, and through International Justice Mission she witnessed how much could be done to help victims of genocide, sexual exploitation and slavery.

"There is a huge difference between charity and justice. Justice means I'm going to fight for you," Groves said in a recent phone conversation. On her new album, "Tell Me What You Know," Groves made an effort to communicate all the joy and hope that have come from what she's learned. Seven of the songs are inspired by a young woman named Elizabeth, whom she met four years ago.

"Elizabeth, from Southeast Asia, was the oldest of seven, so she took a job in a nearby town to save money for Bible College. A woman she was traveling with betrayed her; Elizabeth was taken captive and sold to a brothel, where she was forced to see 10 to 15 men a day. Elizabeth prayed every night for God to rescue her, and that rescue came in the form of IJM, who was able to secure her freedom," Groves said.

Elizabeth is now a college graduate who uses her story to help others.

In Rwanda, Groves was struck by how one could see the most beautiful things and the most horrible things side by side.

"Hope next to the despair is Rwanda. Yet I learned that I don't know as much as I thought I did. These people are complex and proud."

Food for the Hungry and the International Justice Mission are helping artists and sponsors to partner with one community in Rwanda in the hopes of having every child in that community sponsored by the time the tour concludes.

People might feel helpless when they look at situations like those Groves witnessed in Rwanda and Southeast Asia, but Groves believes that "conviction comes in doses we can handle and guilt is a waste of time."

Partnering with filmmakers and National Geographic, Groves believes the concert will be a thought-provoking and hope-filled evening.

"We are all as Christians saved by grace, and Ephesians 2:10 tells us that Christ Jesus prepared good works for us to do. God is doing amazing things, and we get to be a part of it," Groves said.

Christian Music News Source