Winter Jam '09 fills Crown with joyful noise

In an evening that featured breakdancing, beatboxing and rock ’n’ roll, it was clear that Saturday’s Winter Jam concert at the Crown Coliseum was not your father’s youth ministry event.

The performance, headlined by 2008 Gospel Music Association Artist of the Year tobyMac, brought in close to 9,000 fans of contemporary Christian music, the majority of whom braved windy and chilly weather by standing in line for at least an hour before the 6p.m. start time. The coliseum’s parking lot was packed with church vans and buses of all shapes, sizes, and — in testament to Winter Jam’s mass appeal — denominations.

A high-energy, fast-paced affair, Winter Jam proved why it’s the largest annual Christian music tour.

The evening began quickly with songs from up-and-coming Christian artist Francesca Battistelli, whose angelic vocals and infectious smile carried her piano-pop sound into the hearts of the appreciative audience.

Immediately afterward, NewSong, the founders and host of Winter Jam, took to the stage, further energizing the already-on-its-feet crowd. Led by Billy Goodwin, the quartet performed several fan favorites, including “Blessed Be Your Name,” “Arise, My Love” and “Psalm 40.”

“We sing not just because we like to sing,” Goodwin explained to the crowd. “We sing because we’ve experienced the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Amen!”

It would be a night filled with “amens,” as Winter Jam deftly mixed music and message to spread the gospel.

“It’s great to see so many young people responding not just to the music,” said Francis Kinley, “but to the message.”

The 43-year-old school teacher said she traveled from South Carolina to see the concert with her husband, Roy.

“It makes my heart glad that so many teenagers and young people can come to know God this way — and it doesn’t hurt to have a great time while doing it,” Roy added.

There were plenty of good times to be had. Hawk Nelson, the night’s next act, brought an incredibly active stage show that bordered on a Blink-182 level of energy.

The quartet took the stage to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and they weren’t kidding. Lead singer and guitarist Jason Dunn had the crowd — especially its female members — on its feet, clapping and singing.

A rollicking and rockin’ number, “Bring ‘Em Out” was a crowd favorite that surged with exuberance. It probably provided the evening’s closest equivalent of a mosh pit on the front row.

The band also performed “Let’s Dance” and “Ancient History,” both of which were favorites of Anna Salazar. The 17-year-old came to Winter Jam with other members of her church, though she’s not a member of a youth group — yet.

“This is a lot of fun,” Salazar said. “But I like how they talk about living for God and they’re not talking down to us. It makes me think about church differently.”

That can only be good news for Winter Jam organizers and pastors alike. If not, then the several hundred in attendance who pledged their lives to Christ Saturday has to be a good sign that Winter Jam is accomplishing its goals. And it was only the third night of the 10-week tour.

Special guest speaker Tony Nolan led the evening’s outreach efforts, balancing his message of redemption with moments of levity.

“You can’t text message or e-mail God,” Nolan said. “But the good news is that God’s already texted us; the Bible is the biggest text message in the world!”

After Nolan spoke and an offering was passed, Brandon Heath, 2008 GMA New Artist Of The Year, performed. Heath’s mix of rock and acoustic on songs such as “I’m Not Who I Was” and “Give Me Your Eyes” provided additional highlights in an evening already filled with them.

And then tobyMac, decked out in purple and black and sporting a clever fedora, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. accompanied by air raid sirens, a trio of singers, two guitarists, a drummer and a DJ.

“All of you Jesus freaks scream!” tobyMac yelled before tearing into “One World.” The crowd uproariously responded as told, making quite the joyful noise.


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