The "Love Rocks" Tour

THE STORY: "Love came and whispered a story that awakened a dream." - Bethany Dillon

Music has always been a part of my story...

    In the midst of a family tragedy, I found hope in forming a personal relationship with Christ at a rock concert.

    In 2004, Switchfoot asked me, "This is your life. Are you who you wanna be?" After answering with a resounding "no," I started actively giving myself over to God's will.

    About a year later, I was searching for love - and found it in Nickelback's line, “I’d walk through hell to hold your hand.” Through His death for me on the cross, Jesus is the only one who can truly make that claim. This passionate picture inspired me to look at Him in a new way.

    In the midst of an advertising career, I attended a conference that opened my eyes to world issues: Genocide in Darfur, poverty in India, and addictions in Austin. Knowing that I had creative gifts, a passion for people, and a desire to share God's love and redemption, I felt challenged. How could I stay in my cubicle?

    God had given me gifts – writing, photography, and graphic design – and I was only using them at Gateway, my local church. A fellow designer on the team, Sydney, told me she wanted to use her graphic design skills for an orphan-based non-profit. Instantly, I knew that dream was for me, too.

   I started browsing the internet, googling "Creative Arts Ministry." Amazingly, that's exactly what I found - in Sydney, Australia. 

THE NEED: “I walk a lonely road…on the boulevard of broken dreams.” – Green Day
Of the 1 million students in Australia, most face deep pressures to fit in & succeed. 

    I also found a worthy cause with the 1 million students of Australia. Among the students, suicide, car wrecks, and drug overdoses account for large portions of youth deaths¹, and there are approximately 37,000 homeless youth² in New South Wales alone.

   Once out of school, large parties, called Schoolies, mark graduation – and though some of them are drug and alcohol free, other celebrations are noted for dangerous mixes of ages, alcohol, drugs and promiscuity³. On the job front, youth endure the cutbacks in apprenticeships (jobs in training) and a tough world economy⁴. This generation needs help!

1. ½ of male deaths, ⅓ of female deaths, age 15-34. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005
2. Combined total for youth 37,000 aged 12-18, and 19-24 National Youth Commission, 2006
3. Transcript of schoolies, ABC AM local radio, 2003 and “Criticism” section in Wikipedia “Schoolies” entry
4. ABC News Australia, various articles about the economy’s effect on apprenticeships, 2009

THE VISION:  “We were built to live for so much more. - Switchfoot
1 million students looking at Jesus, straight in the face, laying down their burdens…

    I work with CRAM (a Creative Arts Ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ) that reaches out to as many of the 1 million students in Australia as possible - with an emphasis in the Sydney area. Our band, Destination Life, plays Christian music, alternative music, and shares their testimonies through high school and university concerts.

    We get involved in the lives of everyday teens and inspire them to truly love and follow Christ.

   I'm now doing graphic design, photography, and writing for the band. I’ll also work with schools, host Bible studies, host art events, and develop personal relationships with the teens. 

THE RESULTS: I see a generation rising up to take their place with selfless faith. – Hillsong
In the last 2 performances, 80 students have started a relationship with Christ!  

    Through their work, God is transforming students in Sydney. Here are some student responses:

"I've enjoyed the music and am inspired to get to know more about God."

"It was really, really good. The talk made me think about the way I'm living and if it's right. I loved it! Thanks heaps."

“It really changed my life and made me realise there is a God.”

THE TOUR:  "You've been so kind and generous. For your kindness, I'm in debt to you." - Natalie Merchant

More than 125 people in 7 countries have come together to make this mission possible.

  And this is the birth of The "Love Rocks" Tour. 125 people and 2 organizations have come alongside me. We're all working together - praying and contributing financially - to working to bring love, restoration, and some rockin' tunes to the youth here.

   If you haven't supported the mission, I'd love to invite you to be a part of this work by supporting me here: https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0613875

   If you're already one of the mission's supporters, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are making a very real difference in the lives of youth overseas, and you're making this world a better place. I love you dearly, am praying for you, and God promises you that when you work for the good of others, you get blessed yourself - so believe that you're going to receive great things - starting today!