Churches and Church Leaders Making Headlines

CHRISTIAN ROCK BANDS TAKE OVER UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

ORLANDO, Fla.—This fall, 17 of the biggest names in Christian rock will take the stage at the sixth-annual Rock the Universe concert at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.

On Fri., Sept. 5 and Sat., Sept. 6, Grammy-winning Third Day, TobyMac, the Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, and alternative rock bands Pillar, Skillet, Big Dismal and Justifide will take the stage, as well as Superchick[k], Bleach, The Elms, Mercy Me, Souljahz, Taylor, Kristy Starling, the Paul Colman Trio and Across the Sky. David Nasser of David Nasser Outreach and highly acclaimed speaker and author Jay Strack also will make appearances.

“With the Christian music genre exploding in popularity, Rock The Universe gives fans an inspirational and thrilling event where they can enjoy their favorite performers while experiencing a weekend of adventures,” says Skip Sherman, senior vice president of entertainment at Universal Orlando.

In addition to the performances, guests can experience dozens of thrill rides until 1 a.m., including Jaws, Men in Black Alien Attack, Back to the Future and the new Shrek 4-D. Universal Orlando also features CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue, plus premier onsite Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.

Two-night admission costs $53.95, and single-show tickets are available for $35.95 (tax not included). Buy online at www.rocktheuniverse.com or by calling 866.RTU.INFO.

GIDDYUP FOR GOD!

FAIRLIE, Texas—In the scrublands northeast of Dallas, about 100 men, women and children show up for service every weekend at Cross Trails Cowboy Church wearing their Sunday best, from dresses and suits to dusty boots.

While the worshippers at Cross Trails are as diverse as their outfits, leaders say they share one thing in common:

a belief in the link between Christian life and the Old West code of simplicity, cooperation, loyalty and patriotism.

Last spring, co-founders Shannon Moreland and Greg Horn began discussing the need for a cowboy church in the area and took up the reins.Word spread like wildfire, and the new Cross Trails Church moved into a refurbished, simple white frame building last July. Today, every pew is filled on Sunday, and most of the children have to sit on their parents’ laps to make room.

Families travel an average of 12 miles, and some as many as 30.

What are they looking for that they can’t find anywhere else? According to Moreland, it’s acceptance. “Looking at this church is sort of like looking at baseball and apple pie,” he says. “It’s the kind of country church fellowship a lot of people grew up hearing about but never knew themselves.

“Our goal is to reach people who are part of the rural, agrarian culture,” Moreland adds. “If the best thing they’ve got to wear is a pair of dirty blue jeans, then praise God! We just want them to come on to church.”

ST. LOUIS CHURCH LEADERS TURN TO AD AGENCY TO BUILD FLOCKS

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—When two churches wanted to watch their membership figures grow, they turned to an award-winning advertising agency to market their message. The results, they say, are heavenly.

Schupp Company, a full-service agency headquartered in St. Louis, made its first foray into the specialty area with a multiple awardwinning direct marketing program, “Jesus Saves,” for Bonhomme Presbyterian Church. The objective, say Schupp executives, was to draw young people to a new contemporary worship service. Today, it attracts an average of 400 people a weekend, and church leaders say they plan to add a second service.

When pastors at St. Louis’ Life Christian Church caught a glimpse of the work, they contracted Schupp to help deliver their message to college-age youth. The agency created innovative radio spots and billboards with thought-provoking messages like, “God, When Will This Service End?” and “Dear Lord, Does This Sermon Have a Point?” The new campaign generated phone calls and additional newcomers. Life Christian leaders say they hope to launch a second campaign this fall.

Toby Mac brings his blend of old-school hip-hop and grinding guitar rock to Universal Studios Florida Multi-award and Grammy-winning Third Day combines Southern-tinged rock and inspirational lyrics.

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