During the first of three Passion conferences planned for 2015, more than 20,000 college students and young adults gathered in Atlanta.
The widely known Passion movement welcomed the new year by launching its first of a series of three conferences for 2015, which took place on January 2-4 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, during which more than 20,000 college students and young adults gathered.
Passion, which began in 1995, has continuously focused on igniting a passion in the hearts of young people between the ages of 18 to 25 to live for Christ.
"While we host large gatherings, Passion is more than a conference," the Passion team stated in its website. "More than an event. More than a feeling. Passion is you and me saying goodbye to lesser things and saying yes to Jesus, the One whose name is above every name."
One of the ways Passion has encouraged the younger generation to live for Christ is to also love and serve others.
"When Jesus followers gather, there should always be a massive wave of love and compassion following in their wake," said the Passion team.
Hence, the conference has featured certain practical ways through which the attendees could make commitments to serve and love their communities and the world at large, such as giving offering to help fight human trafficking, and donating towels and socks for the homeless. The Christian Post reported more than $7 million has been raised in recent Passion conferences to raise more awareness and contribute to the fight against human trafficking.
During the first night of this specific conference, Louie Giglio, the founder of the Passion movement and the lead pastor of Passion City Church, once again focused on surrendering to Christ and following Him"”this time, in light of Jesus' finished work on the cross.
"We're beginning where Christ ended because His last word is our first," Giglio said. "His last expression ["Tetelestai'] on earth makes possible all of our expressions on earth. We're going to the end of His life to find the beginning of ours."
All of this year's Passion conferences will feature renowned Christian artists including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, and Brett Younker. This specific conference also had special guests to speak at the sessions, including Francis Chan, Carl Lentz, Ben Stuart, and John Piper, who will also be speaking at the next Atlanta conference.
Subsequent conferences will be taking place on January 16-18 in Atlanta, and January 30 to February 1 in Houston, and more special guests will be speaking at these locations including Matt Chandler, Christine Caine, Lecrae, and Judah Smith.
To register and for more information, visit 268generation.com/passion2015.
