65,000 college students ring in New Year by worshipping Jesus at sold-out event in Atlanta
While most of the world rang in the New Year and the new decade at extravagant parties, one group of people have decided to usher it in by celebrating Christianity and Jesus.
More than 65,000 young Christians comprising of millennials and generation Zers are gathering over three days at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, to kick off the new decade with worship, prayers, and Bible readings, according to Fox News.
The sold-out event, called 'Passion 2020' and organized by Passion Conferences, goes some way in suggesting that religion still plays a very big part in the lives of the younger generation even as a Pew Research Center survey show that the number "nones" or religiously non-affiliated Americans has been increasing.
'Passion 2020' is being held from December 31 to January 2 and will see thousands gather at the stadium with Passion founders Louie and Shelley Giglio as hosts. The Passion band will take care of the music.
"To live in such a way that their journey on earth counts for what is most important in the end," a statement on the Passion website reads. "For us at Passion, that’s the fame of the One who rescues and restores, and the privilege we have to amplify His name in everything we do."
"While we host large gatherings, Passion is more than a conference," it continues. "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," the website reads.
Attending students between the ages of 18 and 25 years will hear from guest speakers like Tim Tebow, Ravi Zacharias, Christine Caine, Levi Lusko, John Piper and Sadie Robertson,. The worship will be led by performers like Hillsong United, Lecrae, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Music, Crowder, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Social Club Misfits, Tedashii and Sean Curran.
Each year, donations are raised in this event for various causes. The 'END IT Movement' to end modern-day slavery was launched during 'Passion 2013' and has already raised $8.3 million while 'Passion 2019' saw 40,000 students gather to raise $400,000 to translate the Bible for deaf people across the world.
This year, students will be raising for the 'END IT Movement' as well as for 'Share Light,' a campaign to see the Bible scriptures translated into the 6,000 known languages during this generation’s lifetime.
"We're not simply keepers of the light, but we are carriers of the light of Jesus to the world," Louie Giglio said. "One of the practical ways that we can carry that light to the world is to participate in the goal of Scripture translation."