Worship collectively

Rend Collective and Urban Rescue performed April 1 in the Vines Center

Thousands of students and guests embarked on a musical and spiritual journey in the Vines Center, Friday, April 1 during performances by Urban Rescue and Rend Collective on their “As Family We Go” tour, hosted by Student Activities.

The lights surrounding the stage abruptly struck to black as the once silent crowd began to clap in sync with the sound of roaring drums erupting from the speakers. An electro-pop melody began to play while a prism of lights suddenly flashed to show members of opening band Urban Rescue jumping center stage.

The band kicked off its performance with “Kaleidoscope,” invoking the audience to cheer and dance along to one of the many hypnotic chimes on their Wild Hearts EP. The band continued with several other up-tempo songs before slowing things down for the riled up crowd.

Toward the end of their set when hands were raised high in a moment of worship and voices from the audience echoed throughout the auditorium singing “His Name Is,” the band’s frontman Jordan Frye encouraged the crowd to understand that God’s love is everlasting and unconditional.

“I’m here to tell you that there is nothing stronger than the name of Jesus,” Frye said. “The gospel says there is no height nor depth nor any other created thing that can separate you from the love of God. … His love is not like a math equation that you can add or subtract from. His love is like the waves of the ocean breaking against the shore. They are never ending.”

Urban Rescue ended its performance with as much energy as it started, preparing fans for the main act to come. College for a Weekend (CFAW) visitor Ryan Napier said the concert was a favorite moment during his weekend experience.

“I am absolutely blown away by this school,” Napier said.

“It’s amazing that students here get the opportunity to gather together whether at (Convocation) or at concerts like this, and just worship and praise God collectively for all that He is and all that He does. It’s something you probably wouldn’t experience anywhere else but Liberty.”

Before its set, Rend Collective member Patrick Thompson spoke to the crowd about his experience with Compassion International, an organization that works to assist children in poverty through volunteer sponsorship.

He engaged the audience with stories based around 1 John 3, which teaches about love, worship and the spirit of giving.

According to the Compassion International website, the organization is partnered with 6,900 churches internationally that contribute to the 1.7 million children currently sponsored. A booth was set up on top of the concourse for students and guests to gain more information about sponsoring children in poverty.

“His message really inspired me,” Liberty student Ashley Meyers said. “I’ve always felt called to help those in need, but I admit I never really acted on it. He put it in a great perspective … showing that loving and giving to one another is the ultimate form of worship.”

After a brief intermission, the sound of sirens preceded verses depicting a tribute to Ireland. Flashes of red and white beams of light began to flicker along the faces of an eager audience. The crowd rose to its feet, some rushing to join the cluster of people jumping in front of the stage as the band opened with “Burn Like a Star” from the album, The Art of Celebration.

An assortment of unique instruments surrounded the members on stage from cymbals, trash cans and an organ to a ukulele and even an accordion. Members such as female vocalist Ali Gilkeson and bassist Steve Mitchell played several of these during a single song.

The folk-inspired troubadours had the audience engaged from start to finish, encouraging them to participate by clapping and dancing along to the Celtic rhythms. During soulful songs such as “My Lighthouse” and “Joy of the Lord,” phone flashlights lit the auditorium while the crowd took over the singing. Explosions of confetti and bubbles frequently fell atop of the audience in between the energized choruses and bridges of worship.

The band spoke between songs, sharing its desire to be joyful in all circumstances and celebrate the victories of Christ with the Church. Gareth Gilkeson took time to share his own story with the audience, reiterating Thompson’s message of love and giving with the inspiration behind the As Family We Go tour.

“Jesus gave us our purpose,” Gareth Gilkeson said. “He said, ‘Go into all the world and make disciples.’ Therefore, the Great Commission is almost like Jesus challenging us to go on an adventure … We are called to be family and bring the picture of the love of God to the rest of the world … As family we are called to go and as adventurers we are called to unite.”

In an encore performance, Rend Collective performed several other songs from previous albums including the song, “You Will Never Run,” where they reappeared wearing panda hats and began to release giant orbs of flashing colors out into the crowd.

CFAW visitor Lillian Mosby said she enjoyed the bands random acts and Irish humor.

“You just never knew what they were going to do or say next,” Mosby said. “The joy and energy they have is overwhelming in the best of ways. I can’t imagine a band having more fun than they do performing, and seeing that only makes the crowd want to have fun, too. You better believe I won’t be leaving here without their album.”

The night ended on a softer note with the melodic harmonies of the audience singing “Rejoice,” which lingered moments after the band had expressed its gratitude and stepped off the stage.

“We have had an amazing night with you,” lead vocalist Chris Llewellyn said, waving to the crowd. “The opportunity to sing with the church, to be a force for change and to advance the Gospel means so much to us, and we really appreciate you joining us in celebration tonight.”

Rend Collective and Urban Rescue will be continuing the As Family We Go tour until May 20. For more information, visit rendcollective.com.

ELLIOTT is a feature reporter.