So Kent made some phone calls, and a vision became reality. We were going to have, for the first time since the church began, one huge service in Oxford High School's football stadium. Not only were we going to do that, but Kent also arranged for a helicopter to fly over at the end and drop 20,000 (no kidding) eggs. And THEN, at the end of that, they were going to give 2500 boxes of food away to those in need.
They were expecting 5000, so we'd fill up the home side of the stadium. We had a stage, professional sound, 2 big screens. It was definitely to be an all out event. We had rehearsal the Saturday before. All volunteers were to be there at 8am on Sunday for the service that was to begin at 10:30.
But something happened that day that no one expected. At about 10:00-10:15, the home side was almost full, but the highway in front of the stadium was backed up for a mile with traffic from people trying to park and get in. There was a huge line to get inside. Very quickly, they realized they'd have to open the visitor side and turn one of the screens around since the stage was facing the home side. Then THAT side filled up. So tarps were placed on the ground all over the field and people filled up half of the football field. We had 12,000 people there that day.
You couldn't help but see it and get emotional. It wasn't "Word Alive" or anyone in particular. It was about Jesus. He was being shown to the community that day, and they came because He came. It reminded me of the story in the Bible where Jesus was speaking to the crowds, and he had to get in the boat and set out a bit to be heard because there was no room for Him on the land. And that's how it should be. Where Jesus is, people will come. Because He's what everyone is really searching for. Happy Easter. He is ALIVE!
Ready to leave. Travis took this with his camera, and I liked it more than the other I posted, even though they are very similar.
The stage set up. I was so excited to be singing at this event. They brought in a major sound guy from Birmingham that does sound for all the concerts, and it was obvious. Over an hour was spent just on sound check, but it was WELL WORTH it. I felt like such a rock star because you could just whisper, and it went through that stadium. It was awesome.
My buddy, Steve, and me (and Elli)
Another shot of the stage
Volunteer of the year, Renea Reese
Not the happiest camper. He didn't want anyone but me. My in-laws came and kept him in the stands with them, but there was no shade for him. We put sunscreen on him, but he still got burned a bit.
See how thrilled he was to be in his stroller?
Sage and her friend, Griffyn
Sweet, sweet Jaggar CruizI know he's a boy, but he is just beautiful to me.
Sage and her cousinsThey came in from North Carolina.
Non-volunteer, Mitch Dizon with his parentsI actually took this from the stage, not during service, of course.
Team! Well, part of us. Big Steve, Me, Jen, and Charles. We have so much fun together.
They FINALLY got to see what my man can do. When we get back in our new and improved sanctuary, Travis will be running hand held all of the time. After seeing what he was able to do that day, they are more than excited.
This was PART of the crowd on the home side once they had to start coming down onto the field. Amazing.
Travis filming the egg drop. This got to be crazy. SO many people. There was no way they were prepared for over double the amount they were expecting, so Kent sent people to Walmart to buy out the entire candy aisle so that no one left empty handed. They had 2 prize eggs per age category and were giving away Wiis, a Nintendo DS, an Ipod touch, a mini laptop...I would have liked those prizes for myself!
Here comes the helicopter!
The helicopter blew up sooo much dust and a few skirts. Sage was a bit overwhelmed by it, I think, as we all were.
Eggs falling from the sky! There's something you don't see everyday!
A football field covered in eggs, and it still wasn't enough. Again, AMAZING!
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