The Skyliner

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Entertainment & Features

Kyra Alexander
Staff Writer


Winter Jam is an annual Christian music festival with a mixture of famous bands and some you may not know. This year Newsong, MercyMe, Barlow Girl, Skillet, American Idol's Mandisa and PureNRG did the music. Also, Tony Nolan was the guest speaker. If you needed more action, BMX Real Encounter's Skate Team was there.

NGU's radio station, "The Vibe" interviewed Billy Goodwin from Newsong, guest speaker Tony Nolan, and Becca Barlow from Barlow Girl. They asked each four questions, including how you came to know Christ as your Savior, how did you get into the ministry your involved in, if you could tell your fans one thing about the message of your music what would it be, and could you tell us about your latest project?

Newsong's Goodwin said that he got started as a music minister of a church and then formed Newsong in 1981. They will be in the studio for the next two months.

The second was Tony Nolan, a former NGU chapel speaker. He shared his testimony of pain and rejection. Soon after he was saved, he started his ministry, teaming up with Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. He says that Winter Jam has been great so far and people are coming by the thousands.

Last was Becca from Barlow Girl. She grew up as a pastor's kid with her two sisters, struggled with eating disorders, and decided that in the end that God wanted her to run to Him. Their ministry started when her father started to form a youth band and the girls were all musical so he asked them to join. They really didn't want to be musicians but they were faithful to God. In the end, the sisters started Barlow Girl. Their message for everyone is that God is trustworthy and that God will be there with you always. He might not pull you out right then, but he'll always be there with you.

"All the bands were great and it was very encouraging," said Emily Chellis, freshman history. She commented on all the bands but particularly Barlow Girl because the drummer stood up and said that she was ashamed of our generation because we don't share enough about Jesus and to win others to Christ.

Chellis said she really enjoyed the line up and she would encourage others to come and worship in a concert setting with different types of music. Winter Jam had something for everyone. There were around 1700 people that made decisions for Christ this weekend.

"Greenville's Winter Jam was a great success with over 14,000 people in attendance. We were disappointed we had to turn away at least 2000 people. There are so many people that commit so much of their time and efforts into making Winter Jam the best possible tour it can be. We hope to continue this success in the years to come. We give God all the glory for all those who made decisions for Him at the Greenville Winter Jam." Chrysta Johnson, Local Coordinator for Premiere Productions.

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