Traveling long distances for rest and relaxation is what most students look forward to doing before the agonizing summer school session begins. Instead of hitting the crystal clear waters of Florida, or the cool valleys of Colorado, more than 40,000 college students made the trek to Memphis, Tenn., last May for One Day.
On May 20th , at Shelby Farms, located near Memphis, thousands of students gathered together from all over the nation and world to see God change their lives.
One Day was put on by Passion Ministries, which had annual conferences the three preceding years. Passion developed a declaration for the Christian College student, which he/she can base their life upon. The 268 declaration became the foundation of their ministry. Passion '97 and '98 were held in Austin, while Passion '99 was held in Fort Worth. Passion '99 had over 11,000 students attending, 3,000 students were turned away.
Various musicians and speakers gathered at these three conferences directed toward the Christian College student. Passion exists to "bring Christian College and university students together from campuses and ministries together."
Passion director, Louie Giglio, envisioned One Day, a day where any college student can come to a meeting place with other students and seek the face of God. Eight One Day regional events took place over the course of last year. Road-reps packed into a RV to visit college campuses across the United States.
Nick Cooper, a junior construction engineer from Kingwood, was one of 40,000 to attend One Day. Cooper heard about One Day through the One Day road-reps who made a stop at Tech last fall. This one-night stop sparked an interest in Cooper to attend the "solemn assembly." "I wanted to be on board with what God was doing with Passion," Cooper said.
Cooper, like most, professes his life to be changed in a new way-a direct result from One Day.
"I now have more of a desire to spread the Truth of Jesus Christ and pray for my classmates and school in general," Cooper said. "It was designed to equip students to meet classmates at their point of need. It was designed to have a lasting effect, not for those who came to have a 'spiritual high'. It wasn't about how many people were there or the media coverage. It was a day to worship the Lord, something that had nothing to do with the people there."
Passion ministries has issued several CDs, the latest being One Day Live. Also released Tuesday was a DVD and VHS documenting One Day. Passion Ministries has also planned the "One Day Link," which will be a concert of prayer and worship that is linked by satellite from Atlanta and Chicago to college campuses all over the world. Texas Tech's broadcast will be tonight at Paradigm, a weekly bible study at First Baptist Church, located at Broadway and Ave. V. The One Day link will start at 8 p.m. The Passion Worship Band and Louie Giglio will lead the evening in prayer, worship and scripture. More information can be found at the Passion Web site, www.268generation.com.
Paradigm worship leader and Tech alumni, Justin Cofield, also attended One Day. He said he has seen a difference in those who attended that have produced lasting results. "Everyone who went is serious about seeking God with their lives instead of religion," Cofield said.
Daily Toreador > Life & Leisure
Students use One Day to come closer to God
Published: Thursday, October 26, 2000
Updated: Sunday, August 30, 2009 06:08
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