God's love setting hearts free at theBurn!

Last weekend 6:22 hosted its first Burn of 2012! It was one of the largest, most powerful and unique Burns we have ever had. The Burn was a part of a larger weekend called Renaissance 2012, with an emphasis on stirring creative arts in the Christian community. With that in mind, all of the Burn worship leaders brought their own original songs and arrangements. No Hillsong or Jesus Culture covers. ;) The result was that worshipers from across eastern North Carolina united to release the region's indigenous sound of worship non-stop for six hours! I know of at least NINE churches represented, with attendees from at least SIX cities. It was beautiful.

The night began with Sonnet, Harmony Church's worship band, offering original arrangements of acoustic hymns. This was a great way to begin the night with a heavy emphasis on Jesus Christ, the Gospel and the cross laying a foundation without any hype. Hearing dozens of voices lifted to sing verses of hymns, accapella at times, helped create an atmosphere of united worship.

Boiler Room favorites, Divine Obsession followed with a passionate time of praise and worship. During their set, Cory and I felt led to share about how God's love casts out fear (I John 4:18), and we felt like God was releasing His love over people to set them free. One of my favorite moments was at the end of a song when Stephanie Gardner began to prophesy to the gathering through song. God was calling His children back to Him - emphasizing His unconditional love for us. Returning to God's love would be a theme throughout the night.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. I John 4:18

Next Nathan Storey, of Raleigh, NC, led a brief acoustic folk worship set. Towards the end of his set, a young girl named Kaylen shared a poem that God had given her during worship. She felt like she was one of the ones that God was wanting to set free from fear so that she could be all God made her to be. After sharing a heartfelt poem, we all let out a shout and stood to sing a chorus of Nathan's song that says "Love will come back for us...."

Kevin Gardner of Goldsboro, NC followed with a passionate worship set starting with "I Know You Love Me" - again emphasizing God's love for us!

Michael and Sara Thorsby of New Bern, NC led a sweet time of acoustic worship, with Sara playing flute on a few songs! This was a very refreshing set to simply soak and rest in God's presence.

Michael Etheridge played next and his set began to stir joy and freedom in the room. The crowd had thinned out some at that point (as it was getting later into the night), but those that remained were there to WORSHIP! Worshipers danced and shouted as Mike sang "You love is all I need....."

Ray Hartsfield, Beaty Bass and I finished off the night with a few more hours of worship, ending with a simple prophetic song.... "return to your first love".

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:2-5

theBurn will continue in a monthly basis on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Boiler Room from 7pm until 3am.