Amidst the warm glow of the acoustic lighting and an auditorium packed with local messianic Israeli youth, the Grammy-award winning group Casting Crowns soulfully connected. The Pavilion welcomed Casting Crowns group members Mark Hall, Hector Cervantes and Juan Devevo on Tuesday, March 20th for a special concert.

The evening was truly a gift to the local believing body, as the band flew overseas to Israel for a brief 36 hours to minister. Throughout the concert, well known songs like, “Lifesong”, “Praise You In This Storm” and “The Voice of Truth” were sung intertwined with testimonies, encouragement, and the stories behind the songs. Mark Hall’s moving testimony of the power of God in his life and ministry despite lifelong learning challenges, especially impacted many young people in the audience who also struggle in this area.

As the first bars of “Who Am I” were strummed, a quiet wave of voices joined in and crescendoed as people rose to their feet. An attentive audience was drawn to the humble group of youth pastors, who have impacted the world with the songs that they wrote to speak into the life of their own local youth groups.

Band members also took time, to meet with pastors and youth leaders serving throughout the nation of Israel to offer practical helps and encouragement via Global Youth Ministry, who sponsored the concert. The thriving partnership of this ministry, with local youth ministries was evident; as Israel’s Kings Kids team ministered in dance and helped lead the audience in a worship song. The power of Messiah in the lives of the members of Casting Crowns spoke clearly to a generation desperately trying to find the voice of truth in a world of relativity.