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Island Inspirations, from the Everett, Wash. Fijian corps, perform a traditional dance during Live ‘04. |
Whirling, stomping, singing, shouting, dancing, rapping, praising—worshipping! On Saturday morning in Pasadena, more than 70 young adults from 12 different corps presented Live ’04, a first for the Western Territory. Audience response was tremendous: in addition to the standing-room-only crowd of more than 400, at least 150 were turned away due to lack of space.
A bit unsure what to expect, the crowd was curious: Was Live ’04 a talent show, concert, competition or just another opportunity for performance?
If they came in as an audience expecting to be entertained, they were quickly transformed into a worshipping congregation as each performer added to the innovation.
The festival dovetailed with General Larsson’s recent suggestion at officers’ councils that “officers need to be engaged in modern forms of warfare to reach out to the community in which we find ourselves,” added Captains Kyle and Lisa Smith, territorial youth and assistant youth secretaries and festival organizers.
Army leadership—General Larsson and Territorial Commander Commissioner Linda Bond—and teenage worshippers alike gave overwhelmingly positive reviews of this event.
Organizers hope to expand the “Live” concept, making this festival a regular part of annual commissioning events.
Participants included: Salt and Light Drama Team, Casper, Wyo. (puppet ministry); Impact (praise band) and Pasadena Youth Chorus (Gospel-style choir), Pasadena Tabernacle Corps, Calif.; Island Inspiration, Everett Fijian Corps, Wash. (traditional Fijian dance with worship band); Larissa Wycoff, Chico, Calif. (vocalist); Media Moments, Asian-American Yerba Buena Corps, Calif. (short films); God’s Infantry, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (hip-hop dance); Urgent Truth, Seattle Temple Corps, Wash. (praise band); Joshua Weldy, Hobbs, New Mex. (original rap); Matt Woods, Torrance, Calif. (vocalist); and PraiseWorks!, Praiseworks Outpost, Calif. (praise band).