Friday morning was a warm, hazy, and sunny morning, and I woke up at around 7am - early enough to get a bathroom break and get ice for my cooler. I was half asleep for the first hour or so. One thing I would later find out was that a cute girl that I met at last year’s festival; then again at last year’s Festival Con Dios in New Jersey, where she spotted me again there. I heard a loud “hello” as I was walking. Still half awake, I wasn’t sure who she was speaking to at first, so I asked a guy next to me, and he honestly said she didn’t say hello to him, so then I was sure that it was her, and sadly didn’t catch her in time…

By 9am, I was ready to head to the main stage, and I came in time for Desperation to perform for 15 minutes to open the morning with worship music.

Joshua Harris

Joshua Harris

Joshua Harris, a respected author and speaker, presented us a cool message based on Psalm 73. I personally think he gets better and better at delivering a spirit-filled message each year!

Desperation rocks the Main stage Friday morning!

Desperation

An up and coming band, this band delivers a very life-changing message. This is my most favorite band that I haven’t previously checked out.

Bob Lenz

Bob Lenz

Bob Lenz is a great speaker who isn’t too cut-and-dried in his approach. The message he gave us that morning convinced us that Heaven and it’s glory is much better than anything on this earth.

Grits getting the crowd pumped at the Fringe stage.

Grits

Since Grits and 12 stones played at the same time, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to check out this concert or the other. So, I checked out a few songs from Grits, and then checked out…

Pillar

Pillar

An enjoyable concert, they present us with songs mainly from their Fireproof CD as well as their latest CD.

Out of Eden with an action packed performance. It even shows from my camera.

Out of Eden

Out of Eden is an awesome trio of sisters. I call them the Destiny’s Child of Christian music. My favorite songs that they did in this concert were Lookin’ for Love, Window, and No Turning Back.

Jeremy Camp performs straight from his heart and with a smile on his face!

Jeremy Camp

I liked his set a lot, and he performs music from his Carried Me and Stay albums.

Prominent speaker, Luis Palau brings everyone at Agape Farm a very touching sermon.

Luis Palau

Luis Palau is an amazing speaker that I saw on TBN in the summer of last year, and when I was blown away by his message, I prayed that he will come and speak this year at Creation. God answered my prayer, and he allowed Luis to speak.

This night’s message was awesome. It was titled “Recreated by Our Creator”. His message was about your life being changed once you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

A group that’s glad they took cover in the rain!

Rainy Evening at Creation

Later that afternoon, Creation officials announced a severe thunderstorm watch. Clouds were rolling in, and the wind was picking up mighty fast. Shortly after Luis Palau’s message, there was a brief rainstorm. I was blessed to go inside a group’s tarp, and maintain cover until the worst of the rain was over.

Tobymac

Tobymac, the only third of DC Talk to perform at Creation this year, performed an awesome concert. He used his “Diversity City” image, which I’ve seen him use last year, and at the Tribute to Grace and Hope gathering, two years ago.

He performed cool rap songs from his Momentum CD, including J-Train and Irene.

Steven Curtis Chapman with guest guitarist on the far right, Justin from the Tait band.

Steven Curtis Chapman

I personally miss the Candelighting service with Michael W. Smith. I’ve seen him lead that service for two years. Unfortunately, Smitty was unable to perform at Creation this year, but they’ve brought in a guy that has also been in the Christian Music business for some time named Steven Curtis Chapman.

He’s no Smitty, but he had performed a spectacular set. Playing on the guitars that night was Justin from the band known as Tait, formed by Michael Tait of DC Talk.

Up front is my candle… Now look behind it – thousands more people with their candles lit! Amazing!

Candlelighting

This is the highlight for me each and every time I go to Creation. It’s the Candlelighting service. It’s amazing to see tens of thousands of people come together to serve God by lighting a candle – one by one. The night ends at the main stage with several worship songs done by Paul Baloche.

Gospel rap group, Cross Movement.

Cross Movement

At the “Children’s Tent”, they had the Creation House Party, which featured the rap group from Philly, known as Cross Movement.

I first heard this band at last year’s festival, and I liked their straightforward message a lot. Their music sounds a bit “Old School”. It reminds me of the music from DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes) and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith), who ironically are also from Philly. They performed together in the 80’s. I like the “Old School” sound, but the most important thing was message, and it was very strong in this performance.