So, I’m thinking about taking a dip in the “Salt Lake” this week. After all, we’re in Salt Lake City, and what better way to experience the local culture than taking a swim in the lake that gave this city it’s name…I’ve heard that you float…Without treading water or using “water wings” (those orange things you wear on your arms when you’re a kid) But, I also heard you smell like a rotten egg afterwards. So there’s pros and cons…
Anyways, the reason we’re here in Salt Lake is because of an Evangelical free church event that happens every 2 years. So this year it’s called “Challenge ‘08″. Last night, Francis Chan spoke a phenomenal message on how we view God. He outlined a few different descriptions of encounters with God in the bible from Isaiah to John. In every story he recounted, the one who experienced a vision of God fell on their face, not worthy to look upon a Holy God. He communicated the “other-ness” of God in a descriptive and powerful way, and it left the room in silence and reverent repentance. We went on stage and slowly built up into “How great is our God” and ended with the people singing “Our God is an Awesome God” Acapella. It was a powerful night that we won’t soon forget. - Jon.
Look up Francis Chan’s podcast in Itunes if you get the chance - He’s great.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Hey Jon! (first comment!! :D)
I think that would be sweet, floating around in Salt Lake. I think that’s just phenomenal, how God’s made things work.
It sounds like you had a great night, and like God’s presence was seriously there.
Hope to see you guys soon! God Bless!
Anna
a bunch of my friends were talking about who we were going to ask to council at our Church’s Kids Camp, (as we are short on guy councilors) and my friend and I were talking about what great councilors you and Tim would be!!! rofl
(not that you could ACTUALLY come, but hey! :D)
June 30th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Wow. That seemed to be an awesome night of worship. I would like to be there too! A night of nothing but the glory of our God… Sweet!
Anyhow, The Dead Sea does the same to you. You float. I believe it is the salt content. I heard they have mud packs too. You have to cover yourself with mud before dipping into the Dead Sea. I want to try both the salt lake and the dead sea.
I have to find a way first how to get rid of the rotten egg smell. Ha! ^_^
June 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
it’s so sweet when God’s holiness can just touch pplz that way. He’s so overwhelming …it’s awesome.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:28 am
Happy Canada Day!!
(Too bad you’re not home here on our countries holiday)
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
its kinda late but Happy canada day i spent mine watching fireworks with close family friends and salt water blehhh i hate it but i love water
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hey Jon,
That sermon sounds incredible. So you’re in Salt Lake City, eh?That’s cool. Wow, you all must reall enjoy the road. You seem to be traveling all the time!:) Well, I hope you guys all had a really incredible time. Did you end up swimming in the Salt Lake?
God bless,
Sarah F.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
HI,
It must be awesome to be in Salt Lake city!OHHH and just hearing about what Francis Chan was talking about it must of been amazing.I wish I was at challenge 08.I hope STARFIELD comes back to Toronto ,that would be really awesome!!!!Anyways, Keep up the amazing and inspiring music:D I hope
you DO come to Toronto :D^_^
God Bless
-Angel
July 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hey! So I was at Challenge ‘08 and that was my favorite night! It’s crazy to think that God is so amazing we would die if we actually saw him. By the way…the Salt Lake was awful…and we really didn’t like it. Hot, gross, and covered in bugs, but hey at least we can say we did it.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Hey guys,
Just wanted to thank you for doing the music at Challenge for all of us. Your songs really meant a lot during the conference and enhanced the experience. So thanks for that.
By the way, I live in Utah. The Great Salt Lake is disgusting. The salt and whatever else makes it smell horrible.
Thanks
July 4th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hey Guys!
My friends and I love you so much! Thank you very much for coming to Salt Lake City and worshiping with us! It was AMAZING! Woohoo!! GO HOMELESS DAVE
Hope to see you REALLY soon!
July 4th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
HEY!
I was at Challenge! Francis Chan was so inspirational and I loved what he talked about. You guys were amazing and you just made everyone so excited and while we were singing, it just felt like the entire room was filled with God’s prescense. I think that Challenge really changed many lives and thank you guys so much for making the week so memorable. Praise God for all he has done and God bless you!
-Meme
July 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Hey! I was at Challenge ‘08, and I would have to agree, that truly was an amazing night. Like Francis Chan said “those sheet pictures really killed me.” I never really viewed God in that way before, and it really opened my eyes to His greatness. Throughout the week, I was able to picture God as I worshiped and as you guys led us in our time of praise, and it really helped me to be a “fool for God” and dance and go crazy. Thanks for the awesome worship time, your lyrics really spoke to me.
God bless you guys.
July 4th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
i was at Challenge 2008!!! amazing job guys!!! francis’ message was increadible!!! you guys are such an amazing band….oh and PS- thank you john and (homless) dave for the picture!!! you guys rock!!! lets not forget our challenge!!! thanks for the amazing memories at challenge 2008!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
That was an awsome night, I would know on account that I was there. That night was the first time in my life that I really “felt” God. You guys rocked it every night for us sojourners. Thank you for praising god with us.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
HEY JON!!!
totally saw u at the conference!!!
and i gotta say… U GUYS ROCK!
my new fav band.
so anyway i have wanted to give u a hug all week….
i never got to….
BUT I TOTALLY WISH I DID!
so i heard about u guys having a tour this fall for “i will go”
i just wanted to kno if u guys are going to long island for “rock the sound”?
ever heard of it?
well… u guys should so try to get in it…
oh! and about Francis’s messege…
I WAS SOOOO AWESOME!
(lol i cried)
wel… a lot of ppl cried.
so yeh…
u guys totally rock.
tell tim that my friend emma
(the one who wanted a pic of his feet) said hi!
LOVE U GUYS!
god bless
July 5th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Yess! I was at Conference, and Jon signed my poster and I got a picture with Tim! Anyway, Francis was absolutly amazing! And the whole week was great. Thanks so much for being our worship leaders this past week! It was very moving and I got to learn a bunch of new songs that are going strait to my iPod very soon. And I am a youth praise team leader at my youth group, and I am going to incorperate some of your songs in next time I lead, they’re awesome! Love yall!
July 5th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Jon, First I would like to thank you, Tim, Dave, and Gordie for leading the worship for Challenge. All of you were truly used as the mouthpiece of the Lord, the first night especially. I was moved to tears by the last songs. I’d have to say that night I felt closer to God then I’ve ever felt before, the power in that room was over and above anything I could have ever imagined, and the feeling of true worship was amazing. I felt so privileged to be there. Thank you also for letting it be all about the worship and not the performance. That was the most moving thing about you guys. We were worshiping together, all 5,500 of us together singing to the Lord. There is nothing more beautiful than thousands of voices, thousands of hands, and thousands of hearts raised to the Lord in worship. I will never forget the feeling in that room that night, I don’t think anyone will. God Bless and thanks again.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hey guys! I was at CHALLENGE ‘08! You were awesome! Thanks for the awesome worship sessions!
July 5th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
ok sry i got ur guys’ names messed up in my last comment
i wanted to hug tim not jon (although huggin jon wouldv been cool)
lol. and tell JON that my friend emma (the one who wanted to take a pic of his feet said hi.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
When we sang “Our God is an Awesome God” I could really feel Gods presence in the room. You guys did an awesome job leading worship the whole week. Your songs have been going through my head the whole week. Thanks so much for coming to Challenge 08!!
July 5th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Challenge ‘08 was amazing. I just want to thank Starfield for doing such an amazing job with the worship sessions. That first night was amazing, what an awesome God we have. Thank you again Starfield.
God Bless,
Renee
P.S. Salt Lake did smell but the experience was amazing and y’all should try it sometime
July 5th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
You guys were amazing this week at Callenge. I love your guys music and did such a good job. It was a blast singing and dancing along with you guys.Thanks for being there! :]
July 5th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Hey,
I was actually there at the conference! Thank you guys for all the time, prayers, and effort you put into the event. I experienced some of the most powerful worship times I’ve ever encountered. I appreciate you and all the speakers coming to meet with us. Both your music and the messages we heard have inspired us to take action in our lives. Today my youth group actually got together and collected clothes for the homeless and will bring them to Union Gospel Mission in down town Saint Paul, MN this week. And quess what we were singing while going door to door? All your songs! Thanks again.
-Kara
July 5th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hey Guys! So I was just @ the Challenge Conference and I just wanted to say thanks so very much for leading us in worship everyday. God definitly made an impact on my life as well as in many others! You guys are awesome! Thanks again:)
July 5th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Hey! I just wanted to let you know that I was at the Challenge 08 conference, and i wanted to let you know that your music is so awesome, and our whole church was touched by it! You guys are so enthusiastic about where God put you, and I’m glad he put you at Challenge 08!! Hope you guys enjoyed the conference as much as we did! God bless and keep spreading the good news! my friends and I will be looking for a concert near MN!!
AJ
July 5th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
i my challenge 08 with the kazoos and you guys were pretty sweet. i love reign in us you guys should come to minnesota some time
July 5th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Hey I was at Challenge ‘08 and I just wanted to let you guys know that your worship was absolutely amazing!! After Francis Chan spoke I will never worship my God in the same way again!
Your music is so powerful! The song .. I think it’s called “I will go” is stuck in my head and I’ve been singing it in front of all my friends at the top of my lungs! lol They think it’s funny! haha
Thanks guys so much.. Keep it up and God Bless!
P.S COME TO NEBRASKA!!!
July 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
so I was at challenge ‘08 and I just wanted to say you guys were ah-mazing!!LOVE YOUR SONGS!!
July 6th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hey,
I was blessed enough to attend Challenge ‘08 and it was life changing. (can you agree??) I do remember Francis Chan speaking that first night. God has blessed him with a gift with words and speaking. I just want to throw this out there; you guys did a phenomenal job leading the worship at Challenge. I can remember singing “Awesome God” with 5,000 other high school students and feeling God’s presence in the room. When I listen to your music (and I am sure this is the same with many others) God does something amazing, I close my eyes and my spirit begins to soar…and I live as I have never lived before. God has blessed you ALL with an amazing gift. He has given you the opportunity to share your gift with thousands beyond thousands of people. As one of those thousands I would like to say thank you: Thank you for coming to Challenge, Thank you for using your gift, and Thank you for glorifying God in all you do.
~Maggie
July 6th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I was there…haha!!!
July 6th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
dude Challenge O8 was awesome! I am so glad that you guys came!
July 6th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hi Starfield!
I was at Challenge this past week and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life, partially because of you guys. God did some really amazing things through your music and all of the speakers (especially Francis Chan-love that guy). If anyone could replace Chris Tomlin, I am so glad it was you guys. Everyone loved you, even my mom who was part of security. On the 30-some hr bus ride home, my whole youth group was singing your songs on the top of their lungs. It was so cool! God is awesome! (this was best Challenge of the 3 times I’ve been!) I am incredibly blessed! I hope you make it to Chicago soon so we can see you again!
-Licia (Rev 14:7)
July 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Hey Jon!!
I thought that you guys were great at Challenge! I’m from Sacramento California and my youth group was the only one from California! IT WAS AWESOME!!
I think that For my first time at challenge it was the best thing that i have ever experianced!! It was so AMAZING and yet so emotional that last day!!
I really hope you guys come to Califronia on your tour!! i would love to see you guys again!!
~Rachel
July 6th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
ya!! that was a great week!! We really appreciated you guys being our worship leaders!! You did an awesome job and we had so much fun with all of you!!
July 6th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I just got back from Challenge 08. That night with Francis Chan was amazing, and so was the rest of the week. I got closer to God than I ever had before. Thanks for helping to make the whole week awesome!
July 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I just wanted to thank you guys for comming to conference and leading us in worship. i had so much fun. that first night was so amazing. when francis chan said he wanted God to come and do something amazing that night he really did. the singing really moved my heart. it was so powerful. i also wanted to tell you guys how inspiring you guys are. everytime you played you all had such heart for God. its really contageous and i thank you.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Our youth group was in Salt Lake! The presence of the Holy Spirit was obvious, service after service. I’m so thankful for people like Starfield, Francis Chan, and J.D. Greear who are willing to be used of God to encourage the Christian youth of this generation.
Mariam
July 7th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Hey guys! I was at Challenge ‘08 and it was amazing. God was doing great things through you guys. At the end of Francis Chans “talk”, I was weeping. God did amazing things last week. I cant wait til Callenge 2010!
July 7th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I was there. It was amazing. I’m not sure I’ve ever been a part of something like that before. You guys are fantastic worship leaders. I appreciate how you keep the focus on Jesus rather than on Starfield.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hey Jon,
So you guys are in Salt Lake City now, eh?That’s pretty sweet. I definitely think you should swim in the Salt Lake. It would be a super interesting experience, and, I know this isn’t the best reason to do it, but if you swam in it then you could say that you have done it.:)
Hey, I have a question……after what happened would you guys ever come back to perform at Central Heights Church?I attend that church,and I was there the night of the incident. A bunch of my friends and I would love to see you guys perform again, and I know the head pastor, Pastor Chris, would love to have you guys come back sometime after the worship center has been rebuilt. I hope you guys do, sometime.
I know this is a totally off the topic thing, but I also want to thank you guys for your music. It is so incredible, and I love it, cause it has an amazing sound, and it praises the God many of us love! Good job!:)
God bless,
Sarah
July 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
So I was at conference this past week, and you guys were absolutely amazing. You did such a great job leading worship and I personally let myself completely go to worship God. I have never felt the way I did while worshipping to your songs. Unfortunately the concert closest to my home is already sold out and my friends and I had our hearts set on it. It would just be absolutely amazing if you could play somewhere in Maryland. As you know we didnt get many shoutouts at conference, so maybe you could come and give us a personal shout out?!?!?!? Again, you guys did absolutely amazing, thanks!
July 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I live in Jersey and was hoping that in your fall tour you’re gunna come through here. My family and I love your music. ANd if you are comming through here in the fall my dad and I whip up a mean meal and we’d love to make somethin for you. I twould be our privilage.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hey guys! I was at youth confrence and i agree, the first night with Francis Chan was incredible!!!! You guys should come to Nebraska some time!!!!
July 7th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Hey Guys!
I just want to say how awesome you guys are! You are VERY talented! I was at Challenge 08 this past week and it was truly incredible. I had so much fun! You could really feel God’s presence. You guys did a really amazing job! It was an awesome week , and I wont soon forget about it. I am excited to go out and share God’s love with the world!I hope I get to see you all in concert again soon!
Thanks again!
God Bles!
Go Challenge 08!
July 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I had the privilage of hearing you guys at Challange 08 and at first I was worried I was to old at 37 for the music but your lyrics and chorus’s are just what I needed to hear. I do know that I embarrased my youth group with my excitment over your music with all my jumping up and down made them roll their eyes at me. Your songs are just what our youth need as they love their music loud and fast. Thank you for all you are doing for todays youth may God bless all of you. Tina
July 8th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Gentlemen,
My name is Andrew. I was there at Challenge 08 with Christ’s youth group from MINNESOTA (I almost expected screams after typing that) and am the pastor of worship and student ministries at our church. We were powerfully impacted by our time spent together worshiping our God in all His splendor and majesty. We have a debate going whether or not your songs on the “I Will Go” album were written specifically for the conference or not. They fit so perfectly, they reinforced each message, created an atmosphere conducive for a true worship experience and they sent us out ready to impact the world.
Example: I passed a group of elderly women outside a rest-home in my home town and thought I should stop and tell them about our Lord Jesus Christ. I decided I needed to get home, had my son Joshua with, and didn’t stop. I got home and started singing “I will go, I will go, I will go Lord send me, to the world, to the lost, to the poor and hungry… I’m clay within Your hands,” and thought, how could I sing such powerful words all week and not go right now?! Needless to say I dropped my son off at home and went back.
Thanks so much for your ministry. Press on and persevere. I look forward to our next opportunity to worship together, be it on this earth or the new earth. I might be able to sing as high as you all with my resurrected body!
Anticipating revivals in Christ’s -
-Pastor Andrew Langseth
Grace EFC Stewartville MN
July 8th, 2008 at 10:04 am
i was there at challange 2008 it was so amazing and you and Francis Chan were amazing and it really changed my life.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Hey, I just wanted to say that I agree - I was there that night, and it was such a powerful night…”How Great is our God” brought me to the point of silent (yet still shoulder-wrenching) sobs, and “Our God is an Awesome God” just left such a powerful feeling of God in the room…and then everyone was so reverent…it truly was a night that I won’t soon forget, either - thanks for being there and worshiping with us.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I was there and it was soo incredible! That first night was the most powerful for me. I could easily say that was the best worship I’d ever experienced. Thank you guys!!!! Love you!
July 9th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Hey thanks for coming to Salt Lake guys. I had 2 of my 17 kids become Christians and they havent stopped playing the kazoo yet. From Nebraska.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
that was an AMAZING night!!! so awesome to experience God w/ 6,000 other people!! i had such an awesome week while i was there! God is amazing!!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
thats sounds sweet i wont to do that and see it you really could float lol..
hey you guys aren’t doing anything in September you should do an other concert in abby since it is your home town..
July 11th, 2008 at 11:20 am
That first night with Francis Chan at Challenge 08 was AMAZING. And you guys ending it with such a beautiful worship brought it up even more! I love you guys!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
yeah! challenge ‘08 was truely amazing. thanks for leading our worship. we loved you guys!
July 12th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I was at Challenge ‘08 and it was amazing! Everybody keeps telling people here back home how great you guys were!
God Bless You!
p.s. i am going to your concert in July!!!!!
July 12th, 2008 at 9:38 am
you guys are great! every time i listen to you guys i get an abundance of joy filling my body!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hey,
That sounds like it was alot of fun there in Salt Lake City, I would like to see you in water wings Jon, haha.:P
I hope you guys can come back to Abbotsford again, the first concert was scary to be at. The second one a sevenoaks alliance church was awesome! I was right infront of you Jon.:P I really hope you guys can come back in September when you are free and do another concert. A good idea would be outside of Central Hieghts church, wouldn’t that be cool?
July 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Hey Starfield!
I went to Challenge and just wanted to say that you guys were awesome! Thanks for being apart of that awesome week! You guys were one of many people who led us all closer to God! keep it up!
p.s. your youtube videos are super funny!
July 13th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
hi,
i’m the 7th person who left a comment.And yes i’m the girl who gave you my e-mail address at Challange ‘08.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Yeah that night was way powerful and it was awesome spending a week with you guys i hope i get to see you guys again your songs are truely amazing thanks againg
Zack
July 17th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I was there and at the end of that first night I was one of the people (if you noticed) who was broken, unable to move at the awesoness of God. I was wondering: what night was the most impacting and why?
July 19th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Jon,
Sounds Awesome!
I was at Challenge.
Francis Chan was one of my favorites! You guys rocked. Keep rocking for God and inspiring people like me with your music.
God bless you guys,
Macy : )
July 20th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I recently had the idea to start listening to messages on my mp3, so thanks for the tip about the podcast! We definitely need to continue to learn, grow, and challenge ourselves.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
The Message by francis combined with your worship resulted in an extremely awesome experience the whole week that is and will and will to come be a strong memmory that I will always remember.
Thx
“the” Madden
July 24th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
yeah, challange was so fun and it was a blessing to be able to travel there. anyways, some of my friends DID go swimming in the lake;; and they told me that they smelled terrible.. thank goodness i was there. haha
but anyways, i wish i was there to hear him speak but half of our church were stuck in wyoming..cuz our bus broke down && we didnt arrive in Utah until i believe 2 that monday morning.
but again we were blessed to be there.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:47 am
i was at Challenge ‘08 and it was awesome. Starfield was the best! i hope i can come to your concerts. love your CD’s. God has blessed you with a great gift!