I cannot express how thankful I am for all the volunteers who helped with our Caedmon’s Call benefit concert.  It was a great opportunity to raise awareness of and funds for the Ethiopian orphans we are sponsoring as an agency.  The concert began with a deeply moving three minute video created by Brannon McAllister from footage of our recent trip to Ethiopia.  It “set the stage” for a five minute video of John Piper talking about our adoption by God and its beautiful connection to our adoption of children.  His opening line was “adoption is greater than the universe.”  His comments were based on Ephesians 1:3-6.  After the video I introduced Derek Webb, who opened for the concert, and the almost three solid hours of great music began.  Around 800 were there to enjoy it.

The entire evening, the music and everything else, was wonderful.  Caedmon’s Call and Derek Webb did a great job of tying their music in to the importance of caring for Ethiopia’s orphans in their affliction.  Desiring God not only provided the John Piper video, but also a Don’t Waste Your Life table where everyone who attended was invited to pick up a free copy of John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life. It was an edifying event.

Earlier in the day, Kevin Boling, co-host of the radio program Calling for Truth, interviewed Derek Webb, Cliff Young, Wesen (our Ethiopian orphan care and adoption facilitator), and me.  If you were not able to hear it live on 660 AM that afternoon, you can listen to it here.  It was an excellent interview about the theology of adoption, the plight of Ethiopia’s orphans, and how the gospel speaks to this very important issue.

Here are some more pictures of the concert taken by Rachael Boling: