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Thursday, June 05, 2008

Finally, London!






































































































































The wait is over! After many years of loving this city and really wanting to bring Passion to the students of London it finally happened! Passion London happened! And happen it did!

Some say London is the most influential city in the world at the moment, so it was a huge deal to be here right in the middle of it all with close to 3000 very "non-reserved" Brits as people from multiple streams came to unite around the fame of Jesus. From the opening it was on and we never looked back. Paris, we brought your prayers and the roar of your support...and Manila, London is on the record as being massively behind our visit there on August 1.

It's 1 AM here in London and things have been a bit of a blur the last few days. Though over used, the word WOW seems appropriate as we think about what we have seen God do from Kyiv to London. Just months ago this whole tour was a dream, and idea...a hopeful prayer. And now we are finishing the first Leg and heading for home. It's been a long time and many miles since we rolled out of ATL on May 12, and we have seen God do what we have been counting on Him to do.

I'll be back with more from London, but for now we are going to call it a night (one brilliant night!) and fill in more details later. And just in case you're wondering, your prayers ushered us into this city and through this night. For that we love you and humbly say thanks.

Louie

55 Comments:

  • Thanks for keeping us updated on the first leg of the tour! It's so cool to see the creativity of God in the different styles and cultures of each city. Can't wait until you make it to Asia in October!
    I'm praying for you from Taipei. I wonder if I'm the only one of the 40 podcast listeners that lives in Taiwan...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 8:18 PM  

  • Literally just got home from Passion London and I wanted to check out the blog, despite my body telling me that sleep would be a better idea..

    The event was a real blessing to all who attended, so on behalf of London I'd like to thank everyone who made it possible. We'd love to have you back!

    Get some rest and then go storm Manila with joyous noises for God and praises to his name! I'll be praying for you all :)

    Gareth

    By Blogger Gareth, at 6/05/2008 8:22 PM  

  • Praise God from whom all Blessings flow! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 8:29 PM  

  • Singing Him Praises and giving Him thanks!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 8:29 PM  

  • the Son of God was truly high and lifted up in the hammersmith apollo tonight! what a Rescue, what a Story, what a King. praying that the church in this generation gives their lives to the eternal fame and flame of Christ. thank you so much louie and team. you have no idea how proud God is to be called your God (hebrews 11 vs 16)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 8:45 PM  

  • WOW!!!!!(Is the word for the moment!!!) :^)

    God has allowed some
    "Mighty Awesome moments"
    these last few weeks!!!

    It has been a true blessing to watch, read and hear all that has happened!!!

    It just makes me :^)SMILE:^) every time I see/read/hear what has taken place for HIS glory!!!

    WOW!

    Praying you all home safely!
    Thanks again for all the updates!!!

    Karah in Texas :^)

    By Blogger Karahly, at 6/05/2008 9:00 PM  

  • Nearly 2am here in London and still buzzing from Passion::London. It was a wonderful privilege to be able to serve this generation of students, who have shown verbally and through worship, their desire to live for the fame of Jesus. It was an amazing sight!!! Lord we thank you for being with us tonight. May every challenged heart be moved closer toward God.

    God is so good!

    Have a well deserved rest and safe travels back home.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 9:05 PM  

  • amazing... the pictures are awesome - thanks!
    Praise Jesus! Have a safe travel and rest as you all come back home.

    By Blogger Anna, at 6/05/2008 9:23 PM  

  • safe travels and much rest to all of you!! it has been super duper exciting to read all the blogs... i check here probably close to 234,532 times a day to see if there are any new updates so i can get excited all over again. lately it has been hard for me to find joy in the things around me, but when i hear about all these students going for it and making jesus famous, i find GREAT joy and everything seems to be right on, and i know that i am a part of something way bigger than my itty bitty life tells me.

    so the thanks go to all the passion team and the people who put endless love into making all of the nights special... and all glory to God!

    By Blogger TRACE.FACE PHOTOS, at 6/05/2008 9:27 PM  

  • There is No One Like JESUS!

    I keep thinking...every tribe, every tongue...

    Go Jesus! paul

    By Blogger Paul Pettefer, at 6/05/2008 9:29 PM  

  • Again, it's 2.30am in the UK and I've just got back to the south coast of England after an amazing night.

    Struggling to put it into words - I've been praying and expecting for Passion London ever since I saw the web stream of Passion 07 and Louie saying 'we're headed out'. SO exciting for it to finally come into fruition.

    I had tears came into my eyes during the 'hello London' piece at the start of tonight - such truth, such grace in the words on the screen combined with the very real presence of the Holy Spirit moving. He WAS here.

    Thank you for your prayers for tonight across the world - especially from Paris. We lifted up Manila tonight and we will keep our wristbands on (and pray!) until Aug 1st.

    An amazing night, and I need sleep. Nights like tonight can produce good things - but the deeper and most enduring work of God will come in the days and weeks ahead across London and our nation, and in Paris, Kampala, Sao Paulo, Stockholm, and Kiev. Passion London has only just begun...

    By Blogger Jimmy, at 6/05/2008 9:30 PM  

  • Praise God for what he has and will do in London.

    Thanks Louie for the update can't wait to hear more...

    Janet - CT

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/05/2008 9:33 PM  

  • Awesome!

    Aslan is on the move!!

    By Blogger stephen, at 6/05/2008 9:35 PM  

  • Louie & Shelley & Passion World Team

    * Praise God, Praise God, Praise God (sorry singing via typing)!!!! By the way, Love the pic in black praying from stage (AWESOME)

    Once again thanks for taking all of us along on this journey (Part one)thus far!! Manila will rock the place for Jesus and leave you guys refreshed as you all journey back to Atlanta soon!!!

    To all the students on the world tour stops Thanks for sharing your thoughts (loved reading your posts) and excitement to "Rock" your nation for Jesus in other words make Jesus famous in your nation.

    Hey Taiwan will be in South Korea soon and plan on visitng !! By the way, be encouraged I don't think you are the only one :-) !!

    Cannot wait for more details and the podcast!!

    God Bless,
    Angela

    By Blogger Unknown, at 6/05/2008 9:38 PM  

  • God bless london :)

    By Blogger alexintheworld, at 6/05/2008 9:47 PM  

  • wowwwwww...awesome!! AWESOME!!
    My heart was pleased to see the photos and read the blog and the comments of those who participated in London!
    Is wonderful to see God acting in each city, raising this generation to honor and glory of Your name!!
    London, we are praying for you!

    Hugs from Brazil!
    \o/

    By Blogger Wellington Albertini, at 6/05/2008 10:03 PM  

  • Thank you so much for shareing this fantastic journey these last few weeks.

    I am in awe of God! Glory to Your name Jesus.

    praying for safe travels and much needed rest and refreshing as you head for home. I bet for all of you, each one will be carrying away from this, something tailor made for you alone. Hold that dear to your heart and know God loves and is so proud of each and every one of you!!

    By Blogger Liz, at 6/05/2008 10:31 PM  

  • This is all very exciting, checking the blog for updates (and for reading new comments) has become an habit since the end of Passion Sao Paulo!

    I'm so excited abou what God's going to do, I don't know what it is, but I want my life to count for His renown! I'm actually thinking about spending 1 extra year in college (I'll still be able to work so it shouldn't be that much of a trouble... but whatever) because I can't believe I spent 3 and half years in my campus and haven't done much to make Jesus famous there... I've just found a ministry in my campus, and I want to organize my college grid to be able to join them and shine Jesus' light in my university and among the Youth Group of my church (of which I happen to be the leader this year).

    Jimmy: Amen to that, I felt the same way after Passion Sao Paulo... and I still feel the same! The opening video is just the perfect combination of amazing truth, clean stunningly beautiful graphics, and 'awesomeness' because every single word there is true and HE IS HERE! It still brings tear to my eyes :-)

    Lord, may you be glorified through the lives of every student who attended Passion in Kyiv, Stockholm, Sao Paulo, Kampala, Paris and now also London!! May you arise also in Manila and all the other cities!!!

    Man this is all awesome!

    London, I'm so happy for you! We'll keep praying for all of you!

    Thank you all around the world for your prayers for Sao Paulo!

    Thank you so much students from America who so generously shared Passion with us around the world!

    Thank you Louie and all the Passion team! Praying for safe trips and certainly very well deserved rest.

    I can't wait to know the details about London as well... :-)

    God bless you all!

    Rodrigo
    Sao Paulo - Brazil

    PS: I'll try to 'curb my enthusiasm' and be more concise in my next comments... :^)

    PPS: Incredible pictures, as always!

    By Blogger Rodrigo, at 6/05/2008 11:52 PM  

  • **the song in the opening video is also great... I just realized Id forgotten to mention it... go musicians, go! :^)

    By Blogger Rodrigo, at 6/06/2008 12:03 AM  

  • AWESOME!! :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 12:03 AM  

  • lots of people have been traveling which lets me share the fact that God is moving in all the areas by the help of the Passion World Tour.

    Hope you get some rest in the month break and the God prepares you to impact the rest of the World Tour starting back in Manila...

    -throughHislens

    By Blogger throughHislens, at 6/06/2008 12:31 AM  

  • PRAISE GOD!!!!

    I am praying that during this time off God blesses you all and refreshes and restores you!! May your hearts be filled with God's presence even though you are not in front of thousands of people. may you get to see God in the small blessings of day to day life. We serve a mighty God that is in the roar of a awesome crowd (in many languages) but also in the whisper of our quite hearts!! I am longing to hear the great news (and many voices) on the podcast - but right now I am happy that you guys are safe and all went well. Thank you for serving God!! His name resounds because of your willingnes and humbleness!!

    forever HIS child,
    freedom

    By Blogger Freedom, at 6/06/2008 12:49 AM  

  • Have just come back from helping out at the wonderful, wonderful Passion. Packing up socks and towels and putting away stuff has never been so far....and we got to dance around to the Crowder too!

    Anyways, you guys rock.

    By Blogger Alex Ferguson, at 6/06/2008 2:20 AM  

  • sounds awesome!!

    By Blogger Mayra, at 6/06/2008 3:12 AM  

  • From Den Helder (my hometown & and navybase of Holland) We were praying like warriors for Jesus!
    I can't stop saying 'thank God for the passion movement'..
    And I still have the songs of Paris in my head :P
    Louie,i'm sure thank if passion would come next year to Amsterdam.. there will be at least 2 times more people than Londen.(I know it's not about people but,there is such an hunger of more of Jesus in Holland.

    Blessings Joel.
    (the dude who gave you the Dutch flag!)

    By Blogger the adventures of Joel, at 6/06/2008 3:20 AM  

  • Last night was awesome, nothing more fitting for an awesome God of this city!

    Here is a small impression (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=36pLMSzct14) when Louie asked us to pray for Manila...

    As Joel wrote in the comment above, come to Amsterdam next year!! Although this was a good excuse for me to travel to London again, haha

    By Blogger Martin, at 6/06/2008 4:35 AM  

  • Hip-hip-hurah,

    It is always a pleasure to chat with Passion Vols;they are a good lot, the Brits were very kind. And
    Louie, the same message after all these years and it always feels better than the last. It is a good message isn't it? A perfect Passion
    night, what that word originally meant is woven into my heart...
    I only missed one thing, but it isn't entirely up to us is it? Sad but I thank God for that; it gives some room to grow... You have my best for the rest of the tour. I hope u all have a long summer's nap planned for now.


    Stephen
    Col 3:17 (that verse was around when you were in school!)

    PS congratulations on you and Chris T.'s new endevaor.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 5:09 AM  

  • To be on the other side of the world in South Africa yet still so close to everyone united in prayer for this amazing event is also WOW!!! Not long then its our turn in Johannesburg. I am not a student(age limit beyond)but always spreading the news of what God is doing all over the world for students.To see the love of God shine on their faces brings great joy.Louie you & the entire team deserve a well earned rest. God bless you all with joy,love & hope in Him to spread to all you come across.Till next time....be happy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 5:30 AM  

  • Hi Guys
    After chatting with you about London and praying together, and after many emails and chats I was sad not to be able to be there with you due to ill health.
    But God is much bigger than I am and he is much bigger than passion yet he chooses to use us for his glory. It sounds like he used you guys to speak to many students in the UK.
    I continue to pray for you all and ask that you pray for me as I get over this virus.
    Yours in Christ
    Clive

    By Blogger Clive Parnell, at 6/06/2008 5:39 AM  

  • wow...thanks guys for coming, you got me so fired up!just what i needed ;p i was so moved by the support when london was screaming for manila, the two cities that i love! (if your wondering im a filipino studying and lived back and forth in london)
    ...im sure Gods glory will be shinning in manila, i know that the youth there are so pumped up for God! will be praying for you guys and my home country, for a refreshing encounter from God and a revival for the nation! they need Jesus (especially the rich brats in manila..they know who they are- *ahem brentonians!*..haha)---and by the way thats where the event is gona be, at Ultra right?.thats where my old highschool used to be..sorry im blabbing on, just so excited for them!

    its truly amazing what God is doing and can do in the world through your talents and gifts...and boy that drummer can drum!!! (from Chris Tomlins band) and did i mention hes pretty hot?..haha!
    anyways! GOD IS AMAZINGLY GOOD! more power and praise to him!x

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 5:46 AM  

  • London rocked my world!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 6:17 AM  

  • Tears are streaming down my face. I was unable to make it to London, but what I prayed for happened exactly! Oh man I dont even know what else to say.

    By Blogger AdamDePasqua, at 6/06/2008 8:05 AM  

  • Hey Louie & The Passion Team

    last night absolutely rocked!

    Feel like I've been waiting for you guys to come to the UK forever, but it was so completely worth the wait!

    I feel shattered but fired up, inspired and impacted by the tangible presence of God in the Apollo last night. It lived up to my expectations and then some! so great to hear ashley's journal entries too - awesome.

    Thanks so much for all you invested in making this world tour happen - it's definitely making waves for The King and his Kingdom!

    Shine!
    Will

    By Blogger themakowers, at 6/06/2008 8:23 AM  

  • Last night was incredible, to be in a massive theatre filled with people in love with Jesus!

    Greater things are yet to come, and greater things are still be done in this city! London, Jesus is PASSIONATE about you!

    By Blogger Juliagoolia, at 6/06/2008 8:27 AM  

  • Last night God changed my life forever. I think i finally got what i had heard so much about: God's heart for his people. His GRACE is HUGE.

    before i came i was all set to tell people today that last night was fun and that it was really awesome to spend time with so many passionate christians and to worship him an be encouraged. now after last night i can confidently tell them that it was the BEST night of my life to date because yesterday God showed me that his love has no end.

    There is no one like our God.

    thank you for dreaming big. dreaming that this tour could be a reality. and having the balls to just do it.

    the world needs this message because as it changes our lives it will change the face of the world.

    I need to move like the wind to uni now because not all of us brits have finished our exams yet! but seriously, God did something in my heart last night and I thank all you guys at passion making the space and the opportunity for me to prick up my ears and take it in.

    Manila is going to explode with an overflow of God's friggin HUGE love on August 1st!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 8:33 AM  

  • The Paris crowd followed you and covered you in prayer, London. The Lord will bless both of these beautiful cities, now connected by more than just the Chunnel!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 8:48 AM  

  • WoooW! Great to hear it was a blessed night. I'd prayed for all the student in London and for my fellow students who were at Passion Paris. God is so amazing! He really loves all the students over the world and we should tell them! I hope Passion London will make a huge difference in this beautiful city.

    Jeroen, from Holland

    By Blogger Jeroen, at 6/06/2008 9:05 AM  

  • I was at the London event last night, unfortunately had to leave before the end so didn't get to hear the David Crowder Band, but for the rest of it, 1 word only sums up the whole thing WOW!! I had an amazing time there and it was such a blessing.

    You guys have to come back real soon! I just want it to happen all over again tonight!

    But it again threw home the truth that our God is the God who save and he can move mountains. Ahsley's story definitely proved both of those!!

    Will be praying for you in Manila - and I'm wearing my wristband til August :) but enjoy your break and gather up much needed strength for the next leg of the tour!
    I've been reading the blogs from the other places and God really is moving across this small world of ours.

    Naomi

    By Blogger Naomi, at 6/06/2008 9:15 AM  

  • I'm so grateful to God, that He listened our prayers from Paris to London...I continued to pray here in Italy...I prayed last night with all the passion I have in my heart , crying and asking to God to litterally blow his Spirit over you and over the city, the Spirit of Life that can make an army from a valley of bones!!!
    And then I prayed all the day long for you yesterday, every time I watched my bracelet, my toughts were for you!
    Yes God do always what we expect Him to do, and many times He does much more than it!
    I'm so grateful for London but even for all the other amazing nights in Kyiv, Stockholm, Sao Paulo, Kampala and Paris. God has really done great things in these cities and my heart is full of joy!!!I'm humbled by his power and by his love and his mercy!!
    I will continue to pray for you Louie and all the Passion team, and for the next cities!!

    From a a very grateful heart
    much love,

    Daniela

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 9:40 AM  

  • An amazing night - truly wonderful. Big shout out to all my fellow green-shirted volunteers, especially the early morning crew. It was an honour and priviledge to serve the Living God and His church alongside you. Pray you all have safe trips back to the four corners of the world you came from (i.e. Berkskire, SW London, and Texas! - OK so that's only three, but Texas is a big place!). Blessings y'all!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 9:40 AM  

  • Incredible night! God really broke my heart last night and it was amazing!

    You guys travel around the world with such passion and courageous faith - it's CONTAGIOUS!

    BRING ON MANILA! keep up all the good work. You are inspiring so many young people.

    By Blogger lglover, at 6/06/2008 10:43 AM  

  • hi,
    I watched Louie's 'anchor of Hope' talk earlier this year and have not been able to get Ashley or 'fruitcake' out of my head and didn't know why.

    I wasn't even going to go to passion London because i couldn't get out of work but then God moved things around (as he does!) so that i could go.

    As soon as i heard Louie start to talk about ashley i nearly burst out crying! I knew God had kept ashley on my mind becasue that lesson wasn't finished!

    Hearing Ashleys words and her amazing wit made me love her even more and i really can't wait to meet her in heaven! I was blown away by how in control God is and how one person can show the grace of God in such a real and loving way.

    God is an awesome and great director and i am blessed and excited to be in HIS story!

    May God bless the passion team for their willingness to say 'yes Lord' and i am inspired to do the same!

    Manila.....Get ready, the Spirit is coming!!!!!

    Vix
    London

    By Blogger Vix Lawless, at 6/06/2008 11:52 AM  

  • Wow I am so excited to see what God is doing with your hearts for these students all over the world! I have a huge place in my heart for the movement and mission. I went to Passion atlanta in '07 and it really did open my eyes and my life to why I am here. Now because of Gods grace I am going to India and Malaysia for the summer to worship His name with college students! He has blown me away and as if this oppertunity wasn't enough he is bringing it all full circle and Letting me be a part of the Kuala lumpar Passion. I can not WAIT to see what God has in store for the city because I know without a doubt he is going to BLOW it away!

    By Blogger Expressions by Amber, at 6/06/2008 12:07 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Brian and Susan, at 6/06/2008 12:13 PM  

  • Louie and all at Passion,

    THANK YOU for coming to London. I was so glad to take students along to the event, and so glad that the message we all heard was completely on the money.

    To gather so many students together for the name of Jesus is always a huge encouragement, and to hear the most powerful testimony I've ever heard was a great exhortation to live my life walking in Jesus' ways.

    You encapsulated exactly what I've been feeling God doing in my life: stirring up a desire for the name and renown of Jesus. I am one of the ones you mentioned who will spend their life in some far-flung country spreading the fame of God; God reconfirmed my call to mission last night.

    Soli deo gloria!

    By Blogger Chris Hillcoat, at 6/06/2008 12:30 PM  

  • Manila, i cant wait for you guys to experience passion, we are praying and will continue to pray until 01/august/2008.

    I know that in this city there are better things to come in LONDON.

    Thank you guys for last night it was amazing and i cant wait for you guys to come back.

    By Blogger catzeyes, at 6/06/2008 2:22 PM  

  • WOW WOW WOW!!! I am loving this!! God is moving all over the World!! Look out God is moving and I don't want to be in the way.

    Louie, I am loving the podcasts (I am a little behind on listening to them) but they are reminding me that God is bigger then my tiny town of Waco, Texas. Blessings to you all! :)

    Jamie <><

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 3:30 PM  

  • absolutly loved last nite, thanks for all u guys put into it it was amazing!
    really encouraged me to talk to my friends more about my faith, before its too late etc!
    thanks again! :)

    By Blogger Ineke, at 6/06/2008 4:49 PM  

  • Thank you so much for coming to the UK!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 5:47 PM  

  • One word. BRILLIANT!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 5:47 PM  

  • HI Louie,

    Attended the conference yesterday, was really touching, specially the story about "fruitcake". I was just wondering if it is possible for me to obtain a copy of the testimony to share it with the youths in my church; would be a real blessing.
    Thanks,
    God Bless

    By Blogger Rejoy, at 6/06/2008 7:40 PM  

  • OH MY!! I have no words to express the AWESOMENESS of passion london!!! totally speachless!!! every word fails to describe just how WOW it was! it's been 26 hours since it ended and i'm still "buzzing"! thank you so much for coming to the UK!! I experienced a new kind of freedom before God that i never knew before, the night was beyond all of my wildest expectations. I can't wait to take this to my youth group, to my church, to my city, to spread the vision to see young people totally on fire n sold out for the one who gave it all! This is the desire of our hearts.

    Thank you so much for coming!! please come back! please come to northern ireland! i never wanted the night to end! thank you so much. May God continue to use this in a mighty way and to spead this fire to manila!

    god bless

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2008 8:48 PM  

  • sweet onetruth shirt pic! thanks for all the updates and podcasts! keep up all the awesome work on the World Tour!

    By Blogger Axiomwear, at 6/08/2008 11:00 PM  

  • Hiya, a group of us from Ayr in scotland flew down for the Passion Tour at the Hammersmith Apollo and it was one of the best decisions we have ever made. The whole atmosphere was awesome. God is truly changing the cities!

    X

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/11/2008 10:54 AM  

  • To Passion Team (Esp. to Chris T.)

    I'm from Manila, and i am very excited that at last you will come. This is an answered prayer for me. can't wait to see you here till the conference on Aug. 1. Surely, Manila will rock.... God is Faithful!!!

    vangie

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/24/2008 5:06 AM  

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