RE:ACHING Asia

By: Bethany Ruck

RE:ACHING Asia

When you think of going on a mission trip, you probably envision a group of people walking the streets of a third-world nation, handing out pamphlets, and making an attempt to connect with the locals. But have you ever pictured an American rock band reaching the lost in those same nations? Picture with me for a moment thousands of young people jumping up and down, shouting hallelujah and raising their hands to Jesus. That’s exactly what the American worship band, RE:ZOUND, has been bringing to Asia over the past four years.

“God has really called us specifically to reach young people in other nations. So we’ve invented rock crusades, where thousands of young people from other countries who have never heard the message of Christ, come out to hear an American rock band.” Jason Anderson, lead vocalist of RE:ZOUND, explains, “Most of the time they have never really seen a stage and production that big, but only heard about such rock events.” RE:ZOUND rock crusades have already sparked change in India, where on their most recent trip, over 100,000 people attended and over 15,000 young people received Christ.

They are returning to Asia this March, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where they are expecting to have over 60,000 in attendance. Ninety-eight percent of the crowd have probably never even heard about Jesus, so the event is part performance but mostly worship. “You can make an intimate connection with God without music,” Jason says, “but music is a powerful tool.”

RE:ZOUND’s innovative approach on mission’s work takes the western rock sound beyond western walls, drawing thousands of young people who wouldn’t normally attend a Gospel-centered event. They are going to places where other US bands don’t go, reaching an audience of young people who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. The people of these nations crave western culture and with our culture, they find our God. It’s a fresh idea in ministry with the musicians completely focused on reaching the lost and bringing an atmosphere of revival. Over multiple nights worship of God is introduced, and the gospel is then presented as the presence of God falls. “The music is the platform. It is a tool to open hearts, but it is the message that changes lives.” explains Jason. “If we can change the young people of a nation, we can change the nation.”

“Spreading the gospel is expensive,” says Jason. “The places we go, the people don’t have money to buy cds or t-shirts, or pay for tickets, so we have to help the record company and local church raise the money to send us.” RE:ZOUND is joining with several publishers to help provide enough Bibles for those who receive Christ, but they also want to present an opportunity for you to be a part of helping God’s word change someone’s life. You too can help by making a donation towards Bibles. For contributors who donate $35 or more, RE:ZOUND will be sending you an autographed advance copy of their new album, 35 Weeks. This album has not yet been released and isn’t in stores! For more information, visit rezound.com.

Vertical Shift Records will be releasing RE:ZOUND’s latest album, 35 Weeks in the Spring of 2007. Front man Jason Anderson reveals, “This album is a reflection on all that has happened in our lives over the past years. God has given us so much favor with the nations, and the giftings and tools we need to be effective. There are songs of celebrating personal trials, of the unity among the nations, of love, pain, and of course we were sure to include a spiritual message.” The album features an assortment of unique rhythms, grounded with plenty of guitars, and brightened with poppy vocals and keyboards. They lyrical poetry ranges from raw, like discussing the effects television has on the minds of it’s viewers, to deep metaphorical, thought-invoking verse.

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Please visit rezound.com and support their mission work in Asia.

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