Almost 30 years ago, two individuals started an organization that has swept across the nation and had everlasting effects on thousands of people across the globe.
Louie and Shelley Giglio have devotedly led the Passion movement and its partnering affiliations since the late 1900s, and have made it their mission to unite countless individuals of all ages for the likes of deepening their faith.
Over the winter break, over 55,000 people – mainly from the ages of 18 to 22 years old – assembled in unity at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia starting on the evening of Jan. 3, 2024 for a holy, fulfilling, worthwhile gathering: Passion 2024.
“Since our first gathering in 1997, Passion has had one goal: calling students from across the country and around the world to leverage their lives for what matters most—the name and renown of Jesus. Decades later, this is still our heartbeat,” the Passion website declared. “Rooted in the confession of Isaiah 26:8, Passion exists to glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer and justice for spiritual awakening in this generation.”
The Passion 2024 agenda featured both Christian musical groups as well as a plethora of preachers and evangelist speakers. The so-called “headliners” for the event included Louie and Shelley Giglio, Sadie and Christian Huff, and Passion Music. Other artists and speakers such as Crowder, Sean Curran, Kari Jobe Carnes, Cody Carnes, Brooke Ligertwood, KB, Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, Christine Caine, Ben Stuart, Levi Lusko, Jonathan Pokluda, and Earl McClellan were also in attendance as well.
“I’m at @passion268 conference this week and it is AMAZING. 55,000 eighteen to twenty five year olds are gathered here at @mercedesbenzstadium in Atlanta to seek the face of Jesus. What a joy to just be invited into this room. And what an honor to be asked to lead tonight with my good friend @brandonlake. It’s gonna be wild!! Last night was incredible and I can’t wait to see what God has in store today,” Christian singer and songwriter, Phil Wickham, stated on his Instagram feed on the second day of the conference.
Many of the individuals in attendance at Passion 2024 will testify that it was a once in a lifetime experience that many hope is not soon forgotten. The chorus of over 55,000 individuals vulnerably pouring out their hearts and souls into worship was described by many to be an unbelievably tender and humble moment; a moment that anyone would be incredibly blessed and fortunate to witness.
“Holy, holy, holy! We were in the thin space between heaven & earth this week at #passion2024! 55k of the most passionate 18-25 year olds showed up with expectation & faith to experience the power of God. What transpired was everything our team earnestly prayed for too. There are so many highlight moments of what God did & how we saw him, but, most notably was during our final session. I’ve been a part of thousands of worship Gatherings to this point of my life & this was one of the most stunning, beautiful, glory-filled, desperate, holy, raw & unforgettable 19 minutes & 10 seconds of my life,” Pastor of Creative Programming at Passion City Church, Brian Wurzell, stated on his Instagram regarding an unscripted, audience-led, 20 minute acapella interlude of the song “Agnus Dei.” “The kindness of God to just give us another layer of a glimpse of His glory. The roar of heaven, through the people of God, in such a tender & kind way. We asked Him to show us more & He did!”
Another one of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring moments that occurred during the span of Passion 2024 took place on the third and final day of the conference when the one million dollar goal was achieved and surpassed for the illumiNations “12 Verse Challenge” initiative.
“The 12 Verse Challenge is a campaign hosted by illumiNations as a simple next step for individuals, churches, and families: Commit to $35 a month to translate 12 verses of Scripture each year, until the work is done. If just 1% of Christians in America took the 12 Verse Challenge, the funding to translate Scripture for all people, everywhere would be complete! We invite you to bravely and joyfully accept God’s invitation to join our unified community of givers to eradicate Bible poverty for good,” the illumiNations website illustrated.
Since 2007, the Passion movement gatherings have selflessly collected and donated over 18 million dollars to the countless partner organizations that Passion collaborates with year after year.
At Passion 2024 alone, over 2.3 million dollars were raised, thereby raising the total donation count to over 20.3 million dollars.
With the donations collected during Passion 2024, the entire translation of Biblical Scripture has been fully funded and is now being translated into the Aymara language for the first time. It is currently in the works, and it is on its way to the hands of the Peruvian people in South America who have never had a translation of the Bible in their language.
From an overall standpoint, Passion 2024 was the absolute picture of abundant success and holiness amongst a vast crowd of the younger Christian generation who were overflowing with the spirit and love of their Savior.
For information regarding the Passion movement and its companion branches, please visit passionconferences.com/about/ and passionconferences.com/.
