A Work of Art: Lifest 2005
by Michelle Malone

Imagine a magnificent, animated collage of mixed medium including musicians beaming with their hearts’ desire to ignite lives with the truth of Christ’s love, speakers radiating with fiery messages of encouragement and guidance, friend’s and family members shining with excitement to have a weekend away from the ordinary, and volunteers, vendors and staff glowing with their attitudes and actions of service, combine it with perfect summer days surrounded by campgrounds, and you will have a glimpse of Lifest 2005.

Looking from a distance, the colorful glow sprinkled with movement looked like one perfectly woven piece of art, and when examined closely, you will see some of the many details that create such a masterpiece.

Focusing in on an especially vibrant spot, you will find youngsters busy in activity, some creating unique items from clay, others jumping in an inflated room filled with balloons, and still others reveling in melodies from a band of college students who choose to spend their summer sharing their abilities to lead multiple aged crowds in worship.

The musicians and the uplifting wide variety of colorful sounds sent forth from them was the base of this full creation of art, which focused on glorifying God.

Upon scrutiny of a spot where the shade of the barn stages radiated with light, messages of encouragement to choose Christ as Lord and truly live the Christian life projected from groups including Seventh Day Slumber and Day of Fire.

Following Matthew West through the living work, you will find him shining in the sun on the main stage, and then later under a red and white stripped tent. Exuberance trailed him as he produced a freshness including the impromptu creation of a new song, and jokes about “Crazy Charlie,” his relative who was among the many who appreciated experiencing his talent.

A distant view of a stage at the corner of the event reveals a weary audience
quickly brought to its feet and inflated with energy as Salvador poured out music of a lively Latin evening.

Pin pointing the right time and location, you will notice Kristal Meyers duck into the inviting media room set up with couches to get out of the heat, the same spot where many other artists and speakers came to share their friendly and open demeanors, patient and willing attitudes, and time with those involved in radio, magazines and online web sites.

Digging deeper into that location, Scott Wesley Brown is found sharing life stories with a radio representative. He began around the same time as Keith Green, and has been involved in numerous projects since, including one where he traveled encouraging budding artists to use their talents to serve the Lord through missions.

With the attitude of reaching out to the nations, Caedmon's Call, in a small tented section of the collage, had invited those interested to learn about their Share the Well outreach and to promote involvement in missions.

This focus of touching others with the truth and actions of Christ was a main thread in the Lifest formation, as Tony Campolo passionately portrayed on the main stage.

As you can see just from a look into a very small portion, Lifest 2005 combined many elements to bring people of different experiences, tastes, ages, nationalities and purposes to make a miraculous creation that focused on the message of sharing God’s truth and love. It will remain in the heart and minds of those in attendance for years to come.