The final day of Spirit West Coast Monterey 2005 was filled with performances by the great talents of today’s Christian music, from Bethany Dillon to Pillar. From the first half of the day, many SWC attendants had already set up beach chairs and picnic blankets stretching all across the field before the K-Love main stage for the special main stage performances throughout the day leading up to the night’s headliners, Third Day.
The morning opened up with beautiful worship led by the “Neighborhood Church – Chico” followed by devotions with Tene Shake. Then the bands By the Tree, Dizmas and The Myriad rocked the stages (main, Air 1, and Tooth & Nail stages respectively) throughout the latter part of the morning. Workshops including the New Believer’s Class, Tech Café, New Song Café, and seminars by Jose Zayas, Alex McFarland, and Mike Pilavachi proved to be great inspiration and guidance for the many aspiring to serve God in ministry through music and mission.
Kathy P. from Redbluff, California testified, “Before coming to SWC, I just came to see my favorite bands and hang out with my friends and have lotsa fun together and meet cool people. But then, after taking the time to attend the workshops and seminars, I could see that God wants to do so much in my life. I could see how shallow I was a Christian who just attended Sunday Service as a ritual. But now, God changed my heart and I want to go deeper. I don’t know how God can change my heart in one day, but I do not want to be the same person as I used to be. I was someone who only pretended to love God and pretended to love all people. But I still had so much jealousy and hatred. After hearing the messages throughout the last 3 days, I want to surrender my whole life to God’s will. I hope that when I go back home, my home church can guide me to become a better devoted Christian.”
More events took place throughout the afternoon, including performances by rising bands BarlowGirl, Falling Up, and Supertones. The girls of BarlowGirl did not fail to amaze the crowd with their passionate vocals and firm conviction in the Lord. Shortly after, Kutless took over the main stage with their radio and worship hits.
As the summer heat cooled off, Todd Agnew entered the stage in simple honesty and sincerity, challenging every person in the crowd with the piercing message of the Truth. The crowd was silenced as he took every human’s self-centeredness apart towards God. Agnew spoke of the pureness of the Gospel and said, “We really don’t matter. Turn your attention to the Lord, let Him speak to You.” Many teens, youth, parents who have lost track of the direction of their faith came to meditate on the words spoken through Agnew, a gifted songwriter, performer, as well as speaker.
Andy J. from Los Angeles, California looked up at the sky and with eyes closed, he said, “I am a sinner. Todd’s words really killed my ego…what I mean is that… I don’t need to and I shouldn’t keep thinking about myself anymore. It’s a pain to God and to the world when my life only revolves around me. Todd’s words were soo raw. I could feel the pain of the world and of God in my bones like I never did before.”
Following Agnew, Josh McDowell, one of America’s top Christian leaders since the 1970s who could finally make it to SWC after eight years, delivered a message about his spiritual quest journey, “A Skeptic’s Quest.” The evening message shook the hearts of the people as McDowell revealed the living proof that the Son of God, Jesus Christ is indeed the way, the Truth, and the life. Many came to see the miracle of God in McDowell’s heartbreaking testimony.
The ultimate headline of SWC 2005 was Third Day, who swept the crowd’s feet off the floor. The whole arena was chockfull of young and old Third Day fans who sang along to every Third Day song. The familiar melodies from this long-cherished band became the highlight of the night. At Spirit West Coast Monterey this year, 20,000 people gathered under one God with over 500 saved and over 55 baptized. Thus, making this festival the true victory of God.
