As the music evolves, the message remains powerful for Chris Quilala and Jesus Culture.
The artist and worship pastor and his touring band continue to bring out the best in Christian pop and contemporary worship music – especially now, in the most trying of times throughout the country.
Quilala’s heart lies within the songs he writes, which offer freedom and build strength for the church – Jesus Culture of Sacramento (Calif.) – he helped establish nearly three years ago. Jesus Culture is an American, international, Christian revivalist, youth outreach ministry.
“We’re just trying to be good stewards of what God has given us,” Quilala said from his Sacramento-area home.
Jesus Culture brings its inspirational sound to the ShoWare Center on Saturday, Aug. 12, part of the Outcry Summer Tour, which includes Lauren Daigle, Bethel Music, Local Sound, speaker Chad Veach, and special guest Martin Smith.
The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Jesus Culture, composed of worship leaders and musicians, began in 1999 and recorded its first album in 2005 at a youth and young adult conference in Redding, Calif. Since then, Jesus Culture has released nine annual live albums and more than 20 solo artist albums.
Jesus Culture leads worship services at its church and abroad through conference events and worldwide tours. Its latest release, “Let It Echo” (2016), climbed to the top 10 on the iTunes overall chart and debuted at No. 1 on the Christian/gospel chart. Jesus Culture has sold more than one million albums worldwide since its debut project in 2005, garnered more than 3.8 million followers on social media and over 34 million views on YouTube.
For Quilala and his band, the tour is a grand assembly of artists, worship leaders and speakers who highlight the creativity, heart and mission of the local church.
“The tour is a really good example of what that could look like when the church comes together, focused around music and worship,” he said. “It’s something special when we worship as a body.”
Beginning as a call to celebrate and champion the local church – the Bride of Christ – Outcry has grown since its inception 2015. The spring concert run sold out large churches and event centers throughout the country. After a short break, the concert series resumes with a 12-stop, seven-state tour in August.
“It’s been awesome,” Quilala said of the tour. “The songs resonate in different areas (of the country). It’s an amazing night (of music and gospel). … We’re excited to hit the road again.”
“Our heart for the local church and local church leaders is what I believe sets us apart from other tours,” said Ryan Romeo, the tour’s creative director. “We don’t put on a show, we have church, and that has been resonating in every city we step into.”
For tickets and more information, visit showarecenter.com.