It’s a few days late, but I want to catch the out of towners up on our once in a lifetime experience at Elevation this past Sunday. Cliff Barrows traveled the globe leading music for Dr. Billy Graham for over 50 years. Mr. Barrows was our special and honored guest on Palm Sunday at Elevation. He shared from the perspective of an 85 year old who is finishing strong. He reflected on how to fulfill God’s purpose in your generation. I’d say he’s qualified to speak to that.

He quoted 1 Chronicles 28:20 over me and over our church. That fired me up.
Then he prayed over us, and the presence of God filled our auditorium in a unique and difficult-to-describe way. The background music during consisted of Matt on keys and a couple hundred people sobbing and sniffling. I think the reason they were so emotional was twofold:

• To have a man who has traveled the world with Billy Graham and occupied a front row seat for a genuine move of God pray for us-and tell us in one service that he wishes he could be on the inside of what God is doing at Elevation-really put things into perspective. We’re a part of something colossal.
• Some people pray like they know how to pray. He prayed like he knew the One he was praying to.

It was an experience I’ll never forget.
To see my congregation enthusiastically honor a great man of God and to see the way he honored us right back made a deep impression on me.
And taking communion together as Mr. Barrows lead us in Just As I Am made me love the Gospel like it was the first time I’d heard it.

It can be done. We can finish the race with integrity.
You ought to watch the service here (LINK). A wise investment of your time, I think.

By the way, below is a priceless outtake from our pre-recorded interview in Dr. Graham’s office here in Charlotte.
For all of you who think multi-site is new and cutting edge, prepare to be humbled.
Mr. Barrows is the original multi-site guru, whether you like it or not.
There’s nothing new under the sun, man. Click to see what I mean.