Texas rockers Luminate headline the fourth annual Break Free, a free Christian conference in Hamlin. The event, held at Lincoln County High School, begins May 4.
Among this year's performers are Kimber Rising and 7eventh Time Down, both of whom are return attendees. This will be the third year for Kimber Rising, an all-girl pop trio who also help with conference breakout sessions for girls. Rockers 7eventh Time Down performed at the inaugural event in 2009.
The headliner is Luminate, a rock group from Texas. Its debut album, "Come Home," was released last year and spawned several hits on Christian radio. In the fall, the band will tour with Newsboys and Building 429.
The remaining performers are all rock and/or pop acts from West Virginia: The Turn Around (Hurricane), Sycamore (Hamlin), Karen Spurlock (Kenova), Shea (Beckley), Torn in Two (Barboursville) and Rise 123 (Barboursville). Speaker Mark Thomas will also be there.
In the past, the event has featured The Wrecking, Among the Thirsty, Chasen and Philmont.
"Financially we can't get the biggest bands, so we try to find newer bands that we think will be successful in the industry," Basham said. "Kids will come to see these bands, then follow them, and when these bands blow up, they can think, 'Hey, we got to meet them.'
"Music is a huge drive behind what we do in our conference. Whether they come for the Christianity or the rock music, we want to see lots of teens come in to know Jesus."
Reach Amy Robinson at flips...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4881.
Click to learn more about Luminate, 7eventh Time Down, Kimber Rising, The Turn Around, Sycamore, Karen Spurlock, Shea, Torn in Two or Rise 123.
WANT TO GO?
Break Free
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. May 4 and 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Lincoln County High School, Hamlin
COST: Free
INFO: www.breakfreelc.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- On May 4, nine contemporary Christian bands will be in Hamlin for Break Free, a Christian youth concert and conference. Now in its fourth year, the nonprofit Lincoln County ministry was founded by Jamie Elkins and Will Basham.
"[There was] a passion to see more and more young people come to Jesus. We were seeing an area that a lot of churches weren't focusing on -- youth ministry -- and we saw an opportunity to reach out to that group," said Basham, the organization's vice president and Hamlin Baptist Church's youth pastor.
Break Free is free, which was always the intention. Not only do teens not have a lot of money, Basham noted, but Hamlin is also a rural community with a lot of poverty.
"We didn't want to do it if we couldn't do it for free."
Break Free splits the weekend into two parts, introducing it in a lively manner with a concert Friday, then continuing the fellowship with the conference Saturday.
"The strategy to reach students is that we get them to come out Friday night when we have music. It's a big party, but we have an evangelistic component to it," he said. "On the second day, we strengthen the ones who are already Christians and be the first step for the ones who committed the night before. We connect them and work to get them plugged into a local church."
Among this year's performers are Kimber Rising and 7eventh Time Down, both of whom are return attendees. This will be the third year for Kimber Rising, an all-girl pop trio who also help with conference breakout sessions for girls. Rockers 7eventh Time Down performed at the inaugural event in 2009.
The headliner is Luminate, a rock group from Texas. Its debut album, "Come Home," was released last year and spawned several hits on Christian radio. In the fall, the band will tour with Newsboys and Building 429.
The remaining performers are all rock and/or pop acts from West Virginia: The Turn Around (Hurricane), Sycamore (Hamlin), Karen Spurlock (Kenova), Shea (Beckley), Torn in Two (Barboursville) and Rise 123 (Barboursville). Speaker Mark Thomas will also be there.
In the past, the event has featured The Wrecking, Among the Thirsty, Chasen and Philmont.
"Financially we can't get the biggest bands, so we try to find newer bands that we think will be successful in the industry," Basham said. "Kids will come to see these bands, then follow them, and when these bands blow up, they can think, 'Hey, we got to meet them.'
"Music is a huge drive behind what we do in our conference. Whether they come for the Christianity or the rock music, we want to see lots of teens come in to know Jesus."
Reach Amy Robinson at flips...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4881.
Click to learn more about Luminate, 7eventh Time Down, Kimber Rising, The Turn Around, Sycamore, Karen Spurlock, Shea, Torn in Two or Rise 123.
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