The Omnibus

Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Mary Cherrito Christian recording artist Matthew West performs "Next Thing You Know" at the Christmas Promise Tour in Southwest Baptist University's Pike Auditorium Nov. 27. For more photos, see page 8, "Christmas Promise Tour Brings cheer to SBU."

Approximately 747 people filled Pike Auditorium on the Southwest Baptist University campus Tuesday to see and listen to Christian recording artists NewSong, Todd Agnew, Matthew West, Britt Nicole and Nate Sallie.
The dynamic group made their first stop on the 18-city 2007 Christmas Promise Tour in Bolivar.
The concert, sponsored in part by 88.3 The Wind, gave attendees a refreshed way to view the holiday season.
The group led the audience in a few favorite Christmas songs and Matthew West sang two songs, "Next Thing You Know" from his album "History" and a new song from his upcoming album "Something to Say."
NewSong discussed the ideas that formulated the song "Christmas Shoes," and the events which eventually led up to a movie being made based around the song. The band also talked about the new Christmas movie being released, depicting the same characters from "Christmas Shoes" later in life.
The artists played classic Christmas songs including "Little Drummer Boy" and Agnew performed "Do you Hear What I Hear?"
Agnew asked the audience to consider how Mary, Joseph and other people present at the birth of Jesus felt and had West, Nicole and members of NewSong sing from those people's perspectives.
NewSong talked about their work with Holt International, the organization that sponsored the tour.
Holt International is "dedicated to carrying out God's plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family."
In the 1950s, Harry and Bertha Holt watched a film about Korean orphanages in need of clothing and money. Instead of sending money or clothing, the Holt's bravely adopted eight Korean children. Because federal laws at this time made it impossible to adopt foreign children, the Holt's had to get both Houses of Congress to pass a law. According to their website, "Holt International is the largest adoption agency, having nearly 40,000 children with adoptive families in the United States."
An invitation was given to let audience members have the opportunity to support children waiting for a permanent home. Over 30 people pledged to sponsor children through Holt Internationl.
Following the concert, some of the artists were available to sign merchandise and talk with fans.
When asked, West commented on his experience at SBU.
"The food in the cafeteria was very edible," said West. "And your treadmill [in the Wellness Center] was very excercisable."

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