A View From The Back: Crossroads

Posted on December 4, 2013 Updated on February 6, 2014

*My newest post about my View From The Back*

On November 20-24 I got to do my first official “Audio Specialist” gig for the PSW Cru (Pacific Southwest Region of Cru – California, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Arizona). It came with some audio challenges, as well as a confirmation from the Lord that I am exactly where He wants me!

My week consisted of setting up on Wednesday for a staff conference for about 250 staff from the region. I was so thrilled to be able to see many of my friends and staff family again, it had been about 6 months since I had seen some of them. As far as audio goes, I was not really challenged too much during this 2 day conference, but it was still a lot of fun to be in the back!

On Friday, over 400 students came for a conference called Crossroads. Crossroads is a conference for Juniors and Seniors in Cru who are trying to decide what they want to do after they graduate. This year we brought in people from the military, professional sports, medical industry as well as other professions to show students we want them to be “100% Sent”. 100% Sent is a motto we use to let students know that no matter what profession you end of choosing when you graduate, that you are sent there to bring the Gospel to those that you work with.

As I was sitting in the back of the room behind the sound board, i saw hundreds of students come rushing into the first meeting. They were dancing to the music I had picked out, ready to have a good time and hear from the Lord! Around 7:00pm the first meeting started off with musical worship. I remember looking out into the sea of students (and taking the picture up top) overcome with emotion. As I see students lifting their hands in an act of surrender of their lives to God, realizing that God gave me the ability to mix the sound in a way that students could undistractedly worship Christ. It may seem like a small thing to most people, but as I thought about me being able to use the gifts God has given me in such an awesome environment, I began to cry in the back. I had never really felt such emotion helping in that way, but I just realized the Lord has blessed me to do what I love to glorify Him.

*Audiophile time!* Anyone knows sound stuff, knows this rig probably should not have worked for 600+ people! With a two 600W powered mixer (Mackie 808s), with 6 speakers and a sub we made it work! I daisy chained two left speakers on one send and two right speakers, all spaced out about 20 feet since it was such a wide room. Since I only had 8 channels to work with I could only mic 3 singers, keys and acoustic guitar (the other three channels were wireless mics for MC, Keynote and interviewee). I left the volume for electric guitar, bass and drums up to themselves. Miraculously it all worked out somehow, but all I know is that when I report to the Irvine office I am buying all new gear!

How are you utilizing your gifts that the Lord has given you?

What is your most memorable conference?

What gear do you recommend I buy?

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