By Ellie Tiemens | Echo
Three-time Grammy and 45 time Dove Award winning artist Michael W. Smith will perform live at Rediger Chapel Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Family Weekend festivities.
Smith has sold over 15 million albums and is labeled a legacy Christian contemporary artist by Joyce Wood, senior director of parent and community relations. Smith comes to Taylor through an alumni connection and has performed previously on Taylor's campus.
"(Smith's) music fits who we are as a university - Christ-centered and unwavering. It speaks to the heart of the listener and invites a closer relationship with the Lord," Wood said.
The concert comes amid the chaos of Homecoming and Family Weekend's sporting events, bike races and other activities. Events like this concert give alumni and families just one more reason to spend Homecoming weekend at Taylor.
Wood stressed the importance of having events that can bring together students, parents, and the community for Homecoming and Family Weekend. For Wood, the concert is an ideal place for everyone to join together for good music and a time of worship.
"I feel God moving through His Church and He is calling us together to be one voice and one heart," said Smith on his website. "One bride. Every nation, every tribe and every tongue. Every social class, every denomination."
Michael W. Smith's newest albums "A Million Lights" and "Surrounded" explore the topic of the necessity of love and unity in the world today.
Harli Broge, a freshman at Taylor, is looking forward to this event at Taylor after having seen Michael W. Smith in concert last year.
"My mom especially is huge fan of (Smith), so I grew up listening to his music, but I really became a fan of him when I saw him in concert," Broge said. "He is a really great performer. Even if you don't listen to his music, he is a really good one to see in concert. It's a lot of fun."
Wood, who hopes for a sold-out performance, agrees with Broge and added that the concert is a great opportunity to take spend time with family and community members.
Students and the general public can purchase tickets for the concert online at Michaelwsmith.eventgrid.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. before the concert which starts at 7:30. Parents and family joining students for the weekend will buy tickets through the Homecoming and Family Weekend registration. For more details visit www.taylor.edu/HFW.
