I Still Believe

Long ago, in a land far, far away... just kidding. Long ago, in Camdenton, Missouri, the local Christian radio station, Spirit FM, used to put on a summer concert series called Crossover Christian Music Festival. The first night was always gospel music and the next two nights had the big names in contemporary Christian music. Tickets were a pretty fair price considering the acts they had playing. Over the years I got to see artists such as Toby Mac, Big Daddy Weave, Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real, Mandisa, Newsboys, Building 429, and Barlow Girl. I’m certain I am missing a ton of names, but you get the point. 

One of my favorite artists growing up was Jeremy Camp. I still vividly remember his concert at Crossover. I’m sure it’s weird, but I also remember thinking how huge his arm muscles were. I think today, I would compare them to Matt Holliday’s. My parents let my sister and me stand in line afterward to get his autograph. Somewhere at my parents’ house, buried knee deep in developed picture envelopes, is a picture of us standing across from Jeremy while he signed our photo. 

I remember from way back then, even before seeing him in concert, that his wife had died months after they got married. I don’t remember the year we saw him, but I think it was 2-3 years after his wife passed. Fast forward nearly 15 years, around last Spring Break, I found out they were making a movie about Jeremy Camp. To add to my excitement, KJ Apa, from Riverdale, was playing Jeremy. I could not wait. 

I had been anxiously awaiting the release of I Still Believe, however, I wasn’t sure when I would get to see it since it came out right at the start of break. I suppose that can be added to my list of making coffee out of lemons. Since my trip was cancelled, I was able to go see the movie. (The trip itself was quite memorable. There were 7 of us, seated at opposite ends of the theatre, because we were practicing safe social distancing.)

Whether you love Jesus, or not, I recommend seeing it. (They are working with Lionsgate to come up with a way for people to rent it online!) Even though I know the ending, I needed tissues. It’s a beautiful story of love, more importantly, unconditional love. It’s a story about it being okay to question why God allows things to happen, but in the end coming out on the other side of pain stronger than when you started. From a long-time fan, I also found the timing of him writing some of his biggest hits to be interesting. 

I’m thankful for all of the memories of long ago I have from Crossover Christian Music Festival, and that I was able to see Jeremy Camp. I’m thankful for the new memory of Jeremy Camp, and Melissa’s story, and getting to do something normal during such a crazy time in our world.