Brian Cloud | From June, 2015
Soulfest in Gilford, New Hampshire, one of the biggest contemporary Christian music festivals, is Exhibit A that music is at the heart of the one-world “church.” Since at least 2002, the festival has had a Roman Catholic presence, and this year promises more of the same. The August 6-8 festival will feature a daily Catholic Mass and performances by Roman Catholic musician Matt Maher.
Joining hands with Rome this year are some of the most popular and influential CCM groups and artists, including Big Daddy Weave, Switchfoot, Kari Jobe, Third Day, Natalie Grant, For King & Country, Toby Mac, David Crowder, Mandisa, Thousand Foot Krutch, Britt Nicole, Scott Stapp, The Vespers, Peter Furler, Rachel Taylor, The Wrecking, Andy Needham Band, Epic Season, Kardia, Chasing Cooper, Sleeping Giant, Five Iron Frenzy, Steve Taylor, Children 18:3, Bread of Stone, 3 Shades of Blue, Sanctus Real, The Violet Burning, I Am Clay, Chelsea Amber, Nibba, Exit 244, Jo Petty Band, and All 4Faith. Also participating are Word of Life Fellowship and the Salvation Army. Bands and artists participating in past Soulfests include Skillet, Casting Crowns, Family Force 5, Phil Joel, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Mercy Me, Audio Adrenaline, P.O.D., Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Call, Sam Phillips, BarlowGirl, Israel Houghton, and Bethany Dillon. Roman Catholic leaders use the Mass as a mystical tool to recapture “lapsed Catholics.”
Commenting on the 2009 Soulfest, the Catholic News Agency observed, “Among the various Christian denominations represented at Soulfest, the Catholic presence was significant.
Daily Mass was celebrated Thursday through Saturday at 10 a.m., with a lively music ministry guided by the talented Matt Maher, one of the most popular, critically-acclaimed Catholic musicians in the country. … David Simon … explained how wonderful it is to have daily Mass at Soulfest.
‘It’s an opportunity for Catholics who left the Church to want to come home; it’s such an opportunity to see the power of the Eucharist’” (“Strong Catholic Presence at Large Music Festival,”Catholic News Agency, Aug. 13, 2009).
The Catholic Mass has occultic power. I have read the testimonies of many individuals who have been converted to Rome through attending the Mass. In 2009, the Catholic band Glenridge performed on the main stage at Soulfest. The members of Glenridge testify of their one-world church faith as follows: “We love being Catholic, but know that we are one body under the love of Jesus Christ no matter what Christian church you go to on Sunday” (Ibid.).
Soulfest has a strong emphasis on social work and social justice, another major element in building the one-world “church.” Donald Miller, emerging church author of Blue Like Jazz, has spoken at Soulfest.
(For more information about the bands and artists mentioned in this report see The Directory of Contemporary Worship Musicians, which is available in print and as a free eBook from www.wayoflife.org. Every preacher and Bible teacher should own and use this valuable resource.)
(Friday Church News Notes, June 5, 2015, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
