Video review of the concert

On May 29th, 2009 Michael W. Smith with his team consisting of 13 people conducted his first ever concert in Eastern Europe. The Latvian audience that usually is shy and even introvert was completely changed during the concert. This night turned into real worship celebration. It was like a spiritual explosion. The concert was attended by different segments of Latvia Christian society, including musicians, pastors, and politicians. Nobody wanted to miss this historic event. After the concert in personal conversations, church e-mail, and comments in “youtube” there were constantly positive remarks that this had been the greatest, the most anointed and high quality concert that Latvia’s Christian public had experienced.

The atmosphere of the concert was charged with God’s presence and from the first songs neither teens nor the elderly could help standing on their feet. Many people said after the concert that they had experienced something special. The worship anointing came stirring longing in people’s hearts for deep, intimate relationship with the Father. Especially we were encouraged by Michael’s testimony before the song “Deep In Love With You” when he shared from his heart how important it is to know that God not only loves but that He as our Father actually likes us. This revelation that Michael is a dear son to his Heavenly Father has brought him to where he is now. This message remains the keynote for many of us in our future life so that we would dedicate ourselves to God all the more and be in fellowship with Him.
 

THEY LIKED IT, AS WELL!

We are grateful to God that He heard our prayers and blessed this anointed team so that they really enjoyed their visit to Latvia and our church, too. Michael W. Smith expressed his excitement several times about his experience here in Latvia during the concert, in „youtube”, and personal conversations. They were surprised at the openness of the public and love for God. Again and again we received words of recognition for the fact that our church people who were involved in organizing the concert could be so loving, smiling, and helpful and at the same time so professional and perfect.

At the breakfast before leaving for Tallinn Michael W. Smith admitted that out of all weeks in European tour when it came to hospitality, food, service, security, hotel, and even reporting, as his manager said, “Prieka Vests” and Latvia by far outmatched other places they had visited.

After the concert Michael Olson (the drummer) and Matt Smallbone (bass guitarist) said that they could not recall when the last time was that they played such a long concert. Our public was so open and the atmosphere was so pleasant that they simply could not stop. Michael W. Smith revealed that usually he examines and analyzes faces in his concerts but this time there was no need for that because he could barely hold his own emotions. He said: “I was just looking at people and wanted to sit down with almost all of them just to hear their experience with God.”

Michael W. Smith later claimed in a “youtube” video that Latvia now holds a special place in his heart and he would never forget us and come back to us. Well, we will look forward to that.
We want express our gratitude once more to God for this unbelievable opportunity that was given to us!
Thank you to the excellent team of “Prieka Vests” church for organizing the concert and welcoming the guests!
And, finally, we want to thank all the responsive and God-loving people who participated in this great celebration on May 29th!
May God help us all so that we would not lose all the treasures we received in that night!

The creative team of “Prieka Vests” church
 

 

Valters Gleske about the concert by Michael W. Smith
This May will stay in my memory as an unforgettable experience and a new point of reference. Even though as a pastor’s son and active minister I had experienced many miracles in my life relating to opportunities of meeting world renowned men of God and musicians but to meet Michael W. Smith had always seemed to be unreachable dream. Then one day I found out about this concert and half a year later I was one of the few lucky who had the opportunity to welcome him in Riga airport and to spend time with this excellent worshipper of God, composer and musician, as well as his whole team. I was pleasantly surprised that regardless of his immense popularity, achievements, and contacts (for example, he is a good friend of George Bush), Michael remains to be a very humble, God-fearing, and simple brother in Christ.
Already two weeks before the concert my heart was pounding in my chest out of excitement. But when it all “got loose” I was just flying. As I was singing as a supporting act for Michael W. Smith I could sense the thirst for God and a desire to meet Him in the whole audience. And the Lord magnified His name. That was so powerful. I felt so strong presence of God and thirst for Him in this concert! When Michael proclaimed freedom to our country and revival – I accepted it as from the Lord because it echoed so strong in my heart.
By the way, one of the musicians said that Michael had seen a significant dream about Latvia just before coming here and that he took it very personally. After the concert I could spend some more time till 1 am with the group and Michael confirmed his affection for Latvia and his desire to come back again.
As I was going home my spirit was so charged that I could not fall asleep that night. I was praising God and crying. I was so happy. One of my favorite Michael’s songs is “Deep In Love With You”. God speaks to me, loves me and fills me with His Spirit through this song. Praise God He is the God of abundance!

Maris Riekstins about the concert
I know Michael W. Smith’s music since 1992 when I accepted Jesus as my Lord. I have always been fascinated by his ability to write beautiful and catchy melodies and then create interesting and revolutionary for the time pop-music harmonies and arrangements. I have lived with this music, analyzed it and tried to understand his musical thinking which seems so cool and congenial to me. His concert recording “Change Your World” encouraged me greatly to start learning playing the piano and generally to go in for music. It already seemed like I already knew Michael personally even though I had never actually seen him “live”. However, already 10 years ago I knew clearly that one day I would meet him and have some contact.

When I found out about Michael W. Smith coming to Latvia I could not really believe it. But when I saw him play table tennis in our youth hall and had a short conversation with him I realized it had really happened. I expected much from this concert and obviously that is why I received so much. I had a feeling that Michael’s trip to Latvia was a gift from the Heavenly Father to me personally! God touched me very, very powerfully. God reveled himself as a Father to me more than ever. Not just as a Father who loves me but who actually likes me. I believe that during the song “Deep In Love With You” God wrought a radical change in my heart. I believe that this was a fresh start in my creative musical life, as well. All of this starts on the inside and it does not take too long before it manifests in something tangible – songs, relationship with God, ministry, and any other aspect of life.

To be honest, only now that Michael is gone I start to understand what really happened – that he was here, in my church. I do believe with all my heart that this was not the last time. I believe we have the best things ahead of us!

Thank God for the time I could spend with these fantastic musicians who are so similar to us – with the hearts of worshippers and who are burning for God!

 

Video review of the concert
Photogallery of the concert
 



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