JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 20, 2021 — Almost 1,000 donors, students and community members gathered in the Carl Perkins Civic Center on Oct. 19 for with Jeremy Camp. The Grammy-nominated contemporary Christian singer and songwriter performed an acoustic concert for the audience.
Before the concert, Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver hosted a special 鈥淣ot So Late Show with Dub Oliver,鈥� which included various interviews with students and faculty members from the departments of engineering and biology.
Before his performance, Camp joined Oliver for an interview, where he discussed the reality of touring, his family and the story behind the award-winning film, 鈥淚 Still Believe.鈥�
Since the release of 鈥淚 Still Believe,鈥� a movie based on Camp鈥檚 testimony of losing his wife to cancer, he has heard numerous stories of how God used the film to comfort others in difficult seasons.
鈥淭here is a Scripture I love in 2 Corinthians; it says that we're called to comfort others with what we have been comforted,鈥� Camp said. 鈥淕od gave me such a great comfort in that time, and I knew in some way, if I could encourage someone who was going through that pain and suffering, I wanted to do that.鈥�
While there were many doubts about the film鈥檚 success due to the pandemic in March 2020, Camp said there could not have been a better time to share the message of Christ鈥檚 faithfulness.
鈥淸In the COVID pandemic] we're all going through hardships, and when you're confused, what better thing to say but, 鈥極K, God, I still believe in your faithfulness; I still believe in your truth; I still believe in your holy word, even when I cannot see,鈥欌�� Camp said.
When asked what advice he would give students wanting to pursue music, Camp encouraged Union students to be faithful where the Lord has placed them. While it is important to work hard, Camp said it is God who opens each door, and if God wants to increase one鈥檚 platform of influence, then God will increase it himself.
鈥淏e faithful with what God has given you 100 percent because it doesn't matter how big it looks or how big it gets,鈥� Camp said. 鈥淚f there's no depth, it'll have no effect at all.鈥�
After performing hits like 鈥淒ead Man Walking,鈥� 鈥淭here Will Be a Day,鈥� 鈥淐hrist in Me鈥� and 鈥淚 Still Believe,鈥� the night concluded with a standing ovation from the audience.