David’s Tent
The first year I went to David’s Tent was just as just as an attendee. I’d heard about it from friends who has attended its launch the year before. An event of Christian worship music that went non-stop for 72 hours. No breaks, no stopping for sermons or seminars, just people singing praises to God for 72 hours straight. I was intrigued but unsure whether I would love it or feel overwhelmed.
Well, that summer in 2013 I started what would become a 7 year relationship with David’s Tent and the wonderful team who run it. I had such a phenomenal time that first year that I sent in a few of the photos I took for fun, and they liked them enough in invite me back the following year to be part of their photo team. I ended up leading that team for the last few years I was around before the pandemic put a hold on such gatherings and I moved away to Nashville, TN.
Across those years I formed many wonderful memories of hard work with a community that was passionate and dedicated. It took a lot to pull off such a non-stop event, and we tried to match that in our coverage of the event. What I have in this gallery is mainly live music, but the job was as much a social documentarian covering the life of the festival and those who called it home for 3 days. Maybe those will make another post sometime.
This one covers a lot of the big names of the charismatic Christian world of worship music; with teams from Bethel Music, Housefires, IHOP, and more represented. But it wasn’t just the big names that David’s Tent was after, they made room for the little guys too. Anyone who had a heart to minister to the Lord through worship in the way that the bible describes King David doing could have a seat at the table.
There was also a vibrant visual arts community with painters, sculptors, and also dancers given their own spaces to bring what they had.
Of course, few of the attendees were in the tent for all 72 hours. It was a space to dip into, and often stay longer than you’d think, but in-between there was life and community to be found with like-minded believers. I especially enjoyed spending time around the campfire at night, talking to friends and reflecting on the day.
I so treasured my time with David’s Tent, and although I’ve been busy in a new country recently, I can see a time when our paths and passions will cross again. Hopefully in not too distant of a future.
