The tour will benefit both the International Justice Mission and Food for the Hungry. The IJM is a human rights agency that “secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.” Food for the Hungry works in more than 26 developing countries “providing disaster and emergency relief, and implementing sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually.”

“God is mighty to save and is actively rescuing the oppressed through his people,” Groves said. “Scripture references to the ‘slave, the poor, the oppressed,’ are not figurative. There are 27 million people enslaved today … God is calling us to respond. All of us on this tour want to convey that it is not a burden to help; it is an adventure. We’re excited to get out there and share what God is doing.”

Each show on the tour will feature music and stories of rescue from the IJM, as well as opportunities for audience members to be involved in Groves’ “adopted” village in Rwanda through Food for the Hungry. The motto for the tour is, “Add to the beauty, seek justice and give God the praise.”

All of the artists on the tour have offered songs on NoiseTrade.com for the price of telling three friends about them, or paying any amount they choose in exchange for immediate download. Webb, a former member of Caedmon’s Call, created NoiseTrade.com after the success of giving away over 80,000 full downloads of his “Mockingbird” album.

Groves’ most recent album, “Tell Me What you Know,” explores the “disparity between some of the American pursuits of comfort and wealth and the joy of joining the difficult work of social justice and engaging in the suffering of the afflicted.” Many of the songs on the album were inspired by a “series of global conversations and experiences” Groves had in the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, the genocide memorials in Rwanda, and hearing the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors.

Tickets for the “Art, Music, Justice Tour” are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.echoministries.net.


‘Music Builds’
Third Day, Jars of Clay, Switchfoot, and Robert Randolph and The Family Band, are joining forces to raise funds for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity when the “Music Builds Tour” comes to the Target Center in Minneapolis on Oct. 10.The bands have committed to donate $1 from every ticket sold to Habitat’s local home building efforts.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to play on the same bill with bands we respect, and to help an organization whose work we respect,” said Tai Anderson, bassist for Third Day. “The only message we have for our fans is this: Get ready.”

“We have all worked with Habitat for Humanity before, and when approached about touring together, to benefit such a great cause, it was easy to say yes,” said Jon Foreman, lead vocalist for Switchfoot. “We all want to be a part of something that makes a difference. Through Habitat this tour will help build houses for many deserving families—that’s something we can all rally around.”

Throughout the band’s career, Third Day has racked up 24 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than 6 million albums. The band has won 23 Dove Awards and three GRAMMY Awards. Third Day’s 11th studio album, “Revelation,” was released on July 29.

The band is “most proud” of its humanitarian efforts that include raising $350,000 for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and charities such as Blood: Water Mission. Third Day has also encouraged over 15,000 fans to sponsor children through the work of World Vision.

Switchfoot has sold over 5 million records and landed three albums in the Billboard Top 20. The band’s latest studio album, “Oh! Gravity,” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums chart.

The San Diego-based group also has a history of involvement with humanitarian causes including: DATA, Bono’s THE ONE Campaign, Invisible Children, Habitat for Humanity and To Write Love on Her Arms.

Jars of Clay launched its career with the 1995 radio hit “Flood.” Since then, the band has sold more than 5 million albums and earned three GRAMMY Awards. Jars of Clay recently released a “Greatest Hits” album, and their next studio album is set to be released in early 2009.

The group founded Blood: Water Mission, an agency that works to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa.