It is a costly and logistically challenging exercise, but a Dunedin pastor says bringing a team of about 40 people from Auckland to the city annually to perform for young people is an investment in the future.
The Equippers Church group, made up mainly of young people between the ages of 18 and 25, travels the country with its multimedia Revolution Tour show. Last year it played for an estimated audience of 60,000 nationally.
Team members will arrive in Dunedin on Monday to perform their mix of music, dance and motivational messages in intermediate and secondary schools in Dunedin and Balclutha, before giving a show in the Lion Foundation Arena at the Edgar Centre on Tuesday evening.
Up to 1500 people, mostly teenagers, were expected at the evening rally, SouthLife executive pastor Stephen Necklen said yesterday.
This is the fourth time SouthLife has brought the Auckland group to Dunedin, with the backing of other city churches.
While there was a small charge to attend the evening rally, SouthLife had to raise more than $10,000 annually to bring the group here, Mr Necklen explained.
"We see it as an investment in the future. We take the view that even though a lot of the young people will not darken the door of a church any time soon, we are sowing a positive message among them. We understand that today's youth face multiple challenges and we believe they benefit from hearing a message that's positive and encouraging."
The guest speaker at the rally will be Reggie Dabbs, from the United States, the child of an unmarried teenager who now speaks to two million young people around the world every year.
