Rock and Worship Roadshow draws nearly sold-out crowd to Show Me Center

Thousands of Christian rock fans descended upon the Show Me Center Friday night for the kickoff of the Rock and Worship Road Show 2011.

Fans wanting to take full advantage of $10 ticket prices lined up around the building at multiple entrances two hours before the start of the show. Six Christian rock acts performed, including headliner Mercy Me, an award-winning and Grammy nominated band.

A near sell-out audience of 5,614 was reported by officials.

McKenna Landers and Harmony Sumner, both of Dexter, Mo., accompanied their church youth group of 25 from First Pentecostal Church in Dexter. Both said they were excited to hear Thousand Foot Crutch and Mercy Me because they listened to their music often but had never seen them in concert.

Donna Thomas came alone to the concert from Cairo, Ill., to see Mercy Me. As she was searching for a seat, she smiled and pointed around the nearly full arena.

"Isn't this just wonderful?" she asked. "It really gives me a good feeling to see this many out here all for this music."

Frank Jett of Sikeston, Mo., heard about the concert online and invited his sister, Lucinda McAdams, to come with him, because he knew she really liked the type of music the bands would be playing.

"It sends a positive message," McAdams said.

Anthem Lights opened the show and got arms waving. The Afters began their performance following an arena-wide prayer. Lead singer Josh Havens jumped down from the stage and worked the crowd. Solo artist Matt Maher followed. Thousand Foot Crutch brought a heavy metal sound to the show, and members of Jars of Clay performed parts of songs from the center aisle to an enthusiastic crowd. Mercy Me ended the show with a shower of confetti on the audience.

The show will tour 25 cities and proceeds benefit a Christian children's advocacy ministry called Compassion International.