Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of catching Jeremy Camp & Grammy nominated, Francesca Battistelli on their South Jersey stop on the “We Cry Out” Tour. The tour takes its name from Camp’s acclaimed worship album, We Cry Out: The Worship Project. As I was more familiar with Battistelli than Camp, I was in for quite a treat as I have officially become a Camp fan!

The concert began at seven, at least according to the website tour info though by the time that I arrived, 6:30pm Battistelli was already on stage. This detail was, I’m not going to lie, disappointing since I was especially looking forward to seeing Battistelli’s entire set. This is not a joint tour, moreso Camp’s tour that Battistelli is opening for so if you want to see B, get there early! The venue was sold out and was essentially to capacity by the time that I arrived but it was easy slipping in and getting to watch Battistelli live in such an intimate venue.

I loved the way that she went acoustic and slowed down “Hundred More Years” and loved hearing the crowd sing along to “Constant,” one of my favorite songs from her album, Hundred More Years. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Album Chart and No. 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart!

While I listen to and was anticipating more from her sophomore album significantly more, the majority of the songs that she performed by the time I made it into the venue were from her debut album, My Paper Heart. Battistelli did not work the stage since she is eight months pregnant but she sure had no problem belting out my favorite hits. What a talent! She closed out with “Free to Be Me” which I never would have thought would have been the song to end her set so that was a refreshing surprise.

Battistelli exited the stage at 7:03pm, making way for intermission and a brief word about Compassion International before Camp made his way to the stage. Camp is a Compassion International artist so there is not only a brief word about the program from 49ers’ David Akers, but a booth by the merchandise as well, where you can begin to sponsor a child in need from around the world. I have begun sponsoring a little girl named Erika from El Salvador! Thank you Camp for being such a light and helping us find ways to be a light! Akers also led a great message that left the audience with the question, “What are you going to do to be a game changer?” It was a great message and the perfect lead in to Camp’s set which began at 7:40pm.

I was especially taken with Camp’s songs, “We Cry Out,” “Everlasting God, “”Right Here,” and “There Will Be A Day” which I am sure I will be playing around the house quite a bit. In between songs, I discovered that Camp is quite the talker! He has an incredible message to share and is so passionate about Christ like faith and being a light, so there’s definitely plenty to say. If you can’t make the tour but want to hear his story, buy his book, I Still Believe which released last fall. You will be blessed! I was blessed Sunday night and cannot wait for Camp to come back to Jersey and minister some more in concert. What an uplifting night!

Camp has sold over three million albums and is Billboard’s No. 3 Christian Artist of the Decade for a reason! He’s definitely worth catching on tour so visit Jeremy Camp and also Francesca Battistelli for more information.