#iwillfight

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; 

ensure justice for those being crushed. 

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." 

-Proverbs 31:8-9

At every show we’ve had in the past year, we’ve ended our time on stage with this statement: 

There’s a dying world out there that needs you.

Guys, we believe that you are on purpose, that God has given you a dream, and that your dream can change the world. We challenge people to dream outside the ordinary and to never settle for what’s average.

But there is a difference between dreamers and leaders. 

Dreamers think about their dreams. Leaders do their dreams. 

Dreamers wish that someone would do something. Leaders step up and take action. 

Dreamers see what could happen. Leaders make it happen. 

So now, we want to challenge you to lead. And we invite you to the fight.

There IS a dying world out there that needs you. You are someone’s rescuer. You were not called to sit by and watch families be destroyed and children die of hunger. There is more to life than your computer screen, your friends, and your routine. It’s time for us to DO something.

This summer we are launching a campaign called #iwillfight. We’ve partnered with an organization called Rescue 1 that combats and raises awareness about human trafficking. At our shows, we’ve start raising awareness and raising donations to help this organization rescue and protect young girls in Asia from being trafficked. We’re asking you to help us. We’re also asking you to step up and take action and allow your eyes to be opened to the hurt and injustice going on around the world, and around the corner. It might hurt, and it might get uncomfortable sometimes, but we’re asking you to take a journey with us. We’re asking you to fight. There is so much hurt around us that we avoid and ignore and it’s not acceptable for us to stay on the sidelines anymore. YOU are someone’s rescuer. Whether it’s someone at your school who needs to encounter the love of Jesus Christ through you, or it’s a young girl who desperately needs to escape from the evil that has trapped her, there is someone who needs you. And we’ve got to stop ignoring their cries for help. We want to see this generation rise up as leaders. As world changers. 

A lot of times, we see the evil in the world and ask God, "Why won't You do something about this?"

And many times, God's asking us the same question. If you're a Jesus-follower, the Word says that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 1:19-20). So if God has given us passion and purpose and power, why do we keep sitting back and watching opportunities to make a difference pass us by? Let step up together! We are the change.

So how do we start?

1. Research. Don’t ignore what’s going on around you. When you hear about an issue in the world, don’t just brush it off and go on with your life. People die every day because we choose to close our eyes and ears to their needs. Find out about organizations that are making a difference in the world and why they do what they do. Read books, read articles, talk to people.

2. Take action. There is so much that you can do to help. From raising money to help take care of kids who need food, shelter, education, or protection, to sending supplies to people in need, to actually going on a mission trip to serve others face to face - You CAN make a difference. When you see someone who is being treated wrongly, defend them. When you see a need, help fill it. Don’t waste your life just focusing on you. Your actions have an eternal impact! 

3. Tell your story. When you’re able to make a difference, when something inspires you, when your heart breaks, and when you’re filled with passion and excitement, tell your story! Your story can change the world.

There it is. Research, take action, and tell your story. We’re asking you to join this fight with us. We believe in you! So here’s a way to start. We’ve made a list of organizations that you can look up to start learning about what’s going on in the world and how you can help. When you find something, when you’re inspired, or when you have a story, we wanna hear about it! So write about it, email us about it, or connect with us on twitter. Make sure you hashtag #iwillfight. 


And if you’re in with us, tweet us right now “@DANYABAND, #iwillfight.” 

We’re going to change the world together. 

Organizations:

http://www.wear1rescue1.org/

http://www.love146.org/

http://www.worldhelp.net/

http://www.worldvision.org/

http://invisiblechildren.com/

http://www.compassion.com/about/about-us.htm

http://www.ijm.org/

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

http://www.persecution.com/

Hey guys! Wanted to share some of our new photos with you!

Welcome to The Main Event

We’ve never wanted our shows to be normal.

In fact, we strive to make them exciting, passionate, bold, and inspiring. We don’t want our concert to be just another rock show. We want it to impact lives and lead people to an encounter with God.

So we decided that we would do something different.

Welcome to The Main Event.

The Main Event - A one night event created with the intention of inspiring students to come alive in their purpose in Christ. With driving, energetic music, videos, testimonies, challenges, and a call to step up and be who we were made to be, The Main Event presents the Gospel through a relevant and passionate worship event.

We would love to send you a packet describing exactly what will be happening at the event. If you're interested please email danyaband@hotmail.com - here's a preview of the pdf file :)

We're excited to change the world with you!

-DANYA

Worthy of The Calling

For those of you who read our blog or keep up with the band on a regular basis, you know that we recently posted our band statement. We made the statement about a year and a half ago as a foundation on which we were going to build our career and ministry as a band. We love to be loud and create intricate melodies, guitar riffs, and drum rolls. We love creating a sound that’s new and exciting. But the one thing that drives what we do is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our guitarist Matt tweeted something today that really describes why we do what we do. He writes, “Jesus is my obsession. Music is my expression. Expressing my obsession is my favorite thing to do.”

One thing that we’re very excited for as a band is the opportunity we have to support churches, ministries, and events that reflect Christ and are reaching out to the lost, broken, hopeless, and dying communities around them. We’re all worship leaders, serving in churches in our area. During this next month, however, we’re taking time to sow into a church plant launching in Portland, TN. Most of you have seen that we do events with Pastor Brandon Petty, and we are stoked to be a part of the launch and ministry of Generation Church! Our lead vocalist Danya Powell is leading the worship ministry for the church, and we hope to be able to take much of what we learn at Generation and apply it when we go to other churches and events. Learning how to reach a culture for Christ in a relevant way, and how to bless leaders and help wake up passion inside of the church is something that we strive to do in every Christian-based environment where we perform. Jesus founded the church, He prayed for the church to be unified (John 17), and said that others would know we are Christians by our love for one another (John 13:35). We want to love the church.

We’ve also recognized more than ever the importance of being examples of Christ in every venue where we perform shows. You see, Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came not to call those who think they are righteous but those who know they are sinners (Matthew 9:12-13). Part of our statement says that “We will not be intimidated into ever hiding or limiting the amount of light that we let shine through us.” When we play at venues and clubs, we don’t just go to put on a show. We go intentionally. We go with a passion to see the love and power of Christ break into the atmosphere in a way no one was expecting. God moves through music, He moves through our testimonies, and we never want to hide the love of Christ in us. When people experience the love of Christ, it changes their life. Why would we ever hide the hope that we have?

In our song, “The Fire” we sing, “We’re on the frontlines and the world needs rescuing.” This is not just music for us. We go out to call the church to arms, and to take up our swords and fight to wake up a dying generation. Another way we’re doing this is by supporting an organization called Rescue 1 that has recently launched with a vision to be a force in stopping human trafficking and rescuing those trapped in the sex-trade industry. There really is a dying world out there that needs all of us. There are starving children, people dying from illnesses caused by unclean water, young girls being kidnapped and forced into prostitution so a pimp can get rich… how can we not do something? We challenge you to step up and help us be a part of changing the world with the love of Christ.

Start a fire. Change the world. 2012.

We love you guys.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

…we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 

Ephesians 4:1-7, 15-16 (NLT)

Passion

Wow! We've had a crazy week! We left last Wednesday around 9am and got home Monday morning around 5am. We spent 5 days and 4 nights at FGBC of Malden leading worship and preforming at a youth revival called Experience Launch. It ran about 250-300 kids each night and we saw lives changed every service! God is doing something up in Malden, MO and we are stoked to be a part of it. These kids have a passion. And so do you. Whoever "you" happen to be. You have a passion inside you, a purpose you were created for, and a dream that God has put in your heart. You don't have to sit back and become a statistic. You don't have to fit in. God wants to use you to change the world. No, He really does! Jesus gave His life for you so that you could see how much He loves you. He rose from the dead so that you wouldn't have to fear death anymore. And He took the punishment for all the sins and mistakes we've ever made so that nothing would hold us back from Him. Can you imagine being in a close relationship with the God of the universe? Talking with Him and knowing Him? It's incredible! The passion and fire that He's placed is our hearts is what drives us to do what we do. The video below is a little glimpse at some of the moments of this past week and also a promotion video for the camp that we get to go back and lead at this summer. If you're interested in going - hit us up! Comment or email danyaband@hotmail.com 

In The Words of Matt Morris: We're Goofy Sometimes ;)

Happy New Year! Hope you guys have had a wonderful holiday season! DANYA is gearing up to have one of our best years ever, with new songs, new videos, and new events, and we hope you guys enjoy every minute of it as well! Here's our behind the scenes/blooper video for our Christmas video - thank you all so much for your support - we made it to over 500 views just 3 days after we put the video online! You rock!

Merry Christmas!

We're excited to share this Christmas video with you! But most importantly we want to share with you the gift that we've received already. Even though we didn't deserve it, our God came and rescued us, redeemed us, and gave us love, purpose, and hope. It doesn't matter what you've done, who you are, or where you are right now. Jesus loves you. And we do too. Merry Christmas from DANYA. :)