Bluetree Inspired by CFI’s Mission in Burma
Although CFI has benefited from the support of thousands of individuals and churches throughout the years, nothing may prove to be quite as remarkable as our latest alliance with the contemporary Christian band Bluetree.

When CFI’s “Crisis in Burma” tent exhibition was featured at the Big Ticket Festival in Gaylord, Michigan in June 2009, Bluetree band members were especially moved by the display’s haunting sounds and images, the tragic testimonies of four young Karen children highlighted in the exhibition, and the stark reality of Christian persecution in Burma.

“Basically, I’m just blown away by this whole thing,” said drummer Jonny Hobson regarding his tour of the “Crisis in Burma” exhibition. “It seriously breaks my heart… I feel that God has given me a new revelation, a new passion for this… You read every day about people being persecuted, but you don’t actually realize it.”

Who is Bluetree?
Bluetree, a Christian worship band formed in Belfast, Ireland in 2004, is well known for its song “God of This City,” a single that was featured on an album of the same title that skyrocketed to No. 125 of the Billboard Top 200 chart following its U.S. debut in March 2009. The single “God of This City” was inspired by the band’s mission trip to Pattaya, Thailand, after witnessing the effects of the city’s harsh poverty. The band has experienced international success since the song’s release, and is a nominee for the 2010 Dove Award. Bluetree band members are lead singer Aaron Boyd, Peter Comfort (drums),Jonny Hobson(drums), Conor McCrory (lead guitar), Pete Nickell (bass), and Pete Kernoghan, who works with the band’s charity Stand Out International, an organization that rescues children out of the sex trafficking industry. Learn more about Bluetree by visiting their website at www.givmusic.com/bluetree.

Bluetree Draws Huge Crowds at Concert Events in Thailand
Since Bluetree was first introduced to CFI in the summer of 2009, the band has continued to show support for the organization and its mission to the persecuted church ever since. In February, CFI president Jim Jacobson and staff members Ben Duff and Craig McDonald accompanied Bluetree to Thailand, where the band performed in the Mae La refugee camp for over 15,000 attendees. The band also held concerts at CFI’s Vocational School and a local church in Mae Sot. These gatherings not only were
inspirational for Christians living under the relentless burden of poverty and persecution, but exposed thousands of non-Christians to the Gospel message through Bluetree’s music and powerful testimony. Many unsaved villagers converted to Christianity during the concerts, and CFI distributed Bibles to dozens of men and women who were eager to receive the Word of God.

Bluetree Travels into Burma with CFI
Before the trip was over, CFI president Jim Jacobson escorted Bluetree into the jungles of Burma so the band could personally witness the living conditions of hundreds of displaced Karen and Karenni people.

The trip was dangerous, but the band members were determined to see for themselves the devastating effects of the world’s longestrunning
civil war. Although the group was stopped by Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers shortly into their journey, the soldiers finally agreed to escort them into the jungle, and the men even bypassed Burmese army
personnel without incident.

Once inside the jungle, Bluetree visited CFI’s schools, where they sang songs and spent time with the children.

The band’s visit is available on DVD, and features a version of the song “God of This City” sung by CFI’s children. To Purchase.

More CFI/Bluetree News:
Bluetree Concert Benefits Karen Refugees
CNN: CFI and Bluetree
Banned In Burma Sneak Preview

• View More Bluetree Videos in:
• You Tube
• Vimeo
• UStream
• Tangle

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 3:12 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.