The event organizers share “the purpose of this event is quite simple: to save souls and share God’s love through his Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations…’(Matthew 26:19).” A portion of the proceeds from the Xtreme Chrstian Music Conference will go to benefit international ministries Love 146 and Samaritan’s Purse, as well as to support local churches.
Read on to learn more about the artists and speakers in the event lineup, as well as the ministries this event is supporting.

Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego, California. After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition with the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie A Walk to Remember. This recognition led to their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, which was released in 2003 and featured the hits “Meant to Live” and “Dare You to Move.” It went on to sell over 2.6 million copies. They have since been noted for their energetic live shows, and their seventh studio album Hello Hurricane received a Grammy award in 2011 for Best Rock Gospel Album.

Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is an contemporary Christian musician, who has charted primarily in the contemporary Christian and occasionally in the mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when “Place in this World” hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Smith is a three-time Grammy Award winner, and has earned 40 Dove Awards. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 13 million albums and recorded 29 No. 1 Hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. Smith is an American Music Award recipient; he was also named one of People magazine’s “Most Beautiful People.”

Israel & New Breed
Israel Houghton is a Grammy Award-Winning American Christian singer and worship leader, mostly known for his cross-cultural style of Christian music that fuses elements from gospel, jazz and rock. Houghton is usually credited as Israel & New Breed and currently signed to Integrity Music. Houghton is a worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

Mandisa
Mandisa Lynn Hundley, known professionally as Mandisa, is an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. Her career began in the fifth season of American Idol, in which she finished in ninth place.

Hillsong UNITED
In studio and out of the studio, on tour or at home, Hillsong UNITED is committed to writing songs that speak truth, create a unique sound, connects with churches, individuals, and ultimately connects people everywhere with God. Everything UNITED does, whether it be from recording or writing songs, to playing them in front of people and all that goes with that, it’s an expression of a really extraordinary God doing what only he can do through really ordinary people who love him, want to serve him and to build his church. To simply serve God and allow him to do what only he can do has always been the team’s desire.

Kutless
In the nine years since the band started producing music, Kutless has broken all sorts of new ground stylistically, but kept a consistent mission: to reach the lost and minister to fellow believers through song. The band was named after a specific biblical passage in Romans that reminds us how Jesus took our cuts so we might be free indeed. Kutless’ first two singles “Your Touch” and “Run” were big radio hits that paved the way for many other rock-oriented groups that would follow in the future.

Mikeschair
Mikeschair is an contemporary Christian band signed to Curb Records. The group has charted on the American contemporary Christian music charts with the song “Can’t Take Away,” which was the seventh most played contemporary Christian music song in the United States for the week of June 13, 2009 as reported on the R&R Magazine chart. Their single “Let The Waters Rise” was number 8 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart for the week of January 23, 2010.

Comedian Michael Jr.
Michael Jr. is a comedian who strives to be “funny enough for the club but clean enough for the pulpit.” Imagine a line from Bill Cosby to Jerry Seinfeld and you’ll have an idea of Michael Jr.’s influences. The comedian has appeared on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, BET’s ComicView, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CNN, ComedyTV and many others. He has also performs regularly at top level comedy venues including The Improv and The Laugh Factory, among many others. View clips of Michael’s work and learn more about him by visiting michaeljr.com.

Pastor Troy Gramling
Troy Gramling (troygramling.com) is the Lead Pastor at Potential Church in Fort Lauderdale. Pastor Troy has led this fast-growing multi-site church to an average weekend attendance of almost 14,000 people across eight campuses (four national and four international). Additionally, in the last decade, the church has partnered to plant 15 local churches around the globe, making an even greater impact worldwide. Pastor Troy excels in leadership development and is well known for his extreme creativity in designing unexpected worship and teaching experiences. His vision is fueled by a passion and burden to partner with people so they can reach their God potential.

Love 146
Love 146 is an international organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation through survivor care, prevention education, professional training and empowering movement. You can learn more about who Love 146 is and what they do by visiting love146.org.

Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Samaritan’s Purse serves the Church worldwide to promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn more by visiting samaritanspurse.org.

The Xtreme Christian Music Conference certainly an event worth checking out. Visit xtremecmc.com to watch the event trailer and to find the link to purchase event tickets through Ticketmaster. Single day tickets are being sold for as low as $50 each, with two- day passes starting at $85 each (both prices before fees).

Which artist are you most excited about seeing at the Xtreme Christian Music Confrence? Email [email protected] and let us know!

Justin Young is the writer/editor for the Good News. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @thejustinyoung.