SAN FRANCISCO - Out to break the commonly-held notion that Christianity is about judging others, a group of San Francisco Christians braved the rain on Saturday to show only "Agape Love" to the city's needy.
The part music-festival, part-outreach "I AM LOVE...360" event mobilized dozens of youth volunteers from local San Francisco Bay Area churches to Civic Center Plaza to show the love of God in a practical way by handing out free meals, blankets and prayers to the homeless and needy.
"God's love is complete and worldwide. Christians should be the first to reach out to whomever, wherever," Living Grace Fellowship pastor Rodgar McCalmon, who organised the free event, told The Christian Post.
"San Francisco is just a starting point. Hopefully, people see what this event is and go into other towns," he added.
Among believers, the word "love" has become ubiquitous to Christianity. It is rare to hear a sermon in which the pastor fails to mention the love of Jesus and the love of God.
However, while many Christians say the most important thing in their faith is a relationship of love with God and their neighbours, non-Christians still hold negative perceptions of present-day Christianity. According to a 2007 Barna study, 80 per cent of non-Christians view evangelical Christianity as judgmental and hypocritical.
Christians gathered at the I AM LOVE event on Saturday were out to change that perception. Although the election is just a few days away, no one mentioned politics. Communicating - not just speaking about - love was their top priority.
Even though it rained, participants maintained a "rain or shine" attitude.
Actor Stephen Baldwin, who emceed the music festival, said in his opening remarks that he planned to stay the whole in spite of the weather.
"We are here no matter what. That's what I AM LOVE 360 is all about," Baldwin told the umbrella-covered and poncho-wearing audience.
"We are here to be obedient to the Spirit of the Lord. Even if it rains all day, we are going to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to San Francisco."
Philip Bardowell, a former band member of The Beach Boys, performed the song "Day After Rain".
"All the rain will not quench this thirst today," said Bardowell.
Other Christian groups and musicians that took the stage included Todd Agnew, Seventh Day Slumber, Thankfull, Nathan Justin, Missing Piece, JB Blue and Richard Andrew.
