Bluetree launches charity to end child sex exploitation

|PIC1|Belfast-based modern worship band Bluetree, whose acclaimed album God Of This City has become one the best selling Christian recordings this year, has announced the formation of StandOut International.

The new charity is an organisation that has become a natural, non-profit extension of Bluetree’s pursuit of worship, music and justice. The worldwide success of Bluetree’s song, “God Of This City”, has given the band a platform for sharing its message of hope for the exploited and voiceless around the world.

“God Of This City” was written by Bluetree during a mission trip and while the band was on stage performing worship songs in the Climax Bar, a club which doubles as a brothel in the red light district of Pattaya, Thailand. Forever changed by what they saw in Pattaya, the band is determined to make a difference through StandOut International.

“We created StandOut International to help end child sex exploitation on a global scale, while loving, educating and releasing those rescued into the fullness of life that God has for them,” says Bluetree deejay Pete Kernoghan (“Petey K”).

“We believe that when people worship, they encounter the genuine heart of God for all humanity,” adds lead singer/guitarist Aaron Boyd. “From His platform of love, we are compelled to serve the needs of others and we ultimately become a voice for those who have no voice.”

Ways to become involved with StandOut International in its mission is through financial giving, prayer, short-term mission trips and through organising events to raise awareness and support of those fighting to end child sex exploitation.

According to available information, one out of every five people on earth is a child at risk: at risk of malnutrition, forced labor, disease, drug addiction and abandonment. There are also risks for those working with and for struggling children. The staff and projects that provide care, the churches that offer assistance and resources, and the leaders who affect social agendas can also be vulnerable if they are not given the right support.

“Our aim is to raise awareness and channel funds through organisations who are active on the ground making a difference in children’s lives every day,” says Bluetree drummer Johnny Hobson. “As believers, we are all called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s together stand out and make a difference.”

Bluetree, which includes the aforementioned members and guitarist Conor McCrory and bassist Pete Nickell, has never been interested in writing feel-good worship songs that may incite a few goosebumps on Sunday morning, but don’t inspire change and action once the church service has ended. It is that vision that led to the creation of “God Of This City” and StandOut International.

“We really want ‘God of this City’ to be more than a song that we just proclaim in the safety of our churches. We want to see the hope of the song worked out in the lives of millions of children who are exploited throughout the world today. Let ‘God of this City’ inspire you into action. Join us and ‘stand out’,” encourages Petey K.

Originally a message of hope to the people of Pattaya, “God Of This City” has now been sung in thousands of churches and auditoriums across the world. It has also become a Top 5 radio hit for the band, been sung by this year’s American Idol winner Kris Allen and been recorded by Chris Tomlin and Passion.

Bluetree also brought the song to tens of thousands through its energetic concerts in major Canadian cities and at US festivals for the first time this summer, and is bringing its brand of worship-rock to cities across the US now while on tour through November 15 with NewSong.

With an unabashed attitude of worship running through all of the songs on God Of This City, the album released in the US on March 3 on the Lucid Artist label and stayed atop the SoundScan sales charts for a full month, a remarkable feat considering the band at that time had never toured in the US or Canada.

For more information on Bluetree, including a compelling acoustic video performance and explanation of the song “God Of This City,” as well as a free download of the congregation-ready song “Each Day” from its acclaimed God Of This City debut album, go to www.givmusic.com/bluetree.

Go to www.standoutinternational.co.uk to learn how you can help exploited children.