We are playing in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It is a small little town frozen in time. I keep waiting for a Barney Fife to stop and say hello. This is the restaurant where we had lunch called The Starving Artist. MercyMe and The Starving Artist. A match made in heaven.
















Bart: You are not starving. However, I feel like I am so off to the kitchen.
Bart -
The concert at Ocean Grove was wonderful. I was especially touched by your comments concerning the death of people we care about and love and no matter what happens, it is truly God’s will and how it leads people closer to Him. Two weeks ago, I lost a friend who was competing in the NJ Triathalon and he never made it out the water. I was not at the event but was biking in the neighborhood of the park. When I was outside the park, I asked God to bless everyone who particpated in the event. I did not know John was participating in the event, but when I heard he died, I was angry at God; and it was the first time dealing with death that I had a difficult time accepting it was someone’s time to go. Since that time, I have seen God at work within myself, but last night I realized that God did answer my prayer to bless all the participants. How much more blessed can we be then when our Father calls us home.
Thank you so much, and God Bless all of you!
Yours in Christ,
Charlene
That’s so funny you said that! I live here in Ocean Grove and always tell my friends and family I live in either Mayberry or Pleasantville!!! It’s so true. It is most definitely a throw back to kinder, gentler times but then again it WAS dedicated by the founding fathers as ‘God’s Square Mile’ and a place for perpetual worship of Jesus Christ so perhaps that’s what makes the difference. Anyway, I feel truly blessed to live here and was AWESOMELY BLESSED by your concert last night and the communal worship experience. It was my first Mercyme concert but hopefully not my last. Thanks so much for your annointed ministry. PLEASE COME BACK TO PLEASANTVILLE ANY TIME!!!
Looks like a very nice place.
Greetings “Mercy Me”,
It was my first time to your concert last night. I am an hour away from Ocean Grove. That day I worked and the only thing I could think of is driving to Ocean Grove and your concert.
I was so blessed and when you talked about losing your father, I can connect with you. I lost my father in 2006 back in the Philippines. My father was uncompliant with meds and he always say “Jesus is my healer”. Ten days after, he passed away. The last time i saw him was in 2000. I was so devastated. He was my friend and confidante. All you’ve said were true. Made me praise God every minute for His love and comfort. Even I’m in a midst of trials now…I hold on to God more and more…Hold fast..help is on the way! Be well….
Hello,
I was at the concert last night with my friend Theresa who is a new believer with lots of questions. We were just going to find Main Street to get a bite to eat, when we saw these guys getting off a big grey bus. I did not know who they were and I said excuse me do you know where Main Street is? Bart turned around and ever so politely said he did not. My friend recognized you guys as “Mercy Me”. Bart said that yes, they were part of Mercy Me. I was taken back by Bart’s sincerity and by the humility admitting to who he was and that he was part of Mercy Me. God Bless you for that!!!
My friend asked for a picture and you all took the time to do that with us. We felt very blessed to have been there at the right time.
The concert was awesome, the music was so moving and I sang and I cried as I watched the other believers lifting their hearts and their voices to the Lord. This must be a little of what it is like in Heaven!!!
As if the music wasn’t awesome enough, Bart delivered an inspiring and uplifting message. Since this was my first Christian concert, I had no idea that there would be or could be a message. It was truly awesome.
You also thanked all of us for coming and driving to see you in spite of the rising costs of gas. You were kind enough to reward us for that by allowing us to purchase your CD’s for only $5.
May God continue to bless you and allow you to bring His work to all who will hear. Thank you so much for the highlight of my year. You are all wonderful!!!
Yours in Christ,
Louise
In follow-up to my previous message regarding the concert at Ocean Grove, I think Finally Home is a finish to No More No Less more than I Can Only Imagine. After all, No More No Less expresses one trying to get home. . .hence, Finally Home. Just another opinion.
God Bless,
Charlene
I love small little towns like that and if its anything like Mayberry then even better. They bring back a lot of good memories for me as they tend to take me back to the simple times that I had as a little girl.
Hi! I too live in Ocean Grove and love it! The wonderful Christian atmosphere and kind people make it a great place to live and raise our kids. I was at the concert and in fact, was one of the interpreters. It was my first Mercy Me concert although I’ve been a fan for years and it was a truly inspiring night! I think my favorite part was worshipping together and singing (and signing) God’s praises accapella. What an experience!
Bart, I just want to thank you and the band for being so gracious to myself, the other interpreter and my son in meeting with us after the concert. Even though you guys were exhausted and had that long drive ahead of you, you took time to talk to us and we really appreciated it! It was an honor to meet you all!
I hope you had a great time visiting our town and I hope you come back to Ocean Grove again soon! You guys are always welcome here!