September 17, 2010: Belhaven is thrilled to welcome Switchfoot for a concert in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Wednesday, September 29. The band will be playing a benefits concert at 7 pm for the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development.

“The purpose of this night is to commemorate the unlikely partnership of a civil rights patriarch from Mississippi and a rock band from San Diego,” says Jon Foreman, the lead singer of Switchfoot.“The concert will be a celebration of the life and words of John M Perkins- aman who refused to believe that the present injustices are final.”

Switchfoot is an American alternative rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar, backing vocals).

In the spring of 2009 Foreman had the opportunity to meet Dr. John M. Perkins, Christian civil rights leader and founder of numerous ministries, including the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development. This meeting made a great impression on Foreman. .“During our time together,” says Foreman, “Dr. Perkins treated me like a long lost grandchild. He told me that our generation was quite possibly the generation that could make our national creed a reality: 'All men are created equal.'” Dr. Perkins asked Foreman to write him a song 'about the justice of love and the love of justice, a song about how compassion breaks the cycle of violence and creates new life.' “ “The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)” was the outcome of the meeting; the song appears on Switchfoot's 2009 album, Hello Hurricane.

Purchase your tickets today online. Ticket prices range from $15 to $50 for VIP tickets. The VIP tickets include: a private pre-show meet and greet with the band; a limited edition poster signed by the band; a copy of the deluxe edition “Hello Hurricane” CD which includes 2 CDs (Hello Hurricane and Making a Hurricane), a DVD, an 84 page Hardback photo book, an additional poster, as well as front and center seating.

“My small hope is that this concert can raise funds for the JMP Foundation,” says Foreman. “They have a music studio that was robbed a few months back, with the money we raise we can get that program back on it's feet.I'm hoping that this concert can be a lightning rod to attract the attention of more donors, and more folks who can partner with the JMP Foundation in and around Jackson.”

Switchfoot Benefit Concert with Dr. John Perkins

Belhaven stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.