October 1, 2010: Switchfoot's benefit concert for the John M. Perkins Foundation was a huge success. A near capacity crowd came together in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall to support the foundation's efforts and to raise funds for the Foundation's music studio, which was broken into several months ago.

VIP ticket holders were able to meet the band and receive an autographed poster and a book containing Switchfoot's latest CD, Hello Hurricane, and a DVD. Switchfoot's lead singer John Foreman introduced opening act Dathan Thigpen and Holy Nation, a praise and worship choir gospel group from Jackson.

Foreman welcomed to the stage Dr. John M. Perkins, who reminded the audience about racial, social, and religious boundaries that have been crossed during his life and expressed his hope for further change in future generations. He considered the concert a culmination of much of his life's work and reflected “perhaps, next to salvation in Jesus Christ, the most important moment in his life.”

With smoke, blasting sound, and animated lighting Switchfoot followed. The bands setlist included songs from several albums, including “Meant to Live” and “Dare You to Move” from their album Beautiful Letdown and “The Sound (The John M. Perkins Blues)” from Hello Hurricane. Switchfoot is known for their high-energy performances, and this concert was no different, complete with Foreman's stage antics and walking through the crowd. The band was joined for the last several performances by Holy Nation, accompanied by their background vocals.

Switchfoot's relationship with Dr. Perkins began when Foreman read Perkins' book Let Justice Roll Down, and convinced the rest of the band to read it as well. Foreman and Perkins were able to meet in the spring of 2009, and during their time together Foreman was inspired to write the song “The Sound (The John M. Perkins Blues)” for Perkins and the mission for which he has given his life.

Let us know what you thought about the concert on Belhaven University's Facebook page.

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.