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Sharing the Love

Our Top 15 Moments at NGL 2016

By Tineke Ziemer

August 17^th, 2016

no greater love festival 2016

Drums pounding. Voices joining. Hands rising. Hearts soaring. And there we were in the middle of it all, beneath a majestic mountain backdrop, twelve hours from home, in the middle of a massive field, surrounded by thousands of our brothers and sisters.

In 2002, God gave Karri Ward a dream. Fourteen years later, in His perfect timing, He brought it to completion in a powerful, heart changing weekend beneath the Alberta skies. As we were driving away Monday morning, I asked everyone to share their favourite moment of the festival. Two hours later, we were still talking excitedly about the moments that impacted us - suffice it to say, no one could choose just one. But we did manage to narrow it down to fifteen!

So, here you will find our family’s Top 15 Moments of NGL 2016 - Canada’s largest Christian music festival - accompanied by some of the photos I captured throughout the weekend.

p.s. These are in no particular order - it was hard enough choosing only fifteen! Ranking them would have been impossible!

p.p.s. Hover over any photo to see a caption with the details.

Tenth Avenue North rocks the stage Saturday night beneath the stars

Capturing a moment with Michael W. Smith

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot jumps backwards off of the base drum during their energetic performance Saturday night

Sharing the Love

Switchfoot

Switchfoot's Jon Foreman

Sharing the Love

Sharing the Love

Sharing the Love

#1 - the location

I lost count, but I think pretty much every single artist that came to the stage was in awe of the beauty surrounding us. I think it was Switcfoot who claimed that it was “the most beautiful place we’ve ever played rock and roll.” The Stoney Nakota Nation is home to some of the most gorgeous landscapes I have ever seen. You might recognize it from some little movies - maybe you’ve heard of them - like, um, The Revenant (which was filmed on the very spot we were camping!!) and Legends of the Fall, among several others.

Words cannot describe, nor can a camera convey, what it feels like to stand in this vast landscape in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit all around. The creation truly magnified the Creator, and we were in awe of His majesty.

It was an honour to be welcomed to these lands by the Wesley Band. We thank God for these people and their hospitality.

A panoramic view from our campsite

The fields were scattered with beautiful wildflowers

Sunrise over the Stoney Nakota Nation on our first morning

#2 - The walk

It was about a ten minute walk from the camping area to the stage, and it was inevitable that we had to make it several times a day as we went back to the tent for snacks, warm clothes etc. But let me tell you, if there was ever a walk that a you’d would want to do over and over, it’s this one. Stunning vistas, gorgeous sunsets, awe-inspiring moments. On one occasion when we were rushing back for some pants as the rain clouds were rolling in, my daughter mentioned the loooooong walk (yeah she’s a teenager.) I just said to her, “Soak it all in, soak in every second of this walk, because in two days, our only view will be our back yard. This is a blessing!” And it truly was.

The path from the campsite to the stage

Wildflowers in the fields

Walking from the stage back to the campsite beneath the Rocky Mountains and the evening sun

My beautiful daughter

My wonderful husband and children enjoying the evening walk

This weekend gave us some amazing family bonding time

Father-daughter moment

Our shadows stretch out over the fields of Stoney Nakota Nation lands. What an honour.

#3 - Beckah Shae

I swear, Beckah Shae’s first cry of “Hallelujah” echoed off the mountains and resonated straight into my soul. This beautiful sister has powerful music, with beats that break down strongholds. I was so moved by the Spirit as she worshiped that I cried through the entire set. There were many more emotional moments to come over the weekend, but this by far touched me the deepest. Especially when Beckah invited Chief Wesley to come and play the drums for her song, ‘Heartbeat,’ which is an incredibly moving song about unity among the nations. If you haven’t heard it yet, stop reading right now and watch below. This is one of the most important songs that has ever been written.

If there was one artist I hoped to speak to this weekend, it was Beckah. I felt led to share with her how her music and her prophetic words had influenced me. This is only her second concert since having a baby 11 weeks ago, so I wasn’t surprised when she didn’t have a meet and greet after her set. However, the Lord saw fit to answer the prayer in my heart another way. Later that evening, as Mikayla and I were out in the crowd, Beckah walked right up to us (she probably saw the look of excitement in our eyes when we saw her walking with her baby buggy!) We had the chance to chat and hug and - I love her even more now because she thought Mikayla and I were sisters!

May the Lord rain his blessings down upon you, Beckah. May your storehouses be full of wheat and grain. May the harvest be plentiful as you sew seed for His Kingdom. May your family receive a bounty of His goodness. May your hallelujahs resonate off many mountains and enlarge the hearts of many hearers. Thank you for your ministry!

Chief Wesley plays the drums to Beckah Shae's powerful song, Heartbeat

Beckah Shae shares her gift with all of us

My daughter with Beckah Shae. It was an honour to meet this inspiring woman in person.

#4 - Reconciliation

I truly believe that the most important work the Lord was doing during NGL 2016 was a healing with the First Nations people of this country. During Chief Wesley’s opening address, he spoke of this partnership as the start of reconciliation and healing. The Spirit made that evident in many ways, especially though the band, Broken Walls, who shared their rock music in a fusion of contemporary and aboriginal styles. This band travels “the world communicating a message of restoration dignity, self respect, and Creator’s Love to all cultures” with the goal of breaking down walls between “the visitors to this land and the First Nations People.” One of their songs was a friendship dance and the audience was encouraged to join hands in a dance of unity. By the end of the song, hundreds of us had surrounded the entire audience and there was laughter and tears. Thank you, Broken Walls, for being faithful to the calling the Lord has given you. Walls came down at NGL 2016!

Unity in the Spirit

Chief Wesley sings a gospel song in his native tongue

Broken Walls doing spiritual warfare on the drum

Flags raised in worship and praise for the work of unity the Lord is doing

Purple, the colour of royalty, flown for the King of Kings

United in friendship, this wall of handheld people surrounded the entire audience. I only got one shot off before I joined in.

Powerful worship with flags of Victory

#5 - being recognized by dan bremnes

We have been Dan Bremnes fans since we first saw him perform at our church five years ago. He’s a Salmon Arm boy, and we have loved watching his music become recognized on the world stage. We’d already seen him in concert twice this year, and Mikayla got to hang out with the band backstage in April when he was in Quesnel. This time, when we walked up to Dan in the meet & greet line, he said, “Hey it’s good to see you again!” and then his drummer walked up and pointed to Mikayla and said, “We met you up North. You were in the VIP group.” Well, you can bet your boots that they totally made this fourteen year-old’s day! It’s pretty cool to see that these guys are really connecting with the people who love their music.

I snapped a quick selfie with Mikayla, Dan and I and then we went back to our seats. I took at look at it after and realized that I’d completely cut off Mikayla - well except a tiny bit of her hair. We all had a pretty good laugh over that one. Sorry Kayla!

A selfie with Dan Bremnes and a teeny bit of Mikayla's hair!

Dan Bremnes sharing his love of Jesus and music

Mikayla with her new hat and poster. I bet that kid has more Dan Bremnes merchandise than Dan himself!

#6 - old guys rule

Are there any Petra fans reading this?!? It was pretty cool to witness the finesse and honed musicianship of the Union of Sinners and Saints (which is a band made from members of two of the best selling Christian Rock Bands of all time - Petra and Whiteheart.) They entertained us all with some “throat-bleeding,” hair raising rock and roll and introduced us to one of their new songs, ‘Old Guys Rule.’ It was a fun way to celebrate their stage in life, taking into account that wisdom and experience have value. Shortly thereafter, lead singer, John Schlitt referenced the title of the song again when he forgot the lyrics to their closing number, one of Petra’s classics, ‘Beyond Belief.’ He stopped the band a couple of times, shaking his head, before guitarist and solo artist, Jason Fowler stepped in with the lyrics on his cel phone. John made us all crack up again when he peered at the cel phone and said “I can’t see without my glasses!” It was truly one of our favourite moments because it reminded us that these legends are only human. Even with thirty years of performing behind them, they are still real people. Thank you, John, for showing us that it’s okay to make mistakes, laugh at them, and keep right on going. You finished off with style, man!

Jason Fowler and fellow band member rocking it out on the guitars

John Schlitt, lead singer of Petra, now entertains audiences with the Union of Sinners and Saints

Jason Fowler brings up the lyrics to 'Beyond Belief' on his cel phone for John Schlitt

#7 - we are messengers

Without doubt, Darren Mulligan and We Are Messengers left a lasting impression on everyone in that place. His genuine personality and honest approach reached into our hearts and made us listen. This band has something special - something I can’t describe, nor have I experienced it before. When you listen to them speak you just know that they are sent by God and you just know that you are supposed to listen. There was no pride, no mask, no keeping up appearances. Just raw, genuine desire to see everyone experience the love of Jesus. Reading Darren Mulligan’s testimony, you can see why. God has truly lifted him out of the miry clay and given him a calling. You can read it here: http://wearemessengersmusic.com/biography

By this point, on day two of the festival, we had experienced a pretty wicked storm and it was starting to rain again. Shine FM had saved the day by handing out yellow rain ponchos to the audience. As the rain picked up, Darren Mulligan wasn’t going to let that stop anyone from praising Jesus. In his straightforward way, with his awesome Irish accent, he said something I’ve repeated about fifty times since, “Go ahead and put on your funny little yellow bags, but then we are going to worship!” And worship we did, with all our hearts, in the pouring rain, because Darren wouldn’t let us do anything less. He challenged us to give it all up to Jesus and he joined the audience together, with hands clasped together, held high.

And then the Lord had other ideas. Lightning caused us to have to evacuate the stage area for the second time that day, and We Are Messengers had to leave the stage early. It was one of the only disappointing moments of the festival.

To We Are Messengers, my family says thank you for being real and having a true heart for Jesus. May you be filled with the knowledge and understanding of the Lord as you seek His Kingdom and encourage others to find it. May you be given energy, restoration and rejuvenation as you carry on His work. May nothing come against you. May you be protected with armies of angels as you deliver His message, in the name of Jesus.

Darren Mulligan appeals to the audience

We Are Messengers have a true annointing

Audience members clasping hands and raising them high as they worship in the rain

Darren Mulligan giving one last appeal after being called to clear the stage because of lightning

Mikayla in her — Mikayla in her "funny little yellow bag"

#8 - tenth avenue north

We love their music and we knew they would be good, but we underestimated just how much energy lead singer, Mike Donehey, would bring to his performance. Tenth Avenue North left it all on the stage and made them one of our biggest highlights of the weekend.

Mike Donehey raised the bar with his energetic performance

Tenth Avenue North was amazing!

Mike Donehey leaving it all on the stage

Mike Donehey

#9 - ten canadian dollars

We were highly entertained by The Digital Age, a fun-lovin’ great group of guys from Waco, Texas (and formerly of the David Crowder Band.) There was a pretty epic guitar showdown between two of the band members, and at the end of it, lead singer, Mark Waldrop proclaimed a winner. Jokingly, the winner asked “What’s in it for me?” And Mark didn’t have an answer, until he brightly answered “the rousing applause of the audience!” The guitarist joked again that he was guessing there was no money in this win, which sparked a comment about Canadian dollars. Mark had to confess that he had none of those to give. They were about to move on to their next song when an audience member ran up to the stage with a ten dollar bill and handed it off to Mark, who presented it to the winning guitarist, along with cheers and chuckles from the audience. This was a moment that is truly Canadian! I love our country and the generous hearts of our people.

An epic guitar showdown between two members of The Digital Age

An audience member hands over ten Canadian dollars for the winner of the showdown

Now these guys can stop at Timmies on the way out

#10 - standing on holy ground

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:13

There was some true seeking and finding going on Sunday morning during our worship time together. When you are together in a field with the church - thousands of people praising in unity, you get a little taste of what Heaven will be like.

There was a moment when my eyes were opened. We were there on Stoney Nakota Nation, experiencing the healing and restoration of the Lord, and we started singing a song together that says “We are standing on holy ground. And I know that there are angels all around.” In that moment, seeing the vast mountains surrounding us, the endless open blue sky, the miles of sacred land at our feet, I felt the presence of the angels as they protected that place of worship and rejoiced at what the Lord was doing on those lands.

It was a special time of worship and quite frankly, we could have done that for the rest of the day and been richly blessed. Thank you for all of the people whose hard work went into making that time possible.

Local believers lead us in a time of worhsip

Thousands of voices were raised together in worship to our Creator

#11 - west of here

There is something profoundly wonderful about witnessing the start of something big. West of Here, three brothers and a friend from Edmonton, were the up and comers of the NGL festival. Despite the nerves, (after all this was the largest audience they had ever played for,) they charmed us with their unique sound and inspiring story. They recounted how hard it was when their house burnt down as youngsters, but that when their parents rebuilt, they added a band room. “And that’s why we’re here today.” They encouraged everyone to recognize that God has plans that we sometimes can’t see in the hard times, but they are only possible by walking through the storm. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to their album on the way home, and besides that - their merchandise is gorgeous! I love showing off my new West of Here attire (which one member designs himself, by the way! These kids are talented!!!) Stay strong, guys! May the Lord keep you rooted in Him as you spread the message through your music.

Check out their website: http://www.westofhereband.com/

We enjoyed talking with these humble and talented guys

Rockin' out to 'If Wishes Were Horses' (my personal favourite)

Gorgeous merchandise. This bracelet will be glued to my wrist for some time to come.

#12 - Building 429

This isn’t their first rodeo. Building 429 never ceases to entertain, while still giving glory to God and bringing our hearts into a place of worship. Their latest album was my Christmas present to myself this past year and since then, we’ve seen then in concert twice. I highly look forward to many more. We cannot say enough about these guys. You really have to see them yourself! (They even had my husband up off his chair with his hands in the air - and that’s saying a lot! haha)

Jason Roy, lead singer, puttin' on the moves

The huge NGL stage under the stars

Lead singer, Jason Roy

My husband joining with thousands as they worship under the stormy sky

A youngster up on dad's shoulders claps along to the music

Building 429

#13 - the line up

I’ve mentioned a few of the artists by name, but let me just say that ALL of the 19 artists that came to NGL were truly amazing and talented. Choosing a favourite would be impossible. For a first time festival, it’s amazing to see so many big names and talented performers. Every single group got up and laid their hearts out and we looked forward to every set.

Sanctus Real

Sanctus Real guitarist is flooded with light from the evening sun

Switchfoot

Switchfoot

Switchfoot (Happy birthday, Tim)

An epic performance by Stikyard

Charming husband and wife duo, Love & The Outcome

It was absolutely thrilling to get a chance to meet and talk with several of the artists! This was a major highlight of the weekend, being able to speak blessing and encouragement to these people as they tirelessly travel around the world sharing their music. Thank you to all of the artists who took the time to hang out in the audience or do meet & greets! You blessed us!

Mikayla with Sanctus Real - awesome guys!

Mikayla with Love & The Outcome - May the Lord bless your new little family richly!

Stickyard member uses the back of his band member to sign Mikayla's poster. Someone get these guys some sharpies!

#14 - our wedding song

Surreal. That’s the only way to describe what it was like, snuggled up to my husband on a stormy August night under the stars, listening to Michael W. Smith in-person singing one of the songs we played at our wedding ceremony fifteen years ago. “Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.” What a transforming work the Lord has done in our marriage since then, taking us from two naive barely-adults who didn’t have a clue what love really was, to two very-much-in-love best friends. It felt like a full-circle moment.

Unfortunately, lightning cut short Michael’s set, but he held in there as long as was possibly safe. We could see them giving him signals from the side of the stage to cut it off, but he signaled for them to give him a moment, and he just stood there and let us all finish singing the worship song back to him, before he gently sung his regrets. “I don’t want to go… but I have to… because there’s a storm. But I’ll be back. I promise!” And then they whisked him away and evacuated us all from the stage area. It was 11 o’clock at night and the last performer of the festival, and something felt so unfinished about how it all ended. I suppose it’s because this journey is not over - NGL is just beginning!

On the quiet walk back to the campsite, with a dramatic lightning show at our backs, I told the kids why that performance touched me to deeply. Michael W. Smith has been doing music for as long as I’ve been alive. His songs have been a part of many significant moments in my life. Even though this was my first time ever seeing him in person, I feel like I’ve known him my entire life, because he’s been there through it. It was profoundly beautiful to realize the impact of music.

Michael W. Smith giving a great performance despite the lightning approaching

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith - he's still got it!

Michael W. Smith

# 15 - the atmosphere

What happens when the Family of God comes together? You get five thousand people who love each other! That’s what No Greater Love was all about. One of the highlights for us was the positive atmosphere, the loving environment. Falling asleep in our tent at night to the sounds of campers singing Jesus Loves Me around the fire. Being able to put our arms around the people beside us, link hands and laugh together as we worshipped. Bring connected by Jesus so that introductions aren’t necessary - we already know we are family.

I’m so glad we decided to camp out and fully immerse ourselves in the atmosphere. There were community fire pits throughout the campsite and we happened to be fortunate enough to be tenting right beside one of them. We met a bunch of people from Alberta and one guy from Washington who came all the way up to see some of his favourite artists. One young man,“Lid Guy” as we called him (aka Jake,) could get a fire roaring using a rubbermaid lid! It was an impressive talent. As we left Monday morning, we saw people with their arms around each other praying, we saw people out in the field below the mountains soaking in the glory of God in his creation one last time, we heard people singing to themselves. The goal of NGL was unity in the body, and we saw it with our own eyes, we felt it with our hearts.

Thank you to the amazing people who made NGL possible. You blew our expectations out of the water by a million miles. We were touched - we were changed - by this weekend. We will be lifers!

Now that's what I call a fire! Great job, Lid Guy!

Our camp bracelets

The family of God connecting in worship and unity. Praise the name of Jesus forever!

Footnotes

All photos copyright Northern Persona Photography, 2016

FootNotes

All photos copyright Northern Persona Photography, 2016

© 2026 Tineke Ziemer

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