1love summer jam - june 6, 2026

1LOVE Outshines the Clouds

June 6th, was a day that reminded us all of a profound truth: just as in life, love has the power to overcome any storm. While the afternoon brought a significant downpour prior to the concert and sprinkles persisted through much of the evening, the spirit of the Outcast Church family remained unshakable. We gathered at Burcham Park to celebrate our first anniversary, and the result was nothing short of miraculous.

Rising to the Challenge

The journey to the 1Love Summer Jam was one of incredible growth. What began as a simple idea for a backyard party evolved into a block party concept, before finally blossoming into a full-fledged concert in the park with food truck vendors. This rapid evolution presented a significant challenge to the 1Love Task Force, who worked diligently managing logistics and the evolving vision.  Their hard work ensured that even when the weather turned, the event proceeded with a sense of determination and unity that reflected the very core of our mission.

The musical performance kicked off with the Doobie Brothers’ “Takin’ it to the Streets”—an appropriate choice as we were literally doing just that—followed by Bob Marley’s iconic anthem “One Love”. During her welcome, Pastor Jeni shared a message on “social graces,” reminding us that while we all fall short and face our own struggles, we are united as “friends in low places” who are deeply loved and accepted exactly as we are. She emphasized that despite our differences or disagreements, we are called to prioritize relationships and choose love in every circumstance. This sentiment culminated in an enthusiastic, crowd-wide sing-along of the Garth Brooks classic “Friends in Low Places”.

Later in the concert, Pastor Jeni shared how the divine can be found in the ordinary, even through the lyrics of "Tennessee Whiskey". While acknowledging the song wasn't composed as a hymn, she highlighted its resonance with the human longing for unconditional love and the power of being truly seen. She went on to say:

"Although I'm pretty sure that song wasn't written about Jesus; it was written about the power of love... So many have never known true love and long to be loved unconditionally. To be valued and seen. That’s where we come in, a community of people with open arms."

Referencing the song's lyrics about being rescued from the "bottom," Jeni reminded us that Jesus specifically sought out the broken and the outcasts. She asserted that the divine is present in unconventional settings such as local bars, emergency rooms, and homeless camps, effectively challenging the idea that God resides only among those deemed "holy".

The evening concluded with a rendition of "With a Little Help from My Friends," leaving everyone with the powerful message that no mess is too great for God's restoration. It served as a reminder that when we care for one another, we become active participants in His transformational work.

The Silver Lining

The response from our community for this event was overwhelming. Despite the rain, we sold nearly 150 tickets for the event and are still tabulating the total amount raised to support the ongoing missions and growth of Outcast Church, but at press time, over $3,500 was raised!

This success would not have been possible without a vast network of supporters. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Our Very Own Band: 2nd Pour, who brought  an uplifting and high-energy soundtrack to the night.

• Raffle Organizers/Donors: Our intermission drawings for the themed baskets: Wine Time, Pamper Yourself, Beach Blast, Backyard Fun, A Little Jesus, Quiet Evening and Game Night, as well as our 50/50 Raffle, was another fun highlight of the evening, and we are deeply grateful to those who contributed funds and beautiful baskets to make it a success!

• Our Food Truck Partners: That Gelato and Sorbetto Guy, KC Corndog Company, and Silly Squeezers for their delicious contributions and for participating in our free item giveaway program.

• Community Partners: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, the University of Kansas and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce for their vital assistance in planning and safety.

• Local Businesses: Every business that graciously allowed us to display posters and promotional materials to spread the word including of course, Wayne & Larry’s.

• The Volunteers: To everyone who helped with parking, check-in, raffle organization, fresh popcorn (and popper!) and the post-event cleanup—your service is the heartbeat of this church.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended. Your presence, even in the sprinkles, proved that we are a community that knows how to "get together and make everyone feel alright" no matter what the forecast says. We look forward to many more years of celebrating 1Love together.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS