It took three months of planning on the part of ASB Ministries coordinator Bryce Phelan to host Phil Wickham at Corban University on Sunday, February 7.
Working with a booking agent and trying to coordinate available times for both the student body and Wickham proved difficult, said Phelan. Although ASB made no plans for getting a big-name singer to come to Corban, Phelan made it happen. He collaborated with sound manager Josh Bartlett to rent the sound equipment that Wickham needed. He had to check Corban’s insurance policy to make sure everything was approved. From there, it was just a matter of transportation and hotel accommodations to get Wickham to Corban.
Phelan traveled with Pastor Dan Huber to pick Wickham halfway to Portland, where they enjoyed talking with the Christian musician.
“In his conversations you could definitely tell he has a big heart for the church and also ministry through music,” said Phelan.
Although Wickham was tired from leading worship at three different services in Portland, he was excited to perform at Corban, and he was making up humorous songs about Corban along the way, according to Phelan. He described the campus as being beautiful and “really quiet.”
Along with hearing about how Wickham got started with music, Phelan asked about his family and about his new little girl. Wickham has always been a great supporter of his brother Evan, and the two have no hint of competition, said Phelan.
One thing that stood out about Wickham was how genuine he was. Listening to him pray before going on-stage meant a lot, as he watched him “pouring out his heart to God.”
Corban students responded well to Wickham’s night of worship, which started at 9 p.m. The highlight for junior Emilee Lloyd was him playing a new song for the first time ever, “Carry My Soul Away.”
“He was pretty humble and wholeheartedly wanted to worship God, and I appreciate his passion,” said Lloyd.