[Jonular]

Multi-platinum-selling artist Michael W. Smith and best-selling author Max Lucado join forces again to create Come Thirsty: A Day of Refreshment and Worship. Slated for three cities this fall, each all-day event is geared for Christian inspiration through music, teaching and preaching.

"We're inviting people to give their Lord a Saturday," says Max Lucado. "Michael will lead worship. I'll bring encouragement from the Word. Together, we implore people to come thirsty and drink deeply. We want them to experience the presence of God and the joy of Christian community."

"This is going to be one big church service, and I'm excited about that," Michael W. Smith says. "As I've said many times before, this—leading God's people in worship—is what I enjoy more than anything else, and it's an honor to work again with Max Lucado."

Come Thirsty was inspired by Smith and Lucado's experience with the highly successful Come Together and Worship tour, which also included Third Day. The tour's spring 2003 leg was enjoyed by 110,000 people on the West Coast. Prior to that, the tour's fall 2002 dates ranked among Pollstar magazine's Top 100 tours of 2002.

While a rewarding experience, Smith and Lucado continually observed that the two hours allotted for the nightly concert wasn't enough. "Church services end too quickly and Christian concerts have to respect the clock and close the doors," Lucado explains. "Michael and I see the power of an extended time of teaching and exaltation." That's when they crafted Come Thirsty. It will be opportunity for attendees to be fed more richly. Smith will lead the music portion of the program. Lucado will offer nourishment through scripture and teaching.

Three cities will play host to the Come Thirsty event:

Sept. 11 Wichita, Kan.
Wichita Central Christian Church

Nov. 8 TBA

Nov. 20 Oklahoma City, Okla.
Crossings Community Church

Tickets may be reserved online at www.michaelwsmith.com or www.maxlucado.com. Tickets are also available at select local Christian bookstores or by calling 877/673-2246. All events begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. local time.

Max Lucado is America's leading inspirational author and the minister for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. With more than 33 million books sold worldwide, Lucado released last spring It's Not About Me: Rescue From the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy (Integrity).

Michael W. Smith is a Grammy, Dove and American Music Award-winning recording artist who last year celebrated 20 years in the music industry. He recently embarked on the 30+ city One Nation tour with co-headliner Mercy Me, which runs through the end of the summer. During the Come Thirsty events, Smith will be sharing worship songs from his upcoming album Healing Rain (Reunion, Oct. 26), including the title track which received praise after Smith debuted the song at this spring's Gospel Music Week.

For more information on Michael W. Smith, click here.