What was supposed to be a massive night of worship in downtown Topeka is suddenly shaping up to be one of the more unusual Christian music events of the year.
Bethel Music, featuring Jenn Johnson, and Christian hip-hop favorite KB are set to headline the inaugural Open Skies gathering on September 26 at Evergy Plaza in Topeka, Kansas. Thousands are expected for the free outdoor event, which promises live music, food trucks, prayer and a community-wide celebration centered on Jesus.
But there's a twist: Westboro Baptist Church plans to show up too - and not to sing along.
The controversial Topeka-based group has announced plans to protest the event, with spokesman Jonathan B. Phelps taking direct aim at Bethel Music and other contemporary Christian artists. Phelps accused such bands of preaching false doctrine and even branded the music "satanic tunes."
That means worshippers arriving to hear songs such as "Goodness of God," "Raise a Hallelujah" and "Reckless Love" could find protesters stationed nearby carrying signs and condemning the very music drawing thousands into the plaza.
The timing makes the showdown even more striking. Open Skies is being held in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of the 1901 Topeka Outpouring, an event widely regarded as an important moment in the emergence of modern Pentecostalism.
Organizer Cody Foster says the gathering isn't intended to champion one Christian denomination. Rather, Open Skies is designed to bring Christians from different traditions together while inviting those outside the faith into an evening of music, hope and community.
So, on September 26, Topeka could witness quite the scene: Bethel Music singing about the goodness of God, KB bringing Christian hip-hop to the streets, thousands gathering for worship - and Westboro Baptist Church protesting across the way.
One thing seems certain: Open Skies may end up generating considerably more attention than organizers originally anticipated.
