Christian singer Brandon Lake paused his packed-out Cowboy Church concert at CMA Fest on Sunday to pray for a woman who collapsed in the crowd, telling those gathered on Nashville’s riverfront that her well-being was “more important” than the performance.
The medical emergency occurred during a packed worship service hosted by Lake at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, where thousands of attendees gathered for the annual event featuring appearances by CeCe Winans, Dan + Shay and a surprise guest appearance from country star Lainey Wilson, The Tennessean reported.
“Can we stop?” Lake said as first responders made their way through the crowd. “This is more important.”
Emergency crews spent roughly 10 minutes reaching the woman through the packed crowd as people stood in silence. Soft instrumental music played while medics attended to the woman, who was later transported backstage on a cart with an IV attached. By the time she was taken away, she was conscious.
“In Jesus’ name, we ask right now that you would just minister to this person,” Lake prayed. “Revive them right now, give them strength.”
The incident unfolded during one of CMA Fest’s most heavily attended events. Organizers stopped admitting attendees by the time Lake took the stage as crowds filled the hillside overlooking the Cumberland River and stretched beyond the venue’s entrance.
“Faith and culture are colliding in really beautiful ways right now, and CMA Fest is one of the best places to see just how deeply that’s reflected in country music,” Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo said. “Brandon Lake’s Cowboy Church concert, along with Jamie MacDonald and Leanna Crawford performing throughout the week, is a perfect example.”
Lake, whose collaboration with Jelly Roll, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” took home the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, opened the service with a message of hope.
“This is good news this morning,” he said. “God’s not done yet.”
After the medical emergency, the event continued with performances and testimonies from several artists. Lake introduced Dan + Shay, who performed “She Believes in Me” and reflected on the role their wives have played in their lives.
“Speaking of, our brides are here, and so I know this is Cowboy Church, but we’re going to sing a love song,” Lake said. “Because the truth is, I don’t think we’d be the men that we are if it wasn’t for the women in our lives.”
Lake later welcomed Wilson to the stage. The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, who was not listed on the original lineup, shared how a conversation about faith led to a songwriting collaboration with Lake.
Near the end of the service, Lake spoke directly to audience members who may feel distant from God or unworthy of attending church.
“Listen, I know it’s hot,” Lake said. “I wrote a song called ‘Bubba’ … Grace is so much bigger than any sin or any mess you’ve gotten yourself in trouble with. But the Holy Ghost is here and I got to take advantage of the fact that we have a packed out crowd. Maybe somebody got dragged here by your grandma or something, who said, ‘We’re going to a country rock concert.’ Well, surprise, you came to church.”
Following his performance, Lake shared a video of the event on Instagram: “I am SPEECHLESS!! Words don’t even do justice to what happened this morning. God is so good@ Cowboy Church LET’S GO!!! Will remember this forever,” he captioned the video.
Lake wasn’t the only Christian artist to perform at CMA Fest. On June 5, country star Jo Dee Messina shared a clip from her new album, Bridges, and said, “To God be the glory, let it be for Him. This song is for worshiping Jesus.”
Following those remarks, Messina brought up “You Say’ artist Lauren Daigle to perform a duet of the popular worship song, “Who Else.” Videos circulating online show the singers leading the crowd in worship, hands lifted.
“What an honor it was to sing with the beautiful @jodeemessina at @cma! It was such a warm welcome from the family of country music fans,” Daigle later wrote on Instagram. “Lifting up the name of Jesus with one of my favorite worship songs was Jo Dee’s idea, and I am so glad she asked me to be a part. I feel like heaven is going to be so extravagant with the music we will all be singing together… these moments here on earth are merely glimpses, and I live to see them!”
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]
