Follow You tour rocks Culpeper

It looked like a sight from the John Paul Jones Arena as more than 200 people lined up outside Culpeper County High School, Nov. 10, waiting for the doors to open for the Follow You tour.

The concert, co-headlined by Grammy nominated progressive rock act, Leeland, and Dove Award winning Male Vocalist of the Year, Brandon Heath, along with special guest Francesca Battistelli, received an overwhelming response.

Sponsored in part by Food for the Hungry, and made possible by Mountain View Community Church, the concert was a call to action. These artists share a common mission; to serve the poor and hungry.

Pausing during the concert, Heath shared how he was indifferent to homeless people for so long before realizing that they are just asking for humanity and respect; to feel like they belong again.

He went on to add that this mission is so much more than money, “It’s up to us to love, as He does.”

As more than 1,200 people filled the CCHS auditorium, a select few were in a rear hallway meeting the artists, seeking autographs and giggling while posing for photos.

In the balcony, Joe Davis and his daughter, 8-year-old Alexandra, came from Front Royal to hear Battistelli.

“Francesca is my favorite,” Alexandra said, “I have her CD.”

They heard about the tour through WPER, 89.9 FM. Calvin and Theresa, two WPER personalities, took the stage prior to the concert welcoming everyone on behalf of the radio station.

Battistelli, Heath and Leeland opened the concert together as a crowd began to gather at the foot of the stage.

The crowd grew larger and larger as Battistelli sang and then Leeland followed.

Cell phones and cameras lit up, throughout the auditorium, as Leeland reminded the crowd, through their song “Lift Your Eyes,” to lift their eyes up to heaven even in the midst of weakness and strife.

Before Leeland joined Heath to sing, “Follow You,” a song Leeland wrote that embodies the tour, Heath led the crowd in prayer. He asked that everyone present would come to know God and feel His love. He also asked God for a revival in Culpeper so that His presence will be known.

Cousins Lenore Baldwin, Terry Spencer and Lisa Milhoan travelled from Stuarts Draft to see the concert. While Milhoan was impressed by all of the artists, Baldwin said she liked the personalities of the Leeland members and especially enjoyed the videos. 

During the concert, Leeland reminded the standing room only crowd, “You are the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Heath reiterated that point when he announced that the tour objective is to get 1,000 kids sponsored by the end of the tour. Looking out over the auditorium he said, “It only takes $1 a day to join what we started with this tour.”

All of the artists have adopted a child through Food for the Hungry and Leeland and Heath have traveled to Cambodia and Bangladesh to see God working first hand.

With videos flashing in the background, they shared how folks with Food for the Hungry go into tough places, where there is poverty and great tragedy, and stand beside the local people, working the way Jesus worked.

During a 15-minute break, concert goers were encouraged to visit the lobby area where more information was provided regarding child adoption through Food for the Hungry. Envelopes with children’s photos and information were spread on a table for available sponsorship. 

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at