Russ Lee recently returned from a series of concerts and ministry appearances in Australia, Africa, Europe and the Pacific Islands.
His travels are part of the “I Will Go” World Tour and global initiative celebrating his 25 years in ministry. The Tour, which has now hit six continents, also stopped in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore earlier this year.
“After spending this year circling the globe, I'm more convinced than ever that deep inside each of us is the same greatest need, to be loved unconditionally regardless of one's cultural, ethnic or social background,” Lee says. “The Gospel of Jesus Christ resonates this message of love deeply in all those who hear it. I feel so blessed that my family and I have been able to carry this message, literally around the world.”
In cooperation with HCJB World Radio, Lee performed concerts throughout the Pacific Islands and witnessed thousands make commitments to Christ. He gave three outreach concerts in Sydney, Australia, and performed at a citywide concert in Suva, the capital of Fiji. He also visited three prisons, a children’s hospital and a school in Fiji.
In American and Western Samoa, Lee was hosted by the Showers of Blessing Radio Network. He conducted music workshops, spoke and performed at public school assemblies and presented evening outreach concerts in Pago Pago. In Western Samoa, Lee performed at a school assembly and gave concerts in local churches, in addition to a citywide concert for nearly 1000 people in Apia.
At Busa Secondary, a public school in Paupa New Guinea, Lee held a concert for students and faculty and was allowed to share the salvation message. “About five songs into the concert, the entire school's power went out,” Lee recalls. “So I hopped off the stage and shared my testimony. Someone brought me a bullhorn so the whole crowd could hear, and when I gave a call for anyone who wished to receive Christ, over 500 out of the 800 in attendance stood in response to the Gospel. It was a humbling experience.”
Lee spent a month in Africa, including a week in the bush ministering to the Samburu tribe, an unreached people group. In Nairobi, he met and ministered with missionaries and presented a concert for more than 1000 students at Kenyatta University. During his time in Africa, Lee also participated in street ministry and visited various World Vision community development sites.
Earlier this summer, Lee traveled extensively in Germany, Ireland and Poland. In Germany, he continued his ongoing ministry to U.S. military personnel by visiting families stationed at the Kaiserslautern and Hanau Army Posts and Ramstein Air Base. He appeared at various events and toured the Walking Wounded Medical Detachment and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where many combat wounded soldiers from the Middle East are transported for treatment.
Lee performed in Athlone, Ireland, at the closing ceremony of the country’s 40-day “Prayer Watch,” in addition to presenting a concert at a church in Dublin. He also appeared alongside several mainstream artists at "European Days” in Gliwise, Poland, and gave a concert in Wisla.
Next year, Lee plans to complete the U.S. leg of the “I Will Go” World Tour, finishing his visits to all 50 states and spending time in the Navajo Nation. He is also slated to travel to India and make a return trip to the Dominican Republic, among other locations.
In partnership with World Vision, HCJB World Radio, New Day Christian Distributors, Go Global Entertainment and Soul2Soul Radio, the “I Will Go” World Tour is part of a broader missions initiative Lee is implementing to help educate and challenge the local church to reach the world for Christ.
A former drug dealer, Lee received Christ 25 years ago and has since become an ordained minister and one of the most recognized vocalists in Christian music. He toured as a lead singer with both NewSong and Truth, where his signature voice was heard on a combined total of more than 10 #1 singles. His solo debut, "Words In Time" (Sparrow Records), released in 2000, followed by "The Second Mile" (Christian Records) in 2003, "Hear Those Bells" (Vertical Vibe Records) in 2004, and "Pictures on Mantles: The Best of Russ Lee" (Vertical Vibe Records) in 2005.
