1DayLA organized an event that brought together Justin Bieber, Kari Jobe, Tori Kelly, Chance the Rapper, Lauren Daigle, Conor McGregor, and 20,000 volunteers from the Southern California area to serve Los Angeles county starting on July 18, 2021. The seven-day service event deployed volunteers all over the county.
According to 1DayLA.com, volunteers took part in city-beautification projects, back-to-school events, free medical clinics, homeless assistance, and aid distribution throughout the city. Volunteers were then invited to a free concert titled “The Freedom Experience” that included performances by Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, Tori Kelly, Jaden Smith, Chandler Moore, Kari Jobe, and hosted by entertainment journalist Jason Kennedy at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 24, 2021.
Justin Bieber: ‘Jesus Changed My Life’
Fresh off the 2021 release of his album “Justice” and a surprise Easter EP “Freedom,” Justin Bieber had no issue letting the 1DayLA volunteers God has changed his life and given him hope.
“Some of you might not be used to this type of atmosphere, but what you’re feeling right now is the presence of God,” Bieber told the thousands in attendance. “[God] doesn’t need perfect people. He just wants to use average, ordinary, broken people like us.”
“I’m tired of religion. I’m tired of division. I just want to know what it looks like to love people,” an emotional Bieber said. “I want to know Jesus, who goes to where the broken people are.”
Those in attendance lifted their arms in worship, much like a Sunday-morning praise gathering. Although the world faced many trials during the last year, Bieber told those packed into the SoFi Stadium: “We do got a hope, and His name is Jesus, and He’s changed my life.”
Holding back tears, Bieber invited Pastor Judah Smith onto the stage, calling him a brother who’s changed his life. “I can’t look at you or else I’m gonna cry,” Bieber told Smith.
“This miracle you see sitting in front of you,” Smith said while pointing at Justin, “was not the doing of any person or mere therapy, and therapy is important.” Smith gave testimony to the crowd about what he has witnessed in Bieber’s life. “But I am telling that this man’s life has been saved and transformed not by religion, dogma, doctrine, church services, conferences, or retreats. It has been the person of Jesus. The Resurrection and the Life.”
After Smith finished speaking, he recited his part in Bieber’s song “Where Do I Fit In.” Then Justin took over.
Bieber was inspired to join the event “because of his strong and long-held belief that giving of ourselves in service to others is one of the most important things we can do. Bieber is committed to the powerful idea that a movement for change can start with individuals helping one another and their community.”
Kari Jobe, Tori Kelly, Lauren Daigle, and More
Kari Jobe and her husband Cody Carnes led the 20,000-plus in attendance in a powerful time of worship as Bieber stood on the side of stage singing with his arms raised in worship. In a post that is no longer on her Instagram story, Jobe shared, “Still so moved about last night.”
Tori Kelly told her Instagram followers that “The Freedom Experience” was an incredible night filled with “so much love.” Kelly said it was an honor to share the stage with everyone and thanked Jesus.
Maverick City Music’s Chandler Moore performed songs with Bieber throughout the night. Moore and Bieber joined forces a few months ago to perform a short worship session at Churchome, where Judah and his wife Chelsea are the lead pastors.
The crowd was littered with celebrities as well, including Lauren Daigle, who was spotted by fans and graciously posed for a photo-op. The most surprising name found within the crowd was The Notorious Conor McGregor and his family, one of the most-recognized UFC fighters in the sport today. Bieber posted on McGregor’s Instagram thanking him for coming.