Country music's biggest stars came together for a powerful Cowboy Church at CMA Fest, drawing thousands and showcasing faith in action when a medical emergency arose.



The popular Cowboy Church at this year’s CMA Fest drew a massive crowd of country music fans worshipping Jesus alongside Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, and other artists – and later provided an opportunity for everyone to put that faith into action when a fan suddenly required medical attention.

It was the second annual Cowboy Church, a CMA Fest worship gathering founded by Brandon Lake that brings church to downtown Nashville, welcoming, as Lake put it, the “wanderers, the worn-out, the misfits, the ones who aren’t sure they belong anywhere.”

This year’s service featured Lake and Winans as well as country artists Dan + Shay and Lainey Wilson, who made a surprise appearance after not being listed on the program.

The event drew such a large crowd – “thousands” was the best guess – that organizers had to open multiple overflow areas featuring livestreams of the service. But shortly after Lake welcomed Winans to the stage for a performance of I Know a Name, fans near the front of the crowd began waving their arms and shouting for help, according to American Songwriter. Lake paused the service after learning that an attendee had passed out in the heat.

“This is more important,” Lake said as he stopped the music and called for medical personnel. While first responders attended to the fan, Lake led the crowd in prayer. “Well, in Jesus’ name ... revive him right now. Give him strength,” he prayed as Winans sang in the background.

Within minutes, the attendee was escorted from the area. Lake then thanked the first responders, telling the crowd, “Let’s give it up for our medical team, officers.” He also urged attendees to stay hydrated: “On that note, drink your water. Drink your water! God is a healer, but we've got to be smart.” The service quickly resumed.

Lake reminded attendees that no one is too far gone for God’s love.

“Grace is so much bigger than any sin or any mess you've gotten yourself in trouble with,” he said, according to The Tennessean. “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.”

On Instagram, Lake said he was grateful – and surprised – by the crowd.

“I am SPEECHLESS!! Words don’t even do justice to what happened this morning. God is so good!”

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