Christian music electrifies crowd of 1,400

For Naomi Jirele, last week’s Christian concert at the Steele County Free Fair provided the reassurance that there is life beyond earth.

Specifically, she found hope in the song, “Jay Bird,” sung by Big Daddy Weave, a national contemporary Christian band, which is the first of its kind to ever perform at the fair. Lead vocalist Mike Weaver wrote the song after the death of his brother, Jay, three years ago.

Weaver shared how his brother struggled with medical issues, leading to the amputation of both of his feet. He bounced back with prosthetic legs and a wheelchair. However, the health issues persisted. In 2022, Weaver got the worst phone call of his life when he heard his brother take his final breath.

“It’s been the roughest thing I’ve ever been through,” he said. “But I know when he breathed for the last time here, I know he took his first, big fresh breath of heaven. I know Jesus was right there and walked him into heaven.”

Weaver told the audience how the Lord showed him that his worst day wasn’t his last day. “Our hope has a name. It’s Jesus. His name is above every other name, even above your hurt. There is always hope for the believer,” he said.

Jirele has experienced her own pain and suffering.

“I wept throughout the whole song,” said Jirele, who lost her son, Ryan Jirele, in 2023 after a battle with cancer. “It reminded me of Ryan and that we can grieve with hope. All of it came flooding back to me,” she said.

Jirele said Big Daddy’s performance reminded her of what it may be like in heaven. “Since my son passed, I have moments where Jesus gives me throne room encounters,” she said. “It’s like I get to worship with Jesus with my son. For those who believe, worship definitely shortens the distance from earth to heaven.”

After the concert, Jirele said she hopes the greater community will understand that there is a creator that loves them. “He loves them so much. Take it from tonight and share it with others,” she said. “The community needs to know it’s bigger than all of us,” she added.

Looking back at her son, Jirele said, “There is something about Ryan and the love he had for Jesus.”

Lori Stoykovich, who serves on the board of Owatonna Area Christian Radio, which was largely responsible for bringing Christian music to the fair, was inspired by Big Daddy’s performance.

“God is good,” she said. “It was amazing. Tonight, you really felt his love. God’s love is just so true.”

Stoykovich said the audience estimated at about 1,400 shows that a lot of people either have a relationship with Jesus or are seeking a relationship. “The crowd was electrifying,” she said.

Added Stoykovich’s husband, Steve, “This one feeds your soul. It lifts your spirit.”

For Jirele, she takes comfort in knowing she has a loved one in heaven. “I give Jesus all the credit for all the good in my life, though I struggle with having a son already in heaven. There is some bigger picture there that I don’t know,” she said, noting good things have happened in her life since Ryan’s death.

“There is something about Ryan and the love he had for Jesus,” she said.

And, she added, last week’s concert was the hope and reassurance she needs to continue living on this earth.