The Main Event
Launches Sunday June 3rd - 2018!
The Main Event is a FREE high energy non-denominational event that draws 1,000 students weekly on Sunday nights during the summer months. This is an event put on by students for students, filled with lights, engaging music, skits, and relevant gospel teaching. Gifted communicators share the powerful reality of a relationship with God on a weekly basis. You’ve got to experience it to believe it!
We're planning something special for Summer 2018!
Our team is putting together an incredible line up of speakers, special guests and activities for the 2018 Main Event season.
Get ready, start talking it up with your friends and see you at the Main Event this summer!
We will host the Main Event for nine weeks on Sunday nights starting June 3rd, 2018.
A full line up of speakers and details will be posted soon!
THE MAIN EVENT SCHEDULE!
7:00pm Pre-Event Games and Entertainment
7:30pm - Doors Open
8:00pm - Main Event!
Group Reservations
If you would like to assure that your group can sit together, we will save you seats in the back half of Strickland Auditorium. You may reserve seats online, and let us know how many seats you want saved. If your seats are not occupied by 7:45 pm, we will open these up to the general public. Without reservations, seats will be available first come, first serve. Reserve your seating here by Saturday at noon before the event you are attending.
Location and Directions
The Main Event takes place during the summer on Sunday nights at Strickland Auditorium at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, GA.
Strickland Auditorium
Epworth by the Sea
100 Arthur J. Moore Drive
St Simons Island, GA 31522
- From I-95, Take Exit 38.
- Turn onto the Spur 25 heading South.
- The Spur 25 will merge into Hwy 17; turning right onto Hwy 17 S.
- Take a left onto the F. J. Torras Causeway towards St. Simons at the light about 2 miles after merging onto Hwy. 17S.
- At the end of the causeway, follow directions through the round-about to head north onto Sea Island road.
- Shortly after getting onto Sea Island Rd., turn left at the first street which is the 1st entrance to Epworth-by-the Sea onto Epworth Road and then right onto Arthur J. Moore Drive.
- Parking is in the grass lot before entering the Epworth gates.
2018 Speakers and Theme Nights!
Each Main Event features a unique lineup of dynamic event speaker and theme nights! Both are designed to create an environment that is fun and engaging while pointing students to Jesus.
Click each date below to read the speaker's bio.
Carlos Whittaker is a People’s Choice Award winner, a former recording artist signed to a major label, a social media maven, and currently spends the majority of his time writing books and speaking on stages around the world. It really began when the Whittaker’s found their family in America’s spotlight with appearances on shows like CBS Early Morning, The Today Show and more when their viral video “Single Ladies Devastation” went viral. But for Carlos, his wife Heather and their three children, this viral moment was just a snapshot of the bigger picture.
THE THEME THIS NIGHT IS A "WHITE OUT NIGHT"! EVERYONE COME DRESSED IN WHITE CLOTHES FOR A CRAZY NIGHT OF FUN!
Shep messages are as relevant as they are timeless. His influence is national. And his philosophy is simple: Tough times do not last, Tough people do!
He is C.L. Shepherd or "Shep" as he is widely and affectionately known. Shep proudly hails from the small town of Apopka, Florida. One of 15 siblings, Shep endured challenges that most would only encounter through the fictional medium of television. As a result, his transparent, unabashed testimony has captivated thousands, subsequently leading people to transformed lives in droves. His passion and devotion to seeing lives changed is evident in his speaking and mentoring. Moreover, his awe-inspiring message has led him to being one of the highest sought after communicators nationally in the sports, education, faith based, and corporate world.
Shep is the Founder and CEO of Keep the Change, Inc., Shep now desires to "make plays" off the field, by making a difference in others' lives. As a nationally recognized sports chaplain, and character/life coach, Shep conveys this message to all people, regardless of race, gender, denomination, class or age demographic, igniting them to live a life of purpose, and to make every day count. His vision is to see the world of sports dominated by selfless leaders who walk much louder than they talk.
People often talk about the future of hip-hop music like it isn't right now. As if the future were some far off paint splotch occupying our collective imagination. On the contrary, the future is now, and some aren't afraid to take it where it's going. Enter Social Club Misfits, the Miami duo whose built a cult following on the strength of their provocative oeuvre and singular, quick-witted approach. Comprised of Marty and Fern, Social Club is the after-effect of two distinctive personalities meshing to create an invigorating sound. The self-monikered "Misfits" are disruptors in every sense, challenging norms and bringing other misfits along for the ride. With a host of projects and EPs under their proverbial belt, including the Billboard-charting full lengths Misfits 2 and US, Social Club Misfits has made a sport of pushing boundaries and redefining the possibilities of what faith-based music can accomplish. From headlining sold out tours across the country to spawning imitators the world over, it's clear the duo has struck a chord with listeners from all walks of life. They have bypassed perceived gatekeepers in favor of carving their own lane and fueling their purpose. While some are content with moving wherever the current leads, Social Club Misfits has embraced their calling as leaders of a more intentional school of thought. The misfits are now. Their latest project, The Misfit Generation EP is available now!
Toni Collier is a communicator, host and consultant at North Point Ministries (founded by Andy Stanley), on-camera personality at The reThink Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes public school speaker and co-founder of The Resource Group: A faith based consulting firm.
Toni is known for her vibrant personality, charisma and all around welcoming spirit. You will frequently hear her shout the sentence; "Broken crayons still color!" as she has a passion to help women and teens believe in the idea that no matter their difficult story or walls of weakness, God still has an incredible plan to go along with the purpose He's placed in their life.
THE THEME THIS NIGHT IS A "NEON NIGHT"! EVERYONE COME DRESSED IN NEON CLOTHES FOR A CRAZY NIGHT OF FUN!
Jimmy Gunderman is the Director of Discipleship and Programs at The Gathering Place. Before his time at GP, he and his family spent several years on the mission field in India, serving and sharing the good news of the Gospel. Jimmy has a passion to make much of Jesus and see students fill their God-given potential.
Lucas’ journey started in the heart of Argentina, being born in Buenos Aires. He emigrated to the U.S. as a child with his family. Now, Lucas lives out his passion for raising up the next generation of leaders in his role as President and CEO of The Gathering Place, an innovative student mentoring and Christian leadership development organization that impacts over 10,000 students annually.
He is an author (www.DesignedForMoreBook.com) and keynote speaker to a diverse group of audiences including venues such as Catalyst Conference, TEDx and The Georgia House of Representatives. He is an organizational leadership expert and loves sharing and learning new ideas.
The greatest blessing in his life is being married to his college sweetheart, Thea Ramirez, who is the Founder and CEO of Adoption-Share. The couple has three kids and the family lives in Coastal Georgia with their two pups Bailey and Wally. Lucas thinks he might just be the luckiest guy alive.
Dr. Duffy Robbins is Professor of Youth Ministry at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania and is a thirty-five year veteran of youth ministry. Duffy speaks around the world to teenagers and people who care about teenagers. Duffy has his D.Min. in Youth and Family Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is the author of numerous books including Ministry of Nurture, Speaking to Teenagers (which he co-wrote with Doug Fields), Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts and Enjoy the Silence (which he co-wrote with a wonderful girl named Maggie Robbins that he married many years ago).
THE THEME THIS NIGHT IS A "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"! EVERYONE COME DRESSED IN CHRISTMAS GEAR FOR A CELEBRATION AT THE NORTH POLE!
A night of live music and celebration of all that God has done over the summer!
