Howard Payne University is preparing for a free night of worship featuring Grammy Award-winning Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Brownwood Event Center’s outdoor stage, 601 Baker St.
The concert is open to the public, and tickets are not required. Admission will be first come, first served, but no one will be allowed into the venue before gates open at 4:30 p.m. Howard Payne’s Heritage Band is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by Tomlin.
HPU President Dr. Cory Hines said the university, city, community and business partners and volunteers have spent months preparing for the event.
“Sunday is almost here, and it’s so exciting to watch how God is moving to pull everything together for this night of worship,”
Hines also said the organizers are hoping for a large turnout and a meaningful evening.
“We’re praying for a wonderful turnout and for lives to be changed.”
What concertgoers can bring
Guests may bring lawn chairs, and food will be permitted inside the event center. A clear-bag policy will be enforced, so attendees should plan what they bring accordingly. Coolers will not be allowed inside the venue.
People seeking food before or during the event will have access to additional options near the concert site. The City of Brownwood recently announced that food trucks will be stationed along Congress Avenue between the Lehnis Railroad Museum & Visitor Center and Central Fire Station. The city has also shared a list of other dining options available Sunday, although the supplied event information does not include the individual restaurants or businesses on that list.
HPU athletics teams will sell bottled water for $1 per bottle. Proceeds from those sales will benefit Howard Payne teams.
Parking, access and event information
General parking and accessibility parking will be available in marked lots surrounding the Brownwood Event Center. Additional parking will be available on the Howard Payne campus. Organizers said there will be no shuttle service, meaning visitors should plan for their own transportation between parking and the venue.
A guest map can be accessed and downloaded online. HPU is directing visitors to www.hputx.edu/ChrisTomlin for the latest information and a concert checklist. Bruner Auto Family is the event’s presenting sponsor.
About Chris Tomlin
Tomlin’s career includes 21 number-one singles, 30 top-10 hits and 157 total weeks at No. 1. The event information says he has sold more than 12 million albums and accumulated more than 8 billion career global streams.
He has won a Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards and 30 Dove Awards. His most recent Dove Award cited in the event information was Song of the Year for “Holy Forever.” He also received recognition as a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year honoree and an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year.
TIME magazine has referred to Tomlin as the “most often sung artist in the world.” He was the first Christian artist to reach the billion-stream threshold on Pandora and received the platform’s BILLIONAIRE award. His touring history includes sold-out venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver.
In early 2019, Tomlin and his wife, Lauren, founded For Others, an organization intended to raise awareness and empower best-in-class organizations working to end the child welfare crisis in the United States.
About Howard Payne University
Founded in 1889, Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood. The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and serves students at three locations. Its stated core values include being centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship. HPU also highlights academic programs, student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities as part of its educational experience.