Chris Tomlin's 'Good Friday Nashville' concert returns to benefit local foster children

Chris Tomlin can describe his annual Good Friday Nashville concert with one word: Surprise. 

Tomlin, a best-selling worship music songwriter and performer, wasn't sure what to expect when approached five years ago about throwing a concert inside Bridgestone Arena — Nashville's largest indoor venue — to celebrate the annual Christian holiday. 

"The way it started was crazy, right?" Tomlin said. "I've toured Nashville several times in my past. I think we had 4,500, maybe 5,000 people at one of my concerts at Ascend Amphitheater the year before [Good Friday Nashville] and I was pretty fired up about that. 

"My team's like, 'Let's do this at Bridgestone Arena.' I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?'" 

Spoiler: It worked.

Good Friday Nashville quickly became an Easter staple in Music City, drawing capacity crowds and surprising audiences with unannounced guests — from Lauren Daigle to country trio Lady A and Rascal Flatts. 

After two years off due to COVID-19, Good Friday Nashville returns April 15 to Bridgestone Arena for a night of worship music that doubles as an opportunity to raise funds for For Others, a nonprofit co-founded by Tomlin and wife Lauren Tomlin to support vital foster care programs. 

Limited tickets remain to via goodfridaynashville.com, starting at $18.20 before fees. For Others collects ticket proceeds this year to help fund local foster care program Tennessee Kids Belong. Those unable to be in Nashville can catch the show via Facebook livestream or on far-reaching faith radio platforms K-LOVE and Air-1. 

"It's so much city-oriented and city-focused with the fact that we're able to give everything away," Lauren Tomlin said, adding: "It's powerful to be able to know this money's going back to our city." 

Annual Nashville concert returns 

For some ticketholders, Good Friday Nashville marks a worship concert two years in the making. Chris Tomlin put a hold on in-person celebrations in 2020 and 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic, instead opting for virtual, audience-free broadcasts. 

Going back to Bridgestone connects a bona fide concert with a livestream experience cornered by the singer and his team during months impacted by the coronavirus. 

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"There's nothing like being there with people and gathering with people," Chris Tomlin said. 

And, of course, expect a special guest — or three, Chris Tomlin said. 

"It just keeps growing and growing and growing ... with what we're able to do," Chris Tomlin said. "But the heart of it is the same. Coming together to remember the cross, to remember this weekend. That's what Easter is: It's a remembrance of what Jesus has done for us." 

Good Friday for a good cause 

This year's concert comes anchored by benefitting a personal cause for the Tomlin family: Foster care and adoption. Chris Tomlin's brothers, Cory and Ryan Tomlin, have adopted and raised foster children, he said. 

Chris and Lauren Tomlin last year launched For Others as a platform to amplify adoption stories and distribute fundraising to boots-on-the-ground organizations aiding children in need. 

"We felt compelled to ... build not only awareness but also harness and gather resources to channel back to those kids who really can't advocate for themselves," Lauren Tomlin said. 

For Others leadership enlisted Christian author and pastor David Nasser as president of the organization. This year, the organization has largely worked with a half-dozen "pillar" partners that focus on children in varying foster situations, Nasser said. Depending on the partner, each dollar raised could create $5 or $10 of impact, he added. 

"The awareness piece is big for us," said Nasser, who adopted his son at age nine.

"Chris Tomlin, standing on that stage in front of 14,000 people, swinging a really big flag on behalf of the vulnerable children in the state of Tennessee." 

And ahead of the concert, For Others leadership hosts a private auction and golf tournament with guests including Marcus Allen, Eddie George, Shay Mooney of country-pop duo Dan + Shay and Ben Zobrist, among others. 

"It's our inaugural gathering of donors, people who want to get involved in a big way," Chris Tomlin said. "Beyond just a concert, but how do we create this movement across the nation? All this came from Good Friday; all this came from this Nashville concert." 

New Tomlin tunes

Those who catch Chris Tomlin's Good Friday Nashville concert may hear new music from the longtime singer.

Late last month, he released a pair of new singles: "Always," a song reminding listeners about the longevity of faith that Tomlin released to Christian radio, and its follow-up, "YAHWEH (No One)." 

The songs come as Chris Tomlin continues working on a new album, he said. 

"[They] hopefully give people a voice to worship God and give something they can sing and connect to God," he said. 

Tune in: Visit goodfridaynashville.com for more information on how to listen or watch the show abroad.