More than 11,000 attend the kickoff of the weekend-long Teen Mania ministry event at the St. Pete Times Forum
From high above, they swarmed like an ocean of typical teenagers headed to an N'Sync concert:
They moved in packs. They chattered. They wore baggy jeans and baseball caps and carried cell phones.
But at ground level, in the bustle Friday night outside the St. Pete Times Forum, the details told a different story.
Their shirts bore slogans like "Stone Cold Dead Without Jesus" and "God Squad" and "Angel." Many toted well-worn Bibles bound in leather.
The vans they arrived in came from Winter Haven and Floral City and Seminole. Most had church logos on the sides, with crosses hand-painted in the windows.
Welcome to Christianity, MTV style.
The throngs came for the kickoff of "Acquire the Fire," a weekend-long gathering that mixes a rock concert atmosphere with a religious message. The rallies, part of the nonprofit Teen Mania ministry, began in 1991 and have grown steadily in popularity.
One reason might be because they provide something nearly every teen craves -- acceptance.
"You don't have to feel embarrassed," said 16-year-old Seth Zipp of Bradenton. "There are thousands of more kids here worshiping, just like you."
That same feeling has drawn 17-year-old Catherine Campbell to the event for the past three years.
"I feel like I'm not the only Christian teenager out here," said Campbell, who came with her youth group from Miami. "Every teenager you see here, they want to be here. (And) the people who are out on stage are our age. They can relate to us."
Even the youth leaders and gray-haired parents, knowing they would face six-foot tall speakers and electric guitars, seemed content in the sea of raucous teenagers.
"It's Friday night. These kids could be out on the corner doing drugs, but they're not," said 45-year-old Brian Pape of Dunedin, who came with his son's youth group. "This lets them see a different alternative. They're able to cut loose and be themselves."
On this night, the Outpost bar across from the Forum sat silent. The Bacardi Rum "Shots at Channelside" was closed. The vendors weren't selling beer.
But the crowds still came, more than 11,000 strong.
In the bowels of the Forum, Christian band members milled around back stage. Song lists and prayer lists hung on the walls, not far from a Zamboni.
Then smoke filled the stage. A drum beat shook the floor. An electric guitar rang out. Bodies swayed in the crowd.
And the lead singer stepped toward the microphone. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! he sang into the darkness.
The ocean of teenagers shouted back.
Hallelujah.