Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch is one of the most recent artists to take the ice bucket challenge, a recent internet trend to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Association. McNevan was nominated by Carrie Underwood and Mike Fischer, and followed through by nominating fellow Christian artists Brian "Head" Welch and Lecrae.
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a neurodegenerative disease which affects the brain and the spinal cord, eventually seriously hindering muscle movement. Although an estimated 30,000 Americans live with this disease at any given time, until the advent of the ice bucket challenge, it was a relatively unknown illness.
The challenge calls on participants to video themselves being doused in a bucket of ice water and nominating others to do the same, with the catch that if they don’t follow through, they are requested to make a donation to an ALS research supporting charity. According to
ALSA.org, the phenomenon has already raised over $10 million for the cause.
Christian musicians have been quick to join this movement, offering their compassion and their buckets of ice for the cause. David Crowder was one of the first artists to complete the challenge, nominating fellow artists Chris Tomlin and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot to do likewise. Duncan Phillips of the Newsboys got on board and nominated Matthew West and Jen Ledger of Skillet (who in turn nominated her bandmates). Christian humanitarian figures such as Jamie Tworkowskie (founder of
To Write Love On Her Arms) have joined as well, sharing videos that spark conversation and action.
You can view some of the challenge videos below. For more information on the ice bucket challenge or to donate and get involved yourself, visit the
ALS Association's official website.
JEN LEDGER
DUNCAN PHILLIPS
DAVID CROWDER
JON FOREMAN
JAMIE TWORKOWSKI