EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the name and information from Campbellsburg junior Cameran Smith. The story was updated on Friday, Feb. 18 with the correct information.

A half hour before Van Meter Hall’s auditorium doors were opened, attendees of the AfterDark concert stretched down the steps of the building in anticipation on Tuesday night.

AfterDark, a free Christian-based event, featured Nashville singer and songwriter Dave Barnes and motivational speaker Joe White.

Barnes was introduced to thunderous cheering and played two songs to begin the night.

Then speaker Joe White presented his message and asked concert-goers to take an “imagination journey” to meet “a guy you never met.”

White used video and music to tell the story of Jesus Christ. During one important moment, he entered the auditorium carrying a log onto the stage and began to chip away at it, portraying an ancient Roman cross builder who built the cross Jesus was crucified on.

He ended his speech by asking the audience to write down something they needed to give up to become pure. When they were done writing it down, they were able to bring it to the stage and have it nailed to the cross.

Many attendees were in tears and holding hands as they slowly made their way to the front of the stage where their cards were nailed.

White received a standing ovation after his speech concluded.

Henderson freshman Suzanne Smith said she has been to Christian concerts before, but tonight’s was one she wouldn’t easily forget.

“I’ve never seen a drama like that,” she said. “It put everything in a whole new perspective. It definitely made me think about my life and what I need to do to improve it.”

Campbellsburg junior Cameran Smith said she respected and appreciated how creative White was with his message.

She liked the way White portrayed Christ’s death by giving listeners the account through the eyes of a humble Roman cross maker.

Chris Kinney, a sophomore from Louisville, has been working since last summer to bring AfterDark to WKU. He has served as a student representative for the event.

He said he was “blown away” by the show and number of people who came out and hopes it impacted everyone who came.

“We want people to enjoy it but we want them to bring something out here,” he said. “If they came and had a good time than that’s great, but we want them to leave with something.”