It’s been a decade since Chris Tomlin launched Good Friday Nashville. What started as a special Good Friday service in his newly adopted hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after he and his family relocated from Atlanta to Franklin, has evolved into the longest-running annual charity-related concert in Bridgestone Arena’s history. Yearly proceeds now go toward For Others, the nonprofit Tomlin and his wife, Lauren, founded in 2019 to combat the child welfare crisis in the United States.
The inaugural event, held in 2017, was a massive leap of faith for the hitmaker and his team. They believed in the premise so much, they went out on a limb and booked seven consecutive Good Fridays at Bridgestone Arena — Nashville’s largest indoor venue — before they sold a single ticket. Breaking attendance records each year, Good Friday Nashville has quickly become a beloved tradition. The event even continued virtually via livestream in 2020 and 2021 when in-person gatherings were paused during the global pandemic.
Throughout the years, Tomlin’s surprise guests have become a hallmark of the night with the Texas native welcoming an array of noteworthy friends, including Phil Wickham, Lauren Daigle, Katy Nichole and author and pastor Max Lucado; as well as country A-listers like Lady A, Luke Bryan and Rascal Flatts, among others. The 10-year milestone was no exception. This year, Tomlin treated the sold-out crowd of more than 16,000 people to performances from Brooke Ligertwood, Michael W. Smith, Dwan Hill and The Choir Room and country chart-topper Jordan Davis. Additionally, pastor, author and speaker David Nasser presented a message of hope. Meanwhile, Tomlin shared signature hits from his expansive catalog alongside new material from his most recent project, “The King Is Still The King.” The entire concert aired exclusively on K-LOVE and Air1 radio stations across the country.
With Good Friday Nashville, Tomlin is attempting to do more than simply entertain. His goal is to create a space where people from all walks of life can gather under the banner of the cross to genuinely experience both the weight and the joy that accompany the significance behind Good Friday. The chance to help vulnerable children across the nation, in turn, has made the event more impactful than even Tomlin could dream.
“Thank you to all who have been a part of Good Friday Nashville — this year and the last 10 years: All the surprise guests, everyone listening in on [the] radio, the team, Bridgestone Arena, and all the people who have joined in person,” Tomlin shared, expressing his gratitude across his social platforms following the event. “Spending this night together each year, all streams of the Church, is one of my greatest privileges. There’s something about Good Friday…remembering the cross, the incredible love, mercy, grace and forgiveness of Jesus. When we come together to remember, how could we not worship? For 10 years now, it has become a tradition for so many people, so many families, including my own. I am excited for year 11.”
Tickets for the 11th installment are already on sale and moving fast at www.goodfridaynashville.com. Good Friday Nashville 2027 is set for Mar. 26, 2027; and once again, proceeds from the evening will benefit children in foster care through For Others.
