I saw U2 in L.A. on their Vertigo Tour in 2006. Bono’s passionate appeal to join the ONE Campaign moved me join the fight against global poverty and AIDS. During the past three years I’ve remained involved with the ONE Campaign in many ways. I also encouraged our congregation to take action as well. So I was curious what U2 would do to promote the ONE Campaign this time around, especially considering the global recession.

On the way into the concert I stopped by the ONE Campaign HQ. There were lots of ONE volunteers going around with notebook computers encouraging people to join ONE. They were also taking photos of people kissing for ONE’s “Kiss the Future” campaign, kinda cheesy if you ask me. The photos are displayed on the round video screens at the end of all the concerts.

During the concert U2 approached the issues from a much different angle than I expected. The challenges to end poverty and AIDS were absent, instead Bono did a monologue about the difference the ONE Campaign has made for millions of people in Africa. He thanked Chicagoans for their part in making it happen, starting with Pastor Bill Hybels. U2 disappeared and a video segment opened with a speech from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You can see it here at ONE’s On the Road with U2.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we’re going to continue to mobilize people to action for Africa in the midst of the political-economic turmoil we are facing as a nation. It’s hard to talk about people dying across the ocean when people are loosing their homes across the street. Ok … I know, there’s no comparison. Still I’ve been wondering if the momentum for change may be slipping away. I think U2 sensed this trend and decided to focus on the good rather than the bad for the 360 Tour. For a nation where so many seem to be struggling financially, their approach was filled with hope and promise. Something we all need a little more of right now.