by Marc and Julie Anderson
mjanderson@theleaven.org
WAMEGO — It’s not every day you win a free concert from “one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers.”
But that’s what happened to the youth group of St. Bernard Parish in Wamego when 11 members of the youth group and Amy Schwein, the director of religious education, participated in the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) held Nov. 20-22 in Indianapolis.
On the second day of the conference, youth ministers were encouraged to send a text to be entered for a chance to win a free concert by Catholic performer Joe Melendrez.
Schwein sent the text. But then, overcoming her usually shy nature, she managed to work her way to Melendrez’s merchandise table, where she found Melendrez himself.
“I introduced myself,” said Schwein, “and said, ‘I’m anxiously awaiting my free concert.’ He said, ‘What?’
“I said, ‘I’m Amy. I’m from the small town of Wamego. I’m a youth minister, so I sent the text. And I’m anxiously awaiting your free concert.’”
Melendrez then suggested the two take a picture together, after which he started asking Schwein questions about her ministry.
The answers led to a surprise.
“Amy, let’s just do this,” Melendrez told Schwein. “Let’s make this happen.’”
Not understanding what he meant, Schwein admits her initial confusion until he clarified that he was awarding her a free concert.
One of the only stipulations was that it had to be held in December due to his schedule.
By Monday, Nov. 24, the deal was done.
“When it’s the Holy Spirit and you’ve given your yes, you just have to hang on,” Schwein said of the whirlwind speed at which the concert was scheduled.
A few weeks before the concert, Melendrez joined a phone call with St. Bernard’s youth group during which he gave the kids a mission to pray for the concert, to invite a friend and to pray for that friend.
Held at Wamego High School on Dec. 30, the concert (one of two given away by Melendrez) drew youth from across the area and featured Catholic artists DJ Code and Hannah Graziadei who joined Melendrez for some of his songs but also performed some of their own. Throughout the evening, Melendrez shared in its entirety his latest album, “Ghost Town,” for only the second time since its completion in late December. The album drops later this month.
“You think of a ghost town as empty, but what about a Holy Ghost town? What about a town filled with the Holy Spirit?” Melendrez asked.
“So, everywhere I go, I want to become a Holy Ghost town,” he continued. “So, Wamego, I want to become a Holy Ghost town. The people that come are marked by God. They leave wanting to share Jesus with their people.”
Schwein shared her thoughts as the concert began.
“We didn’t come here for a show. We came here for an encounter,” she said. “We’re getting ready to encounter Jesus Christ right here in this room. . . . We’re going to feel the Holy Spirit moving.”
That might have been an understatement.
From Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven” performed by Graziadei to the Christian hip-hop and rap styles of Melendrez’s “Chosen” and “Come Holy Spirit,” the 90-minute concert was filled with energy and what Melendrez terms “holy noise for Jesus.”
At one point, he instructed the crowd to scream for the Holy Spirit.
“If you’re two years old or 95 years old, I want you screaming, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ and I want you jumping,” he said.
A few times, DJ Code and Melendrez invited audience members onstage. Later, audience members were invited to share their own testimonies after Melendrez shared how his life changed at age 15 when he attended a retreat. Now, he tries to honor God in all he does.
“If you’re brushing your teeth or if you’re making Christmas cookies, I want you to do it for the Lord. Amen?” Melendrez asked the audience between two songs.
At the end, dancing, balloons and “holy noise” filled the auditorium as Melendrez offered a final word of praise for Jesus. Afterward, Melendrez signed autographs, took photos and chatted with concertgoers.
