What is David's Tent?
A Public Worship Gathering
David’s Tent DC is a gathering place for the Church of America to publicly worship Jesus from the highest point of our nation – the grounds of the White House. We are inspired by King David, who pitched a tent near his palace and hired more than 4,000 worshipers to minister to the Lord there continually throughout David’s 33 year reign. David made worship central for his nation, and it brought blessing on the whole nation. In like manner, the cry of our hearts is to minister to the Lord, day and night, in worship from our Capital City. The same presence of the Lord that was in the Ark is now in us as the body of Christ! Our desire is to make a statement to our generation that Jesus is Lord and should be enthroned above every area of our lives and nation. Psalm 22:3 states, “Yet you are holy, O you who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.”
David’s Tent is about defining a culture that is centered around publicly honoring Jesus. We want to see worship in public spaces become the norm, not a special event. Amos 9:11 speaks of the restoration of the fallen Tent of David, meaning that a descendant of David would once again be on the throne. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who has been crowned King of the Ages! David’s Tent DC is a national confession that Jesus is Lord of America and that we receive Him as such.
A new normal is being set—that America’s capital city will be known as the place where the nation gathers to worship Jesus, just as Jerusalem was known as the gathering place for worshipers in David’s day (Psalm 122:1-5). We see a generation rising that is jealous to see Jesus exalted in the highest places of our culture. The thousands of worshipers from all 50 states who gather here each year are helping this new mindset take root, centering our city and nation on Jesus.
David’s Tent DC is a celebration of Jesus’ forgiveness and love. The focus is not in turning from our sin, but rather in turning to the Lord Jesus! By doing the latter, we will accomplish the former. Let us turn our eyes to Jesus! We invite every American to make a pilgrimage to DC and worship Jesus with us. We plead with other nations to join us as well and help us honor God as we should!
Year One – 2012
Davids Tent DC was pioneered in the fall of 2012 with 40 days of continuous praise on the White House Ellipse. The vision was initially a smaller event at a local park in DC called “McPherson Square.” When the National Park Service (NPS) suggested we do David’s Tent on the White House Ellipse, the planners of David’s Tent immediately knew it was a “God Moment.” God was beckoning to America that He was jealous to be at the center of our attention, not just a side-show.
According to the NPS, they had never given a permit for more than 14 days on the National Mall, yet they granted David’s Tent a 45-day permit. It was clear that in the midst of the enemy coming in like a flood in America, God had created an opening for his church. It was an opportunity that the church of America had to run to. And they did. The call went out, “Just Praise for 40 days,” and 167 worship teams responded with over 10,000 participants that first year. David’s Tent DC 2012 was a huge success, even in the midst of Hurricane Sandy! We relocated during the hurricane, without the song breaking, to Faith Tabernacle, a church on Capitol Hill one block from the Supreme Court. After four days, we returned out to the White House Ellipse.
David’s Tent DC 2012 was incredible witness to the light and love of Jesus. The 40-day staff of David’s Tent did a great job becoming part of the community and culture of the NPS and Secret Service security staff that we interacted with every day. Coming and going every day for 40 days is plenty of time to become friends with those that work on site keeping a perimeter of protection around the President. It was actually a staff member for the NPS who was the first to suggest to us that we should make David’s Tent DC an annual event.
Year Two – 2013
The spring of 2013 came with a huge decision for the David’s Tent DC team. Do we in fact do this again? This wasn’t election year; would the Church of America still respond to the call? Was the incredible response of 2012 primarily “election-urgency driven” or was it in fact driven by “the worthiness of Jesus to receive the offering?” No man can judge the motives of others hearts, so the David’s Tent DC team simply had to again hear from the Lord. Do we take up the commission to make this an annual event? The bottom line was that we had permission again from the NPS to do it, and Jesus was still just as worthy of the offering in 2013 as he was in 2012. We went for it, believing that David’s Tent wasn’t just a one year event, but something that is to become a part of America’s Culture. This is just who we are now.The church of America passed another test. A new normal was set for America in 2013. 194 worship teams showed up in 2013, even more than in 2012! Shortly after David’s Tent started, the federal government shut down. The first things to be closed were the National Parks–including the national mall area and White House Ellipse. You may remember there were news stories of World War II Veterans not being allowed to visit the closed memorial that had been made to honor them. Amazingly though, David’s Tent DC was allowed to continue without missing a beat. The government of America closed, but the tent of worship to Jesus kept blazing!
Year Three – 2014
The astounding truth is this: David’s Tent DC was born out of a miracle. It has remained standing as miracle. The NPS has not only given us a 50 day permit for 2014, but has even indicated they would consider up to 120 days in the future! For whatever reason, in a time when religious liberties are in jeopardy and there seems to be an attack on Christianity in the public square, God has made a way! We don’t take this for granted, but lean into it with all our might. We have a permit to do this for yet another year. Let’s go for it! We beckon you again to come and run into this breach with us, waving our banners high to Jesus! Every year is a miracle! 2014 will be, too. Who knows what will happen? Can you see the twinkle in our Father’s Eye? Come and make History with us! To our knowledge no nation has done this in their capital city since King David in 1000 B.C.
Yet David did it 365 days a year for 33 years… There’s always room to grow! David’s Tent could just as well be called ‘The Jesus Tent.” It’s possible because of Jesus’ devotion, not David’s. That is the motivator of this love response! For 2014 we are expanding the tent from 40 days to 50 days. 50 days for 50 states! We want to encourage all 50 states to adopt a day, rally worship teams from your state, and come to DC to represent your state (like Congress does!) in worship before the Lord. Pennsylvania pioneered this for us in 2013. They gathered worship teams from all over the state, adopted a day, and assembled together as a “House of Representatives” from Pennsylvania for a day of worship in DC. Those fireballs from the Keystone state got six different worship teams from across the state to each take a 2 hour watch, back to back, from sunrise to sunset. For Pennsylvania’s grand finale at the end of the day, they came together with the drummer from one team, keyboard player from another, and so on, making a united team to worship Jesus on behalf of their state. We wanted to make that opportunity available for all 50 states. Check out this scripture: Zech 14:16-19. Is Jesus calling you to be the coordinator for your state? Say “Yes!” and email us and we can counsel you through that process. worship@davidstentdc.org.
Worship Sets Schedule
As the 50 day event draws closer we will be publishing a weekly schedule for what’s happening at David’s Tent. A great way to stay in touch with the day to day is by following Becca’s Blog.
Did You Know?
There are several other David’s Tent worship events happening around the country this year. And even one in the United Kingdom. Stay tuned as we help support those events. We all serve the same King! We would love to see a David’s Tent event in every state in America. Jesus deserves no less!
David's Tent Documentary
The best way to really catch the pulse of David’s Tent and infect your friends is to watch the Story of David’s Tent. Check it out HERE.
Worship Leaders: Lend Your Voice!
This year we have set aside 50 days for continuous worship. That’s one day for every state in the Union! We need worship leaders from each and every state to organize bands to come from your state! How many sets can you fill from your state this year? Get in touch with us and we will help you get it organized! Contact our worship coordinator HERE.
Don't Be Shy. Get In Touch.
If you are interested in working with us, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!