Saddleback Church’s Radicalis 2011 under way

The Crave Band., led by Zack Barker and Dominik Michalzik, leads the college ministry at Saddleback Church. With more than 30 college students, the band leads three services a week reaching more than 600 students.

The festival runs from 9 a.m. to midnight. Tickets can be purchased on site, 29251 Camino Capistrano.

Radicalis 2011 kicked off what will be an annual event for 20-somethings, Rick Warren said. There will also be monthly Radicalis events at the Rancho Capistrano property.

"The Green family heard what we were going to do here," Rick Warren said about the Rancho Capistrano property. "Ten days ago they gave us the entire property for free."

Radicalis is about being rooted. Pastor Rick Warren said uprooting poverty, illness, disease and illiteracy should be the mission.

Kay Warren inspired the crowd. "We use 'love' to cover everything," she said. "If someone used 'beloved' that's special. We are beloved to God.

Radicalis 2011 is the kick-off to a nationwide event planned to bring thousands to the Rancho Capistrano campus.

“Radicalis, is the Latin word for radical," pastor Rick Warren explained. "People think it means extreme, hip or unusual. But it comes from rooted. You are rooted It means rooting our lives in Jesus Christ and in our forever church family. It means uprooting poverty, illiteracy, disease and injustice.”

In Western Rwanda, the PEACE plan is equipping 520 churches to distribute basic healthcare to their communities.

"They are the five global giants are the most devastating problems in the world. Spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadershio, extrem povery, pnademic disease and illiteracy," pastor Rick Warren said.

Ana Griese, of Mission Viejo, prayed with Kay Warren. "I hope they really believe God loves them and that they live in the light of love. If you believe the creator of the universe loves you, it changes how you look at the world."

Stephanie Barker led vocals for most of the songs played by the Crave Band. She said, she and Zack Barker were married at the Rancho Capistrano property.

Zack Barker is also a worship leader at the Rancho Capistrano campus. Dominik Michalzik is the weekend worship leader at Saddleback's Lake Forest campus.

“I had a dream, a vision that we, with other churches, could create a premier, global-shaking mission event that could change the world,” Rick Warren told an enthusiastic crowd spilled across the lawn in front of a large outdoor stage.

"If you understand what's in God's heart, it will change your life," Kay Warren said.

Kay Warren announced that data from UNICEF released last week said there were 163 million orphans in the world. She encouraged students to consider becoming adoptive parents once they were married.

Students embraced Rick and Kay Warrens' messages. Music filled the outdoor venue and fun continued late into the night with a DJ and dancing. There were also late night snacks and coffee available for those who camped overnight.

Kevin Tudball, of Santa Cruz, was one of hundreds who turned out for the kick-off night. The festival will run through Saturday. Admission is $45.

Jonny Dolan, of Tustin, wants to take advantage of some of the artwork on display at the festival. Many students are choosing to camp overnight in tents located on soccer fields at the Rancho Capistrano property.

Dani Siems, 21, from Aliso Viejo, said she came to learn how to change the world. "I want to develop relationships with people and connect with different cultures on different levels something people in Orange County don't get to do much. This conference is about peope who want to help in all differnt ways. The goals are the same but we come from different perspectives.

Kelsey Reinert, 17, of Newport Beach and Matt Wilson, 17, of Laguna Niguel came to see what the conference was about. "We came to feel the vibe and learn about helping others," Wilson said. He added that he came at the request of Reinert, his girlfriend.

Katie Whittemore, 20, from Rancho Santa Margarita. She came to find out about different ways to help people. She said she's helped build houses in Mexico and volunteered at local libraries.

Katya Cole, 19, from Coto De Caza said she was inspired to learn about helping orphans. She said she was adopted from an orphanage in Russia when she was 6-years-old. "I have a passion for helping others after struggling in a hard life."

Students came from all over Southern California. One even came from Alabama. Next year, Warren said, he'll make the invitation national.

Pastor Rick Warren talked about the techniques he used to bring people to Jesus in the Woodstock-era. He said he'd lie in a coffin on the street and say to people, "Do you know where you'll go when you die?"