When Music Heals: How One Night with MercyMe at Amerant Bank Arena Left Us Uplifted and Renewed.

April 4th, 2025

This past Friday night, I felt renewed as I walked out of the Amerant Bank Arena after seeing MercyMe perform. My mom and I left after a full night of worship, reflecting on some of our favorite moments of the evening.

Together, we’ve seen several incredible Christian music artists, but we’ve never had a night quite like this. From the moment we walked to the venue and entered the building, we were met with warm smiles and sincere greetings. We were directed to our seats—so close, I felt like the band could actually hear us as we shouted our praise. The stage was simple but effective, allowing each band to execute quick set changes with great visual accompaniments that never overshadowed the message.

The night began with a performance by Sam Wesley, the eldest son of MercyMe’s lead singer. Though only 23, Sam has a clean, effortless voice that made it easy to believe he grew up in a musical family. One standout moment was his heartfelt performance of “Holding on to Me,” a song written for his recently deceased grandfather. It was a beautiful tribute that reminded everyone that, even in difficult times, we never walk alone.

Sam Wesley performs at Sunrise, FL’s Amerant Bank Arena. photo by Ron Elkman

Following Sam Wesley was Zach Williams. I wasn’t very familiar with his work, but my mom was incredibly excited to see him. While I recognized a few of his songs, I quickly grew to appreciate the rugged, soulful quality of his performance. Think of him as the Chris Stapleton of Christian music. Highlights included “Rescue Story” and a surprising cover of “Friends in Low Places,” during which he expertly played the harmonica while strumming his guitar. His bluesy, old-time vibe brought a comforting energy to the crowd.

Zach Williams performs at Sunrise, FL’s Amerant Bank Arena. photo by Ron Elkman

Finally, the headlining performance by MercyMe was nothing short of spectacular. They performed over ten songs—an impressive feat for any concert. I was amazed by how many of their songs I actually knew and could sing along to. A special highlight came when lead singer Bart Millard invited his son, Sam Wesley, back onstage for a touching duet of “On Our Way.” The set was filled with heartfelt prayer, moments of worship, and raw, personal stories from the band members.

MercyMe performs at Sunrise, FL’s Amerant Bank Arena. photo by Ron Elkman

If you’ve never attended a worship concert, you might not realize just how uplifting and transformative the experience can be—but that’s exactly how we felt. I left feeling loved, seen, and free to be myself. Sure, the concert ended a little later than I would’ve liked, and we grumbled about paying $8 for a bottle of water, but honestly, we had zero complaints. I’m so grateful we were able to experience such an unforgettable night, brought to life by three incredible artists.