By: Ellie Simmers | Editor-in-Chief
Students and community members listen to Oceanic perform outside Hopwood Hall. | 434 Visuals
On Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, the steps of Hopwood Hall at the University of Lynchburg looked a little different. Instead of students filing past each other to and from classes, lights, speakers and instruments lined the steps as local nonprofit Love Heals and on-campus group Lynchburg Cares teamed up and put on a benefit concert.
Courtney Green never intended to start a nonprofit, but when one of her friends was diagnosed with breast cancer and facing insurmountable medical bills, it was a no-brainer for her to connect with members of her community and put together a benefit concert. This is where Love Heals was born.
“What was meant to be a one-time benefit concert became a bigger mission to help others share their stories, be celebrated and heard, and to meet tangible needs,” said Green, who has been partnering with individuals, artists, venues and businesses since 2018 to bring these events to life.
Headlining this event was Charlotte, N.C.-based band Oceanic. The group is composed of lead singer Nathan Wyatt, bassist Sam Goodwin and electric guitarist Jacob Johnson. The three first met in Lynchburg and have now amassed over 130,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and just wrapped up their North American tour.
This wasn’t the first time they teamed up with Love Heals. Wyatt explained that during their time in Lynchburg, they became friends with people involved with the nonprofit.
“Oceanic played our very first show for my friend fighting breast cancer and volunteered their time for every show we had after that until they relocated,” said Green, praising not only the band’s talent but their commitment to their community.
For Oceanic, this goes deeper than just playing a benefit concert. This directly ties back to what is at the heart of their music.
“We’ve always been in the business of wanting to connect with you,” explained Goodwin. “That’s the fun part. The shared experience of life and being at a concert together is something we take a lot of pride in. It’s something you’re experiencing.”
Oceanic lead singer Nathan Wyatt performing on Sept. 4, 2026. | 434 Visuals 
Sign at benefit concert featuring information about Lynchburg Cares and Love Heals 
Courtney Green, founder of Love Heals, speaking outside Hopwood Hall. | 434 Visuals 
The Rev. Dr. Nathan Albert, who serves as University Chaplain and Assistant Vice President of Belonging speaking at the event. | 434 Visuals
As the message of “love healing all wounds” hung over the whole evening and the Lynchburg community came together, the need behind the event was not put to the side, but rather emphasized.
“Our healthcare system has been placing people into hard positions for quite some time now. It’s been tough to hear people share about a health crisis that has them close to losing their home because they can’t afford rent and treatment,” said Green, noting the work that will need to be done structurally for events like the ones Love Heals holds to not be necessary.
Working alongside Love Heals to put on the concert was Lynchburg Cares, a crisis fund that offers financial support to members of the university community in times of need. It is funded solely by employees of University of Lynchburg and student contributions.
The Rev. Dr. Nathan Albert, who serves as University Chaplain and Assistant Vice President of Belonging spoke at the event, where he shared testimonies of previous Hornets that have received assistance from this fund.
“Assistance in the past has included assisting with mortgage and rent, medical bills, utility bills, food, clothing and more,” explained Albert.
For the three members of Oceanic, community has and will always be at the root of who they are.
“The more you know about community, the more you observe, the more you meet people and communicate, the more you learn and the better you can love others and the better person you can be,” said Wyatt.
As things continue to become more expensive and people become increasingly divided, groups like Love Heals, Lynchburg Cares and Oceanic serve as a reminder of the importance of collaboration and kindness.
For more information about Love Heals and their upcoming events, visit http://www.weareloveheals.org/.
For members of University of Lynchburg in need of assistance, visit the Spiritual Life Center at 500 Brevard St, Lynchburg, VA 24501.
