BROCKWAY, Pa. (EYT) – Three years ago, a group in Brockway saw a need for a Christian concert event at the American Legion Stage in Taylor Memorial Park.
What started as a need has now become an annual event, combining local acts with headlining Christian musicians.
The Annual Awaken Concert is a free event, running on August 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The plan is to hold it outdoors at the Legion Stage, but a rain location will be announced closer to the show if the forecast looks unfavorable.
Shelli Young helps coordinate Awaken and said that the mission has not changed year after year.
“Our message is quite simple and remains the same for every year,” she said. “This concert is for everyone. If you are a seasoned Christian, a new Christian, or have yet to come to know Jesus – you are welcome. We pray that the hurting would be restored, the broken made stronger, the lost would be found, and the strong would surround and lift up those around them. The message is just Jesus.”
The lineup for 2019 starts with the Tri-County Church Worship Team. Then, A Day Awaits takes the stage followed by Alisa Turner. The Allan Scott Ban sets the stage for Building 429 to cap off the evening.
2005 Dove Award Winner for New Artist of the Year, Building 429 takes its name from the text of Ephesians 4:29. They will travel from Michigan to Brockway and then to Illinois in August. The band started in North Carolina and has recently released its latest album, “Live The Journey,” on Essential Records.
For Young, the bands are just one reason for her to get excited about Awaken.
“There are many things we look forward to each year.
“The most important ones would be touching people’s lives, providing an opportunity to worship and praise our Savior. But we also want to provide a way for people to come to know Jesus, offer hope, peace, and joy to all who come. It is so exciting to watch everything come together and the Holy Spirit become real.”
Young personally looks forward to ministering to the bands and the volunteers. Awaken has many volunteers that keep the concert going. The first year had 80 people in attendance, but Year Two skyrocketed to around 500 people. Young said that the event couldn’t have been a success without the involvement of volunteers.
“We could not continue Awaken without Christ, the volunteers, and all those who donate,” she said. “Awaken is a huge undertaking. We first rely on Christ to open doors for us and provide a way to continue this ministry. However, we also rely on donations!”
The larger crowd means that the group had to hire a professional sound crew to make sure the audio is crystal clear.
The Awaken Committee – comprised of Shelli and her husband Terry Young, as well as Patti Wilson and Tim and Terry Britton – needs to schedule the next show by November, so the funds raised do not just go to the current show. The group does its own fundraising, sending letters to local businesses and churches. In this way, the hometown Christian concert is also hometown funded.
“Brockway businesses and churches, as well as the surrounding communities, have been so great in their support and donations,” Young said.
“We greatly appreciate any donations.”
Donations or more information about Awaken can be handled through the Awaken Facebook page.
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