Published: September 05, 2008 02:25 am            

Church hosting free youth event Saturday

PALESTINE — While the congregation of Hillcrest World Harvest Church never boasts large numbers, its ability to make things happen in this community — like Saturday’s Fire in the Altar youth rally — is no small thing.

The church’s youth group, guided by youth pastor Cindy Callaway, is hosting the free, city-wide rally at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center. The event features music groups Crabb Revival (with local guitarist/vocalist Zachary Smith) and the up-and-coming Christian groups Austins Bridge and Set Free.

“Crabb Revival is only about a year old and came out of the popular Crabb Family group,” Callaway said. “Austins Bridge was nominated for three Dove (Christian music) Awards and Set Free has just finished recording their first album.”

Also part of the event will be “Pastor Brent” of Virginia-based War Cry Ministries.

“Brent was involved in a car accident and made a ‘deal’ with God that if he survived, he would give his life to the Lord,” Callaway said. “He really knows how to get down to a teen’s level in sharing his story with them.”

The church’s vision for Fire in the Altar began with its youth group of about 16 members, Callaway said, who attended a similar event earlier this year and wanted to do something like it for students in their hometown.

“In February, I took the kids to Arlington for the Winterfest rally,” Callaway explained. “The kids were moved by their experience there and decided to see about bringing that same experience to teen-agers in the Palestine area.

“We have had people from all over Texas, like Dallas and Austin, calling for details about the rally,” she added. “They just could not believe something like this was free.”

A core group of six teen-agers from Hillcrest have been dedicated to making the rally happen, Callaway said, turning every activity into a fund-raiser so the event could be free for everyone.

“I am so proud of them,” she said. “We have most of the money raised and feel like the rest will be taken care of through concession and booth sales at the event itself.”

Callaway reported that while she expects to see the 1,300-seat Civic Center filled to capacity, a packed house is not as important as impacting attendees spiritually.

“It is my desire to have every teen see that there is more out there for them than drugs, etc.,” Callaway said. “I want these kids to come to God and to see that He is what makes life worthwhile.

“I want to see them get on fire for God.”

Doors for the rally will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, with a jam session held from 5 to 6 p.m. There will be drama presented by the Hillcrest Church Jesus Freaks, as well as prizes and a T-shirt booth.

Hillcrest World Harvest Church is located at 1907 S. Sycamore St. in Palestine, across from Treehouse Apartments. For more information about the church or youth rally call 903-724-1203, 903-723-3149 or 903-394-0394.

Don Mattern Sr. is the pastor and Debra Mattern is the co-pastor.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

        

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