Anchorage, Alaska's reputation for awe-inspiring vistas was matched by the singing of Feastgoers there who also gained a reputation.
A Russian immigrant attended services and some activities after hearing a song service, according to coordinator Leonard Holladay.
"A shopkeeper impressed by the singing asked our group to pray for her health and family problems," Mr. Holladay said. Several other new people also attended services.
A common refrain in Big Sandy, particularly from longtime members, was that this Festival was the most meaningful one they'd ever attended.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, was an open house site and several new people attended, according to coordinator Dennis Wheatcroft. Brethren donated food items to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Because of Hurricane Opal, the food bank had depleted its supplies sending aid to the Florida panhandle. Nearly 8,000 pounds of food and $7,598 were donated.
Dayton, Ohio, was an open house site, and a number of subscribers and others attended, according to coordinator Jim Roberts.
About 1,500 Feastgoers who planned to attend the Pensacola, Florida, site, which was closed because of damage caused by Hurricane Opal, joined brethren in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the Feast, said coordinator Steve Schantz.
Charles Chase, a deacon in the Melbourne, Florida, church, and his wife, Cathy, contacted Salvation Army officials the day after Hurricane Opal. Rather than sending volunteers to the damaged areas the Salvation Army suggested a monetary donation, which the Chases organized. Members donated $5,300.
In Daytona Beach, Ken Medford, a local church elder in the Fort Myers, Florida, church, and his wife, Tammy, organized a food drive that netted more than 12 tons of nonperishable food and necessity items for distribution by the Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM). HUM is an interfaith outreach ministry serving the Halifax area.
Midweek in the Festival, members were told by area supermarkets that members had purchased all available supplies of formula and baby diapers. Speaking on the behalf of HUM, Don Hughes thanked Feastgoers for their contribution and said they had donated in one week what would take HUM almost a year to collect.
Fort Worth, Texas, Feastgoers contributed $3,800 and about $800 in food and dry goods. In addition, members responding to a request made this summer, gave 120 crocheted and hand-stitched or hand-quilted baby blankets for infants of underprivileged mothers.
The contributions will be shared by The Bridge, a shelter for teenagers, and Women's Haven, a shelter for battered women.
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, "brethren generously contributed food supplies to Jackson House and the Salvation Army," said coordinator Allen Bullock. Contributions were also given to the Family Rescue Mission, which takes in the homeless.
At Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, brethren gave more than $7,000 to the Central Missouri Food Bank Network, said coordinator Ray Meyer.
Feastgoers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were treated to a spiritually enriching Festival, according to coordinator Greg Williams. "I was moved by the level of conviction of the speakers and their willingness to share their innermost feelings," he said. "It was inspiring to see the audience glued to the speaker desiring to be spiritually fed."
One member said, "We have had our heads involved in Christianity for a long time, now we are including our hearts."
In Niagara Falls, New York, "the Festival was the most `needed' Festival we have ever attended," said coordinator Gordon Graham. "During the past turbulent year, almost everyone had seen family members and friends leave our fellowship, felt the impact of declining church income and witnessed the loss of our pastor general to cancer."
For eight soothing and inspiring days the convention center was filled with a family that needed to spend time together. "We diligently went to work weaving ourselves into new support networks to replace the ones tattered and torn by events," he said. Festival speakers urged everyone to wrap themselves in Christ's grace and power. The end result was a wonderful time of emotional healing, Mr. Graham said.
In Pasadena the theme Festival of Faith was evident in the messages and members' conversation and activities, said coordinator Guy Ames. Brethren enjoyed cappuccino, espresso, juice and bagels on the Auditorium plaza before services.
Guest speaker Tom Lapacka gave a workshop about Sharing Your Faith. He said before a Christian can spread the gospel message to others a relationship must be developed. Therefore, Christians should use the natural relationships they develop to share their faith.
Hart Ranch, which puts on a rodeo for Rapid City, South Dakota, Feastgoers every year, gave a tribute to Joseph W. Tkach, cowboy style, with a riderless horse.
Rapid City Feastgoers had a successful KOTA Care and Share food drive. "KOTA made a great effort to publicize our contribution because they wanted members to know it is a much needed service to the community," said coordinator Tracey Rogers.
In Saratoga Springs, New York, women on the auditorium staff wrote, "The Festival is the highlight of the year here at the City Center!" according to coordinator Jim Rosenthal.
Brethren from as far as Australia and England gathered in Spokane, Washington, for the Feast. Wounds of the past year were healed as the salve of the Holy Spirit poured from the messages, workshops and fellowship, according to coordinator Glen Weber.
Convention hall staff remarked on the "change this year in your group." They commented on the friendly and more caring approach. A sound engineer who is the equivalent of a local church elder in the Dutch Presbyterian Church said: "You are to be commended for your teachings, even though there are less attending here as a result. You will grow in numbers again with your new message focused on Jesus Christ."
A tradition in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is the special music. People were seen wiping tears from their eyes as they were inspired by the uplifting beauty of the musical performances.
"With a clearer perspective of the new covenant, God has given us a new beginning," coordinator Walter Neufeld said. "The sentiments expressed by many were summed up by a woman, not a member of our fellowship, who, after visiting a worship service, brought a spontaneous offering to the information booth. She said, "This was so incredible that I had to give an offering--because it was so moving."
To say that the Festival of Faith '95 in Wisconsin Dells was a resounding success would be an understatement, he added. Thanks be to God for his love, and for the leadership provided by Jesus Christ--the head of the church.
Anchorage, Alaska ------------------ 256
Big Sandy
-------------------------- 667
Chattanooga, Tennessee
----------- 3,049
Dayton, Ohio ---------------------- 1,834
Daytona
Beach, Florida ----------- 5,600 *
Fort Worth, Texas -----------------
1,794
Hot Springs, Arkansas ------------- 3,150
Kona, Hawaii
----------------------- 475
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri -----
2,585
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ----- 7,356
Niagara
Falls, New York ---------- 2,709
Norfolk, Virginia ------------------
1,967
Palm Springs, California ----------- 2,998
Pasadena
-------------------------- 1,727
Rapid City, South Dakota ---------
1,824
Saratoga Springs, New York ----- 1,453
Seaside,
Oregon ----------------- 1,773
Spokane, Washington
--------------- 741
Vail, Colorado ---------------------
1,730
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin ------- 3,055
Amman, Jordan
---------------------- 145
*estimate
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