The Pentecostal celebration held Saturday, May 10, 2008 was surely blessed.While this event was in the beginning planning stages, we realized that Easter being so early this year, Pentecost was also going to fall early in the spring. Starkdale’s prayer warriors were asked to begin praying for a rain free day. As the weeks flew by, our eyes turned to the local meteorologist forecast that called for rain all week. Low and behold, God blessed us with a sunny, windy, mild temperature day for the gospel fest. Sunday, the rain started again. The only thing that fell upon us Saturday was the Holy Spirit.
The day began bright and early for the Starkdale Presbyterian Church Gospel Fest taskforce by preparing for what they hoped would be a day full of music, fellowship and fun. They were not disappointed.The City of Steubenville street department closed off Third Street, allowing the area churches to set up their booths for the day.
Churches and organizations who set up on Third Street were the Apostolic Gospel Church, Blessed Sacrament Church, Cove Presbyterian Church, the Crisagos Brothers, Crossroads Christian Church, First Westminster Presbyterian Church, Follansbee Church of God, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, New Horizons Community Church, New Life Ministry, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Urban Mission, vineyard Church of Wheeling, Word of Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Richmond United Methodist, Wintersville Church of Christ and Starkdale Presbyterian Church. They had on hand things the festival goers could purchase or receive for free including nut rolls to baklava, bottled water, jewelry, cookies, candy, flowers and much more.As the churches arrived and set up their booths, you could feel the excitement growing in anticipation of what ended up being a wonderful day.The festival it’s self was free to anyone who wished to come, however, monetary gifts and canned goods were accepted which was donated to the Urban Missions.
The day began at 1:00P.M. with The Word of Life Singers lifting their voices in praise. Their opening song was complemented by a balloon launch. The 500 red balloons all carried the Valley Gospel Fest 2008 information and Starkdale’s phone number. Calls have been received from as far away as Virginia from finders of the balloons.
The program went like clock work with music coming from The Aliquippa Church in the Round Gospel Choir conducted by Curtis Lewis, Sr., Jonathan White, The Season’s and three time Grammy Award winner, Ashley Cleveland.Food vendors were onsite offering everything from gelato and hot dogs to pulled pork sandwiches and ribs to over 1,000 people who attended. Red fireworks brought the day’s events to an end.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all that were a part of this first Valley Gospel Fest and those who attended. Without the following groups this would not have been possible:
Community Foundation of Jefferson County Glory to Christ Fund
Trinity Health Systems
Historic Fort Steuben Board of Directors
Center of Music and Art
M & M Hardware
Kroger’s
Reisbeck’s
Atlas Gas
City of Steubenville
Keith Murdock, emcee
Dan Wood
Last but not least, the congregation of Starkdale Presbyterian Church
