Jammin’ for Jesus South Praise Fest draws half of Fort Deposit population

by Tonya Powell and Regina Jones

What single event can draw more than half the population of the Fort Deposit community? Jammin’ for Jesus South Praise Fest can. Bethlehem Christian Church and the Edgewood Tutorial Plus Center (ETPC) put on the event held Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Fort Deposit Community Park. More than 700 people  participated and enjoyed the food, fun and fellowship. 

The children enjoyed a moon walk, face painting, music, a karate  demonstration, and a water balloon battle.  Various booths were set up throughout the park to address dental and dietary health, education and job training, and spirituality.

There was plenty of food and drinks on hand for everyone. The menu consisted of Barbecue Chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, fried chicken, fish, hamburgers and hot dogs. With temperatures soaring in the upper 90’s, many people enjoyed the snow cones, pop corn and ice cold beverages.    

Bethlehem and ETPC spent more than $6,000, but the total amount of money distributed into the community was about $15,000.     Sponsors     from

Lowndes, Montgomery, Jefferson, and Monroe Counties all helped make the event possible through generous donations allowing 380 book bags to be distributed.

“This event serves an important role in meeting the needs of the community by assisting parents with the cost of school supplies,” says Pastor Bennie Stanford.  “There is often much conversation about helping children; however, we seem so reluctant to get involved when God moves to address their needs.  We need to recognize that this event is one that God is using to address the needs of our children and support it wholeheartedly.”

The planning committee worked on this event for months and was instrumental in soliciting the donations needed to support it.  This was a total faith project lead by an awesome, dedicated women of God, Linda Body.  Under her leadership, the event has grown each year.

 “As I look back over PraiseFest 2007 Jammin for Jesus South I realized there are a lot of things to be thankful for,” Linda Body said. “First and foremost, I thank God for giving our pastor the vision for this praise fest and a desire to help people in and around Lowndes County. I thank our pastor, the church board and ETPC for the trust shown to the planning committee to carry out this large  outreach ministry. I also thank the planning committee and volunteers for their hard work and selfless dedication.”

Also represented this year were more than seven churches.

Next year’s event is sure to be even better than this years’. The planning committee is already preparing and gearing up for another dynamic move of God.  In all the event was a success and many youth are prepared for the upcoming school year with supplies and a book bag.