Christian Embassy Church will host its 2016 Harvest Fest September 16-18 at the church, located at 13775 Old Jamestown Rd. in Black Jack, and the adjacent Harold J Evangelista Park. Robert S. Griffin is senior pastor and Cheryl Griffin is first lady. Harvest Fest is the church’s annual fundraiser and community outreach event dedicated to benefiting worthy causes.
The beneficiaries of this year’s Harvest Fest – the 12th annual for the non-denominational church which teaches that “God’s love and promises are for us today and always” – is Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH).
CWAH provides basic needs items (clothing, furniture, food, bedding, and household items) to low- to moderate-income families. Agency programs include the Show-Me-Series travel experience, Institute for the Advancement of Jazz Study &Performance, Student Enrichment Summer Program, Transitional Housing Program for Responsible Home Ownership, Parent Opportunity Program, and job readiness classes.
“Our parishioners are excited to join CWAH in raising much-needed funds for this vital community-wide initiative,” said Pastor Griffin.
Festival events:
7 p.m. Friday, September 16 – “Intentional Circumstances” theatrical production. An encore presentation, directed by Andre Hewitt, is being brought back by popular demand.
Saturday, September 17
8 a.m. – Registration begins for the 9 a.m. 5K run/walk at the new walking trail surrounding the lakes located on 36 beautiful acres of the Christian Embassy Church Kingdom Complex.
10 a.m. – Opening ceremonies kick off with the Black Jack Mayor Norm McCourt, the singing of the national anthem and rising of the American flag by the City of Black Jack Fire Department.
10:15 a.m. -4 p.m. – Enjoy horseback and paddleboat rides, inflatables, music, delicious food, fishing, vendors, carnival-type games and old fashioned ‘family reunion’ games, hay rides and other fun-filled activities. Spinning classes highlight the fitness segment.
5 p.m. – Harvest Moon Fest hosted by the City of Black Jack in Harold J Evangelista Park next to the Christian Embassy Church Complex with music, inflatables, food and fun.
8:30 p.m. – The festivities conclude with a fireworks show.
9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 18 – The Harvest Fest weekend culminates with a worship service at Christian Embassy Church.
Christian Embassy Church has donated thousands of dollars to area charities through its Harvest Fest celebrations. Previous Harvest Fest beneficiaries include the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Build A Body Kid’s Fitness, Inc., James S. McDonnell USO, Kingdom House, Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, Wings of Hope, Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, Backstoppers, Inc., Focused Marines Foundation and the Fathers’ Support Center of St Louis.
For more information about the 12th Annual Christian Embassy Church Harvest Fest, visit http://www.harvestfest2016.info. For more information about Community Women Against Hardship, visit http:/www.cwah.org/.
