A Veterans Challenge Gospel Fest will be held from 3-9 p.m. Saturday at the former Expressions/Brody's building at Vernon Park Mall.
The Gospel Fest is a celebration of God and community, Debby Guthrie, director of the Veterans Challenge, said.
“We’re really excited because there’s so much talent in the area,” she said. “… If Kinston were the gospel capital, that would be a good thing to be known for.”
Performers include Living Waters Praise Team, Wings of Joy, Gospel Crusaders, EnterAction youth praise and dance team of Groundbreaker's Ministry and recording artists Aaron Banks of Yaheveh Concept and Eldress Lessette Kornegay.
Groups associated with veterans include Clay Johnson & the Gospel Sounds with veteran Ronnie Heinz; Air Force veteran and recording artist Darrius Shackleford, better known as “Shacky D”; 7-year-old Crystal Cheyenne and her church choir from Faith and Deliverance Church, pastored by Navy veteran John Flowers; and the Gospel Visionaires, including Vietnam veterans Frank Roberson and Lloyd Dove.
There will be a $1,000 cash drawing. The ticket holder must be present to win.
Kinston High School's champion girls and boy’s basketball teams are invited to attend at no cost.
Tickets for active duty military and veterans are $5. The general public will admitted for $6. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Veterans Challenge office (second door from DMV) or IFIXNC in the mall, or at the door.
Food, CD's and other memorabilia can be purchased at the event. There are plans to have future praise nights open to the general public from 6-9 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the same location.
A slide show and video will be made of the Gospel Fest. To see past local slide shows, visit veteranschallenge.org and click on the events to the left.
Half of the proceeds from the event will go to the costs of the event and half will provide funding for a future planned veterans pavilion in the former Expressions building.
Guthrie said she envisions a place for events such as the Gospel Fest, cookouts, games and activities for veterans.
“We consider veterans as anyone that’s been in the military,” she said.
The Veterans Challenge was founded in October 2011 by Guthrie and her daughter, Army Staff Sgt. Charity Hilterbrand Smith, to assist veterans with their needs.
Their mission is to “advocate and promote the general welfare and prosperity of U.S.military veterans by providing training, assistance and referrals for vets and immediate family members,” according to their website.
The agency’s priority goal is to have a camp for combat post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health symptoms, Guthrie said.
“There are so many needs with mental health and suicide,” she said.
Guthrie said an anonymous donor is seeking the family of a deployed service member with home repair needs and a son who has stepped up to be the man of the house. If that story fits your family, send an email to info@operationhomefront.net.
The Veterans Challenge office in the mall is available for appointments for veterans assistance from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call for information or an appointment at 252-933-3540.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box:
What: Veterans Challenge Gospel Fest
When: 3-9 p.m., Saturday
Where: Vernon Park Mall, former Expressions/Brody's building
Cost: Veterans, active duty $5, general public, $6, children 12 and under free
Tickets: Veterans Challenge (second door from DMV) or IFIXNC in the mall, or at the door
For information: Call the Veterans Challenge, 252-933-3540