Churches keep concert going
3rd annual benefit will help food bank
In an expression of unity, four area churches are holding a benefit concert for the third year in a row.
An offering taken up at the Community Thanksgiving Worship, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, will be given to Columbia County Cares, a food pantry supported by churches, schools and civic organizations and operated in cooperation with Golden Harvest Food Bank. The concert will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans.
"Every year, there is a collaborative group of churches that comes together for a community event," said the Rev. Rex E. Wright, the pastor of Oakey Grove Baptist Church in Evans, one of the churches participating in the event. "We've been having a pretty good turnout the last few years, and I've been thankful for that. Whatever is contributed is sent to Columbia County Cares."
The concert will feature a program by each of the four participating churches: Oakey Grove, Wesley, Mosaic United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Evans. Choirs and musical groups from each of the churches will be led by their music ministers in a miniature concert.
"Each music minister does a portion of the program," Wright said.
Carolyn Moore, the pastor of Mosaic United Methodist, will deliver this year's message. All the pastors will serve communion.
"When I first came to Evans, one of the things I knew was essential to being a pastor was to know other churches and pastors in the area," Wright said.
A few phone calls and meetings later, it was decided that a collaborative effort among area churches was a good idea.
"There's really no principled reason we should have apprehension at all to do this concert and other projects," Wright said. "As Christians, we can fellowship no matter what cultural backgrounds we come from."
After the concert, which typically lasts an hour or slightly longer, guests will be invited to stay for fellowship.