Spreading Joy and Faith at the Community Hope Fest
The Community Hope Fest is a free annual event that combines fun, faith and food. The purpose of the Hope Fest is to inspire family hope through community resources and fun, family activities.
Under the direction of Bob Bagne of The Hope Connection, the Sherburne County Fairgrounds in Elk River, Minnesota will be transformed into a mission field for an afternoon. This year, the Community Hope Fest is scheduled for August 11, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and is expected to draw around 3,000 people of all ages, providing an excellent opportunity for spreading the gospel.
The Fest will offer free backpacks and school supplies to children, along with several enjoyable activities for all ages including live music, horse rides, face painting, bounce houses, a ninja course, raffle prizes, and a bean bag tournament. Free food such as burgers, corn dogs, root beer floats, and funnel cakes will add to the festive atmosphere.
Growth and Expansion
The Community Hope Fest was first held on church property in 2021 and 2022. With the growth in popularity and attendance, it has since moved to the Sherburne County Fairgrounds. This has opened the door to welcome a more diverse crowd and allow for greater outreach potential.
This year's event will include a variety of nearly fifty local ministries, home churches, businesses, and attractions. Together, they form a strategically organized outreach effort, designed to strengthen community connections, offering families hope, and provide various resources.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the event's success, offering their time and talents to ensure every participant feels welcomed and valued. The event's format is designed to be easily replicated, with information available for attendees who wish to organize similar events in their own communities.
Evangelism Efforts
A key aspect of the Community Hope Fest is its focus on evangelism. Christian bands have been invited to entertain and lead in worship, creating a welcoming environment for sharing the message of Christ. A local pastor will serve as the master of ceremonies and introduce a variety of speakers, each sharing content such as personal testimonies highlighting the transformative impact of the gospel throughout the day.
During the event, fellow believers, will mingle among the crowds and share the gospel, and pray with individuals. A dedicated prayer tent will offer a quiet space for reflection and prayer. Additionally, there will be a tent where free books and English and Spanish Bibles with be available. For many participants, this will be their first Bible. Pray that this will ignite excitement, curiosity and hope about the Christian faith.
Looking Ahead
In the future, the Community Hope Fest event organizers are exploring the possibility of extending the festival to two days to accommodate more people. This expansion would include a Saturday evening dedicated to those unable to attend on Sunday. Conversely, Bob Bagne plans to scale back his involvement in the Community Hope Fest due to health issues resulting from an accident. Thankfully, God is inspiring members of the church community to step up and fill various roles at the event. A new coordinator will take over the major responsibilities for 2025, while Bob continues to be involved in promoting activities and fundraising.
Please pray for the team of volunteers as preparations for the day continue and for the smooth planning and execution of the event. Pray for a successful event that not only entertains but also deeply touches lives with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. Pray that God will provide the remaining $43,000 of the $70,000 needed.