RAISE THE PRAISE 2008 SPRING EXPLOSION PICS

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RAISE THE PRAISE REACHES PASTORS GOAL

by Scott Wilson / Portland Progressive
swprogressive@bellsouth.net

When Joyce Stark first had a vision of a concert that would draw young people to hear The Word of God, she really had no idea how it would actually come to happen.

So she just believed that God would show her the way and bring people to her that would help her make the vision come to life.

Well, the vision came to life in a big way last weekend whem Portland played host to RAISE THE PRAISE, a Christian musical celebration, at Richland Park

"My dream and my goal for this event were to reach a generation that needs to be reached. I actually had the vision. I actually had the idea to do this event 9 years ago, but never allowed me to do it until now." said Stark, the youth pastor at Byrams Chapel in Portland. "God opened the door for me. When the time came for it to happen, God brought the people to the table that could help me pull this off. He brought all the right people. This is the time to connect with this generation of kids. It wasn't the time 9 years ago."

Stark said young people are being influenced in the wrong way in todays society, and she feels it is time for someone to step up and do something about that.

"If we don't step up to the plate and take a stand for the children, we're going to lose them," Stark said. "I don't think they are getting the direction they need to get, and it starts in the home. I always tell my youth '...an aimless arrow is a deadly arrow.'"

"When the children arent given direction in the home, when they dont have a path of righteousness laid out before them by their mother and father, then they have no structure, no aim in life." Stark commented.

And that's where we go wrong. The divorce rate in the United States is higher than it's ever been. Statistics say 25 million children will go to bed in a home without a father. We're in perilous days, and it's time to step up to the plate and turn this around. There is a sense of urgency in my heart and in the hearts of those who helped put this event together."

The concert last weekend was filled with artists of several different genres of Christian music. There were Christian Rap artists, as well as folk singers, and heavy rock and rollers.

"You have to set a venue to reach kids. You have to look at society and hear the music the industry is using to draw them into destruction. The message is vile and filthy." Stark said. "We want to take what our culture has perverted and saturate it with a message that can draw the kids' hearts"

"These kids like this music, and we use it with Godly lyrics to draw their hearts," Stark added. "we want them to come to an event like this so that we can saturate them with The Word of God."

Some of the artists performing at the concert included Jonathan Porter, Elayna Boynton, AltarEgo, The Opposed, and the featured artist, Anavox

"It was a very successful day. What I saw in my heart nine years ago was accomplished today. These kids love this kind of music, so why not draw them here and saturate them with the Word of God through music and the special guests." Stark said. "God said if we plow the field, He will give the increase. We just give the results to The Lord. I feel really good about what took place here today"

CALLING ALL CHURCHES, YOUTH GROUPS AND BUSINESSES...PLAN ON BEING INVOLVED IN RTP FESTIVAL EVENTS...HELP GIVE A HAD IN REACHING THIS GENERATION FOR JESUS CHRIST

"We lay down our own interests for the sake of coming to the aid of those who would have no other help. That's an incarnation of the life of Jesus."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE CONTACT JOYCE STARK AT RTPEVENTS@GMAIL.COM



HERE'S WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE RAISE THE PRAISE FESTIVAL EVENTS



"Anavox is overwhelmed and excited for the future in regards to "Raize The Praize" and the plans God has. The Heart and Spirit behind all who are involved is one of purity and hope. There is no agenda accept to serve, lift up Jesus, and capture the hearts of young and old alike for His Kingdom. We as a band are proud to be a part of this ministry. The responses from all who attend have amazed us and the excitment generated by Worship and Praise to God is spreading through out Portland and the surrounding areas. It is evident that God has a plan and as for Anavox, we will serve God, Joyce Stark and all who attend these Festivals." Anavox



"I was honored to be a part of both RTP 2007 and Fall Fire! What a wonderful opportunity to come together as one body, walking in one spirit, worshiping the one true God! Seeing lives changed and hearts transformed was certainly a highlight for me. I want to keep rockin' with you guys for a long time to come!!" MistyRae



"Raize the Praize: Fall Fire was a blessed and extremely encouraging experience for our band. Not only did we get a chance to meet and hear other talented artists, but we had the opportunity to spend several hours after our set meeting and greeting new fans and friends. As a four Christian guys in a band, that's a big part of our ministry. The event was more than we expected. When you're an up and coming band, sometimes you end up playing to the open room, but instead, we we're welcomed by a gracious staff, and cheered by excited adults and young people eager to celebrate life under God. We can only hope that people walked away from that night knowing that Jesus=Joy." SHINE UNDER