Jammin’ for Jesus: Hundreds enjoy Christian-centered fun in Youngstown

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

At the Jammin’ for Jesus event at Fairview Arts and Outreach Center, a crowd of between 300 and 400 people listened to a parade of musical performers, visited the bounce and slide, petted a puppy or rabbit or snake, played corn hole, got splashed at a dunking booth and enjoyed a hot dog or hamburger hot off the grill.

And one of the best things about the family-oriented activity Sunday at the center, 4220 Youngstown-Poland Road, was that it was free. Sponsors were Lost Then Found Ministries, Top Hat Productions, Jericho Project and the Salvation Army.

Mary Catherine McMahan of Girard attended with her three children, Gillian, 9; Christopher, 7; and Liam, 3.

“This is great,” McMahan said of the event. “It’s been a fun, family day.”

McMahan said the family learned about the event because her daughter, Gillian, is involved in Top Hat. “She liked the dunking booth best,” she said, adding that Christopher enjoyed the bounce and slide and Liam, the petting area.

McMahan said the event was a nice “end-of-summer and back-to-school activity” and the “price” was right. She added it was a good way to “celebrate Jesus.”

John Truman of North Lima, who was babysitting his grandchildren, 4-year-old Kiersten and 10-month-old Koen Truman said he usually takes them for a walk. But Kiersten heard the music and wanted to investigate. “She heard the band playing,” Truman said. “She’s done everything here. Koen liked petting the rabbits.”

Rachell Joy, president of Lost Then Found Ministries in Struthers, said the Jammin’ for Jesus is in its 10th year and the fifth one at the Fairview center. She described the event as a “neighborhood festival.” It began at Centenary United Methodist Church in Youngstown.

Joy said about 30 volunteers from the four sponsoring groups partner to put on Jammin’ for Jesus. Joy said Lost Then Found Ministries was founded in 1968 by Bob Noble, a teacher in Struthers who is now retired. He and a group of teens formed a band that evolved into a street ministry and worked with Teen Challenge. Noble and the Lost Then Found Ministries band have produced 13 albums and present concerts throughout the United States.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.