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Hundreds Jam for Jesus, enjoy a medley of fun family frolics
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Geoffrey Hauschild|The Vindicator.Riley Story, 6 of Boardman, holds a puppy an animal tent also featuring an iguana, a snake and other animals during the Jammin' for Jesus event at the Fairview Arts and Outreach Center in Youngstown on Sunday afternoon.
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Erica Roman, 10, of Youngstown tumbles down the bounce and slide during the Jammin’ for Jesus event Sunday afternoon at Fairview Arts and Outreach Center in Youngstown. The family-oriented event featured Christian music, cornhole games, a dunking booth and food. The event was sponsored by Lost Then Found Ministries, Top Hat Productions, Jericho Project and the Salvation Army.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
People jammed to music and enjoyed pets, games, good food and even a dunk tank during Sunday’s Jammin’ for Jesus fest.
And one of the best things for the 400 people who attended the family-oriented activity Sunday at the Fairview Arts Outreach 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. “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 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.
“It is Christian music written by Noble,” Joy said.
Joy said Lost Then Found Ministries often collaborates with other ministries to offer activities.
“Our purpose is to reach out to the community,” she said, adding that music was one avenue that the ministry takes.
There was more than fun offered at Jammin’ for Jesus as the Salvation Army had a prayer station. Walter Stone, a senior SA soldier, said people came up to pray about improvement for the economy.
Capt. Keith Campbell, Mahoning Area Services coordinator, said the SA has participated in the event for four years. “This is a way to get the message of Jesus out,” he said, adding that people often ask about Salvation Army services.
From Top Hat, Carol Miller, who does costumes, and Rick Jaworski of Cleveland, were staffing the grill and passing out hot dogs and hamburgers. Both said the event was a good Christian activity for families.
Julie Palumbo of Boardman, who is involved in Top Hat and Lost Then Found Ministries, performed. She said the event is a “nice thing for the community” and because it’s all at no charge helps struggling families with free refreshments on top of the fun.
“People come out and enjoy one another’s company,” she said.