Grace Baptist in New Bethlehem hosts first annual music festival

Grace Baptist's hugely successful Victory in the Valley Christian Music Festival included music, testimonies and prayer.

July 8, 2021
LaVeta Jones

Grace Baptist Church in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, hosted its first annual Victory in the Valley Christian Music Festival last month.

With 350-400 in attendance, this collaborative event kicked off with a local praise and worship band, followed by Damon Covert and A Day Awaits. Jamie Kimmett and Stars Go Dim, the festival headliners, closed out the evening.

The diverse group of performers did more than sing, they shared their testimonies.

“We all go through different things in life and this allowed for more people to be reached,” said Pastor Robert Ryver of Grace Baptist.

Local pastor David Westover from Distant Baptist Church in Distant, Pennsylvania, briefly shared the Gospel that evening. “He did a fabulous job of making it relatable for those who may not know Jesus. He focused on John 14:6 and how Jesus is the only way to God and to Heaven. While this may seem obvious, he used many metaphors for how there is only one way to do certain things, just as the only way to God is through Jesus,” explained Ryver.

Prayer needs were addressed during the festival by way of a prayer tent staffed by local pastors and prayer warriors. “Many people came to request prayer and several, after coming with tears and seeming despair, left edified, encouraged and enlightened,” said Ryver. The Gideons were also on hand distributing New Testament Bibles.

Other event collaborators include Victory in the Valley, Redbank Valley Church Association, Geneva College and Cornerstone Church of Clarion Teen Missions who provided tattoos and balloons for kids.

Grace Baptist is grateful for the BRN Evangelism grant which assisted in making this festival possible and they are pleased with the number of attendees. Ryver anticipates reaching more people to hear the Gospel in the future as word of the festival spreads throughout the community and surrounding areas. To God be the glory!

LaVeta Jones

LaVeta Jones is a community outreach event coordinator, freelance media producer and communication consultant. She has coordinated events with the school district of Philadelphia and elected officials. She also works extensively with the faith-based community and the Philadelphia Police Department and has taught community policing workshops and presented for department press conferences. LaVeta, who earned a bachelor of arts in film and media arts at Temple University, graduated Summa Cum Laude and served as class valedictorian, began working for BRN in 2007, where she has assisted in telling the stories of our BRN churches.