New Around the Mission
Concerts Draw Tourists to Hear the Gospel
June 29, 2011
In the shadow of the largest Ferris wheel on the East coast, just feet from the sand of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Christian music spills out of a huge white pavilion on a warm Sunday night. As tourists stroll along the boardwalk, the contagious energy of bands like KJ52 and Tenth Avenue North makes them pause to listen—and even pull up a chair or blanket and stay for a while.
The Sunday Celebrations concert series, held each Sunday night from May to September, has already shared the Gospel with more than 5,000 people. That’s far more than organizers David Hawkins and his wife, Valerie, attendees of All Saints Church in Pawleys Island, expected when they launched the outreach through their newly formed nonprofit, Downtown Ministries, in April 2011. They weren’t sure the city would even approve their plans.
“The city council has allowed Christian music but hasn’t granted permission for the gospel to be preached in many, many years,” Valerie says. “The chairman of the Downtown Revitalization Committee said, ‘I’m the most unreligious person here, but because I think it’ll bring in money, you have my approval.’”
City approval was just one of many signs that the concert series, an idea David says God gave him at the 2011 Winter Conference, was indeed from God. Local businesses and sponsors gave donations and free advertising to Downtown Ministries. Ground Zero, a local ministry reaching teenagers for Christ, helped the Hawkins learn booking and enlist acts like Big Daddy Weave, Chris August, Britt Nicole, Building 429 and Sidewalk Prophets.
Now, each Sunday, a local worship band kicks off the night followed by a short message from a guest speaker—international evangelist Andrew Palau will preach later this summer. A headlining performance finishes off the evening. As guests enjoy the ocean breezes, they can stop by the prayer tent or chat with believers from other local churches.
Valerie says highlights to date include an altar call from hip-hop artist KJ52, in which more than 50 people responded. Another artist, Britt Nicole, stayed for an hour after her performance to talk and pray with guests, and Tenth Avenue North had a crowd of 2,500 with their hands in the air.
Ultimately, the Hawkins hope the concert series paves the way for ongoing ministry.
“It is time for the church to break out from their walls, take what they already know and put into practice what Jesus taught and modeled,” Valerie says. “We are hoping this is just a kicking-off point for Downtown Ministries to become a force in Myrtle Beach to come alongside churches and have opportunities to love people.”
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Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Local Events
