By Jennifer Davis Rash
Worship at the Wharf was rained out of its venue but not out of its spirit. And certainly not out of its ongoing effect.
“Now that the event is over, we are partnering churches across America with churches along the coast who have been impacted by the oil spill,” said Joe Savage, director of the center for leadership development at the University of Mobile (UMobile), who was instrumental in organizing the event.
“People now are so desperate for us to come together again,” he said. “They want to pray. They want to worship as one body of believers. We are currently praying and asking God to reveal what He desires next.”
All of this came from the quickly organized Aug. 15 event (part of the Restoring Hope project) to benefit those affected by the oil spill. What was planned as a concert and worship time at Orange Beach’s outdoor amphitheater at The Wharf was moved inside to Christian Life Church, Orange Beach, when a thunderstorm moved through the area.
And despite the weather, more than 2,000 people of all ages packed the church’s sanctuary as event organizers managed to start the program less than an hour after its original start time. A sprinkling of every age group shuffled around the outer edge of the mob of people standing shoulder-to-shoulder near the stage, but it was certainly the energetic young people bouncing and swaying to the music that made up the majority in attendance.
Sponsored by 54 area churches of various denominations, Worship at the Wharf grew out of a vision of Savage and Joe Shirk of the contemporary Christian band Big Daddy Weave and First Baptist Church, North Mobile, in Saraland. Their vision combined with the desire of several area pastors and businessmen to respond to the devastation and discouragement along the Gulf Coast made for the perfect push to pull the event together.
While Big Daddy Weave was a definite on the schedule, five other Christian artists also participated in the concert-type worship time: Lindell Cooley, Deluge, Alicia Williams Garcia, Mark Harris and Nikeland Nichols. Wrapping up the event was Ed Litton, pastor of First, North Mobile.
Litton said he wanted to offer encouragement to those in the area going through a hard time. While sharing some of the tragic story of losing his first wife in an automobile accident, Litton built his message around Psalm 23.
“The churches down here are suffering,” Litton told The Alabama Baptist. “The membership is leaving because they are having to find new jobs. Tithes and offerings are down. It is a ripple effect. But it’s not only economical, it’s psychological.”
“We want to bring hope and encouragement with this event,” Litton said. And with the hardships has come a unification of churches of all denominations, he said. “The people care in our churches and that’s wonderful.”
Savage pointed out that prayer for the Gulf Coast was central to the event and that “several dozen people prayed to receive Jesus.”
While the event was free, an offering was taken and about $15,000 has been collected so far, Savage said.
Litton explained the timing of the event coincided with students going back to school. There are always extra expenses getting ready to go back to school, he said. “We wanted to help people out.”
The money raised will be used to buy gift cards to local grocery stores to purchase food. That way the event can assist the local economy as well as families in need, Litton noted.
The gift cards will be distributed through area churches, Savage said.
Churches in need of funds to distribute to people impacted by the oil spill can contact Savage at jsavage@umobile.edu for an application.
According to the www.restoringhopeproject.com website, a team of five business and church leaders has volunteered to oversee the disbursements. A local CPA, Mark Hieronymus from the firm of Wilkins, Miller, Hieronymus LLC in Mobile, “has agreed to voluntarily oversee all recordkeeping for the project,” the website states.
“The one organization or entity along the Gulf Coast which is best suited to help families most in need is the local church,” Savage said. “They know the greatest needs in the community, and they know who has those needs more than anyone else.”
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