FOCUS

On May 11th 50 area-wide organizations, ministries, churches, authors came together to celebrate the 4th Annual FOCUS Festival. Participating churches were Antioch Baptist, Church of Christ, First Baptist Blairsville, Grace Worship Center, House of Prayer, House of the Living God, Redeemer Baptist, Seventh day Adventist, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

            Visitors arrived to enjoy visiting, shopping, learning about various ministries and churches; listening to music; eating great foods and receiving prizes from local businesses. Breakfast sandwiches and coffee was served by the House of Prayer and BBQ meals by Joshua’s Warriors as well as other snack foods.  Children enjoyed making cards for family; some children learned to rope from Cowboys for Christ; others received animal balloons from Christian Motorcycle Association. 

            Local authors were available in a first-time event for FOCUS: Book-Signing.  It was an honor to have with us: Author, Ray Lunsford, a 94-year-old WWII veteran who recently celebrated his 70th years in ministry.  With him, also from Marble, NC was author, Sharon Kephart. Other authors included Paula Jean Henry, J.R. Collins who recently received his second international book award; Paula Massie Oneal; Doris Durbin; Sylvia Dyer Turnage and Arlene Gray who was donating all her proceeds to Georgia Mountain Pregnancy Center. 

            After Opening Prayer by Pastor George Cline, Antioch Baptist Church, music began to fill the air from Section 3 provided by musicians:  Ken Soltys with Angela Logan opening the day with the blowing of the shofar, trumpet, and worship music.  They were followed by Jay Golden, Jayna Jennings with Will Potts; Glorybound and ROC – Rock of Christ.   Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1