Kingdom Fest unifies Christians Giving praise through song, dance, drama

Photo By Spc. Janine Coogler | Spc. Jenna Gram directs the Arifjan gospel choir in a song.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

11.09.2005

Courtesy Story

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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- "Order my steps in your word dear Lord. Lead me, guide me every day. Send your anointing, father I pray. Order my steps in your word."

As the Camp Arifjan gospel choir sang, worshipers raised their arms in praise and followed the choir's lead. With smiles on their faces, people rejoiced and gave glory to the Lord in a different setting. They were not in the chapel, they were worshiping outside.

More than 850 servicemembers and civilians from Kuwait camps came to fellowship together Oct. 30 at Arifjan's Zone 6 stage.

"Kingdom Fest is a time for Christians to come together in a special way to show the Camp Arifjan community what kind of worship opportunities are available to them," said Chap. (Capt.) Matthew Hall, Arifjan gospel service pastor.

Some people have a misconception that church is boring and have a narrow view of worshiping, said Maj. Anthony Wright, Arifjan gospel service co-pastor. "We are out here to show how exciting, joyful and fun worshiping can be."

Throughout the program, Christians were ministering through music, dance, drama and word.

The music-filled program, designed to enhance the worship experience of Christians, began with the Arifjan gospel service choir.

Christians were encouraged through songs like "Order My Steps" and "My Soul Got Another Dip."

The songs" lyrics spoke to the hearts of several people in the crowd, said Cpl. Maurice Horstead, Arifjan gospel choir saxophone player.

"It's good to see the music move people closer to God," he said.

Others were ministered to through dance. Ten women dressed in white, which represents holiness and purity, glorified God and spoke to the community with their scared dance.
In addition to the sacred dance and singing, a skit was performed.

In the skit, people went to McJesus where they could personally order the kind of Jesus they wanted. One customer requested a Pvt. Jesus he could order around. In the end a customer realized that Jesus cannot be special-ordered to fit specific lifestyles.

In addition to delivering the word of God, Kingdom Fest brought together the Christian community, said Wright.

"We tried to include all denominations in coordinating Kingdom Fest," said Staff Sgt. Athena Dickey, Kingdom Fest co-coordinator.

The chaplain assistants from all the denominations gave support in organizing items for the event. In addition to the variety of gospel choirs from various camps throughout Kuwait, the contemporary service band performed.

"Christians were given the opportunity to fellowship with people they normally wouldn't get a chance to worship with," Dickey said.

Staff Sgt. Derrick Stevenson had his first opportunity in 10 months to worship with his mother, Master Sgt. Joyce Stevenson.

"It is great to come here and have family support in a spiritual way as well as a best friend," Derrick Stevenson said.

At the end of Kingdom Fest, people were given gift bags full of ministry items. "This is our way of reaching and ministering to people, even when we are not there," Wright said.
Although it was not the first outside fellowship for the gospel service, it was the biggest Christian event because it incorporated various denominations, Wright said.

"It's a beautiful thing to see so many people giving praise," he said.

Throughout the New Testament the "church" is referred to as a group of people glorifying God. The church is not the building, it's the people. So the people who came to worship in Zone 6 were the church, and they rejoiced for the opportunity to praise God.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2005
• Date Posted: 11.09.2005 17:00
• Story ID: 3691
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW