History of Jesus Fest

Jesus Fest started in 2006 with the 1st Annual Festival conducted in partnership with the Clarksburg Mission and the Greater Clarksburg Evangelistic Association (GCEA).

That first year over 3000 people attended the festival. The program consisted of a main stage where local praise and worship teams played music and local pastors preached the gospel to all in attendance. There was also a 2nd stage that focused on youth and children’s programs, a Christian Family Theater where inspirational movies were presented, a well supervised children’s play area with inflatable games and a number of church groups and carefully selected vendors who provided a variety of food items and other suitable crafts and wares. On Sunday a church service was held at the main stage and afterward free food was provided in conjunction with the Clarksburg Mission as an outreach to feed the hungry and reach out to people in need. Prayer partners were available for those with questions or spiritual needs throughout the festival.

The first Jesus Fest was deemed to be a great success.

In 2007, during the second festival year, Jesus Fest became Jesus Fest, Inc., a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. During Jesus Fest 2007 the attendance doubled, with approximately 6000 in attendance. Once again the program included the Christian Family Theater showing Inspirational movies, an improved children's area with more and bigger inflatable games, Christian youth bands, clowns and a doubled number of vendors and church groups on the mid-way. The big addition this year was three headline Christian performers Bethany Dillon, December Radio and Sanctus Real on the main stage. The Festival in conjunction with the Clarksburg Mission again provided free food on Sunday as a way to attract those in need and minister to them.

The second year of Jesus Fest was declared by the performers and the local media to be an even bigger success with this being the only event of its kind in the state of West Virginia. K-Love radio, the preeminent Christian Radio Station was present at the Festival and gave their endorsement and promise of future involvement.

PLANS FOR JESUS FEST 2008

In addition to continuing the activities from the previous two festivals, Jesus Fest 2008 will feature a greatly expanded children’s program to include a children’s stage show on the main stage and an improved children’s area with additional activities for children.

Jesus Fest 2008 will also include a Christian Education element where we hope to have a worship mini-seminar conducted by the main praise and worship performers and speakers so that this event can serve as a resource to local churches. We propose to have a total of four headline performers that would be comprised of a combination of musical praise and worship performers and educational and inspirational speakers.