The “Fireworks Church” is how many in our community still describe Ridgeview.  What began as a Sunday School get together to shoot off some fireworks became an event that reached several thousand people with the love of Jesus.   Jim Hurd was the heart behind this great ministry.  His love for Jesus and his love for sharing fireworks for others to enjoy was contagious and motivated hundreds of people to volunteer their time on July 4th.  The heart behind “Fired up for Jesus” was to offer a family-friendly and safe environment for our community to come enjoy July 4th.  Everything was free: free hot dogs, free parking, free door prizes, and especially free fireworks.  We always would say we do this event because of our love for Christ, Community and Country.  It was the fireworks that brought the 4-5 thousand people to show up in the field of George and Tammy Baker and all along Carters Valley Road.  But when they came for the fireworks they also met Jesus, through the love of His people.  Volunteers who parked cars, handed out food, sang songs, registered folks, cleaned up, and shot off the fireworks, all were showing the love of Jesus.

Several circumstances, especially the health of Jim Hurd led us to make the hard decision to conclude our Fired up for Jesus event after 15 years.  My son Jake on every July 4th still mentions how he misses the event.  I’m sure Jake is not alone, the Bakers probably still have people today showing up with their lawn chairs on July 4th :).   We had been praying about an event to replace this great outreach to our community.  An event that would be family-friendly and offer a safe environment for the community to enjoy and where everything would be free.  With the help of several of the guys who were a big part of Fired up for Jesus we are planning “The Rally @ the Ridge” Car/Cycle Show on Saturday, April 30th 11am-4pm.  We are hopeful that this event will continue the heart of the July 4th event.  Everything will be provided for free, car registration will be free, and each registration will receive a free t-shirt.  Free hot dogs, chips, moon pie and tea/water will also be provided.  We will be giving away free door prizes to those who bring their cars/cycles and also door prizes to those from the community who are coming to look at the cars.   Since this is our first year of Rally @ the Ridge we are keeping it simple.  Each year we hope to learn how to make this a bigger and better event.

As of today, we have around 40 cars who have pre-registered on our website.  We are expecting 75-100 cars/cycles/trucks.  Here is how you can help us.  We need volunteers to help with registration, food, parking, and just meeting our community.  It’s the cars/cycles that will bring the people to our campus, but when they come we want them to meet Jesus through the love of His people.  Pray about being a part of this great opportunity to show our community the love of Jesus, there is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center at the Church where you can sign up to volunteer.

Even though everything is going to be free, we are encouraging folks to bring canned foods for the Church Hill/Mt. Carmel Food Pantry.  Any donations given that day will also be given to the Food Pantry.  What t-shirts we have left we will sale for $10 S-XL and $12 2X/3X, this money will help offset the cost of this event, if you would like to help above your tithe with this event you can designate it to the Rally @ the Ridge.  Another way you can assist us is to ask your company or business to donate door prizes to be given away.  Keep in mind that we want appropriate and quality door prizes.  If you own your own business it could be a great way to promote your business through your generosity.

Fired up for Jesus became an event that had a lasting influence on our community, our prayer is that Rally @ the Ridge will continue this influence for the glory of Jesus. Paul in I Corinthians 9:22 says “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”  May the Rally @ the Ridge event be used of Jesus to bring many into a relationship with Him.

Life is a journey, learn on the way! Till next time stay in the Scripture!

Pastor Jon