Bethany UMC to Host Johnstown Revival Effort
Modeled after an old-fashioned tent revival, Bethany UMC in Johnstown will host outdoor ecumenical gatherings each evening from July 10-16 designed to inspire and spur positive change in the Greater Johnstown area by leading people to Christ.
“We’re excited about doing it and following wherever God is going to take it,” said the Rev. Larry Dunn, pastor of Bethany UMC. Dunn will lead the service on Monday evening, July 11.
The event is sponsored by Greater Johnstown Covenant Ministries, a group that Dunn helped to form about two years ago. Meeting once or twice a month at an area restaurant, the group includes laity and clergy of all denominations who want to see a revival in the greater Johnstown area. “It’s received support from businesses and school administrators,” Dunn said.
"Our Covenant Ministries group brings together people from a variety of faith traditions representing the diversity of our communities," he added. "We are just opening the door and tearing down the walls to allow God to work on building a portion of the kingdom in greater Johnstown. We want to see revival for everyone!"
The revival services will include teaching, preaching and healing services. Gary Hale, a layman from Oakland UMC who leads healing services and frequently travels to Africa as a missionary, helped to organize the event. “We want to change our city for the better,” he said.
Leaders for the 6:30 p.m. services, in addition to Dunn, include:
- July 10 - Pastor Kendale Bellamy of Mount Sinai Baptist Church
- July 12 - Pastor John Mains of Fountain of Life Fellowship
- July 13 - Pastor Mike McCool and Pastor Mike Taylor of Mark 16 Ministries and Brooke Parada, youth pastor of Flood City Church.
- July 14 - Pastor Rodney Hatfield of Peniel Residential Treatment Center
- July 15 - Pastor Jacqueline LaRue of Fountain of Life Fellowship
“Prior to the Wednesday meeting, we have a youth meeting where we’ll encourage them to rise up and to go back into their schools and make an impact in Johnstown,” Hale told the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.
The July 15 gathering will be geared to women, and on July 16 at 9 a.m., Hale will minister to men and boys. A continental breakfast will be served.
“We are always stronger in a group, so we all need to work together to make a change,” Hale told the newspaper. “We hope to expand this and make it a real blessing for the city.”
All revival meetings are free and open to the public.