Sunday, June 28 was one of those nights that everyone who attended will remember for a long time. Our annual GospelFest is always one of the highlights of the year, bringing together music from across our church. From soloists and quartets to the youth choir, church choir, and other special music, the evening was filled with worship and outstanding talent.

This year, though, there was an unexpected twist.

Along with GospelFest, we surprised our pastor with a special birthday celebration. Friends from out of town quietly made their way in just before service began. Throughout the evening, ministers representing different seasons of Pastor’s life shared memories and words of appreciation. Some spoke as lifelong friends, others as pastors who were sent out from Inland Lighthouse Church, and others represented different areas of ministry where his influence has been felt. An audio greeting from Evangelist Cody Marks added another neat moment to the occasion.

Following the service, everyone gathered outside for a wonderful meal and fellowship. The decorations were absolutely beautiful. A huge thank you goes to Amanda Thomas and her entire team for the countless hours they invested in making everything look amazing. From the decorations and food to the cake and the many volunteers who served throughout the evening, every detail reflected the love and appreciation our church has for our pastor.

There are probably dozens of things we’re forgetting to mention, but that’s the kind of night it was. Everything came together to create an evening that honored our pastor in a meaningful way while still celebrating the music and worship that make GospelFest such a favorite each year.

This certainly was not a typical GospelFest. After all, Pastor only turns 50 once. It was a special evening for our church family, and we’re thankful to everyone who helped make it so special.