Where in October will you be able to find a bunch of kids wearing what they want, participating in several activities and doing it all together in praise of God?

The Union County Stadium.

A first-ever nondenominational Christian youth rally is being planned for 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, and organizers hope to get as many people, organizations and businesses — especially Union County’s churches — involved as they can to make it an event to remember.

Event coordinator Kathy Wilbanks wants to involve all of the county’s churches and their youth groups in the special evening. She also is inviting all kids — saved or otherwise — to come out for the event.

“It’s just a night of events for the youth,” Wilbanks said.

She said it’s going to be loud; kids will be dressed how they want to be and they will all be there for the single purpose of praising God.

“The Lord Jesus Christ is the superstar,” Wilbanks said.

But for the event to be a success, she needs volunteers and others to step forward and offer their time. Wilbanks said all Union County churches are invited to not only attend the event but also bring their talent and time and offer activities or performances for that evening.

She is hoping to have a full slate of events and activities for that evening to keep the kids busy and encourages anyone interested in taking a time slot that night to get in touch. Wilbanks said any activity is welcome — as long as it has a Christian message.

The coordinator is hoping local bands, praise and worship teams, visual artists, interpretive dancers and anyone else who wants to perform will get involved.

There are already a few activities planned for that night, including a performance by Jamey Williams and his martial arts Christian power group. The group of Union kids puts on an extreme martial arts show all for the glory of God and will share its message with the crowd during the first-ever event.

The message that evening will be delivered by the Rev. Tommy Mann of Union and Wilbanks said there are several other activities and local talents who have signed on already that will add their own flair to the rally.

Plans are moving forward for the rally and the RSVP date for anyone interested in being a part of the first-ever event is Thursday, Sept. 16. Wilbanks added if the amount of events and activities for that evening become larger than the four-hour time slot will allow, she’s more than willing to extend the time to incorporate everyone who wants to participate and praise the Lord.

The purpose of the youth rally is not only to get those Union County children who have already found their way to the Lord an opportunity to come together and praise Him, it’s also a chance for the churches of the community to reach out to all children and maybe even show some the way to God.

“We need the ones who are not saved to see what’s going on,” Wilbanks said.

The Union County Council on Ministry is supporting the event and Wilbanks invites not only the children of the county to come out but also the adults. She hopes the rally will help overcome the myth that today’s youth are a menacing crowd.

“Today’s youth are not menacing,” Wilbanks said. “They are just misunderstood and need someone to reach out and help them.”

One of the rally’s goals is to help show the county’s youth there is someone who can help and it’s the Lord. If it takes a rally to not only show them the way to God, but also the adults of the county, they are not what some stereotypes portray them to be, Wilbanks is all for it.

“I say go for it,” she said. “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s future.”

Wilbanks said if those children are put down now, the chances of them being put down in the future are high. She admitted there are bad youth out there, but there’s also bad adults and she hopes the community will pull together for this rally to encourage the county’s youth to not only be the best they can be but also help them find the right path to God.

No one will be turned away from the first-ever Christian youth rally and all are welcome. While she is taking the lead in coordinating and organizing the event, the only person in charge is the Man upstairs.

“The Lord Jesus Christ is in charge,” Wilbanks said. “It’s not a one-party event. The only star of the show is the Lord Jesus Christ, I can’t say that enough.”

She knows the Lord will provide what is necessary for this event and reiterated the need for people to step up and not only volunteer their talents for the rally itself but their time to volunteer and help make sure it comes off without a hitch.

Wilbanks hopes the rally can become an annual event and grow with time; but right now she hopes people will step up to make sure the first-ever rally is a success. She’s had several of the county’s churches contact her already but she wants even more involvement from the community.

“Everybody is excited about what we’re doing,” Wilbanks said about those she already has been in touch with.

She wants that excitement to extend into the rest of the county and has faith the youth rally will be a special event for everyone involved — from those who attend to those who participate.

Wilbanks said anything is possible with God leading the way.

“I know anything is possible through Christ if we give Him the praise and glory for it,” she said.

FOR MORE INFO:

To learn more about the upcoming first-ever Christian youth rally slated for Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Union County Stadium, or to volunteer your time or talents for the event, contact event coordinator Kathy Wilbanks at (864) 427-0082 or (864) 466-6358. The date to RSVP an event or activity for that evening is Thursday, Sept. 16.