A two-hour event featuring music, motivational speaking, and prayer is being hosted by Kingdom City Church in Nose Creek Regional Park on Sept. 19, as a way to encourage and uplift the community.
This is the first time the event is being held, according to Nathan Kliewer, a pastor at the Airdrie-based church. He said the idea emerged from the desire to bring the community together after months of separation and uncertainty.
“[The last 18 months] have been a long haul for everybody. People are looking for hope, they’re looking for a voice of truth and just to be encouraged and uplifted,” he said.
The pastor added the idea began with simply moving that Sunday’s service outdoors, and then it continued to develop from there.
The plan is to have music from one of the church’s worship bands, intertwined with moments of speaking and prayer. There will also be moments dedicated to recognizing health-care workers, according to Kliewer.
The pastor added members of the church will be present to direct prayer, blessings and healing messages in the prayer tent to those who indicate they need it.
Lead Pastor of Kingdom City Church, Sandy Isfeld, encouraged everyone to attend, regardless of religious status.
“After a long, hard year-and-a-half, it’s time to ignite hope, encourage hearts, and uplift families and communities,” Isfeld said via a press release. “So, this evening is for everyone, whether church-goers or not. We want people to know of the life and strength Jesus offers, and for them to leave feeling hopeful, revived, and encouraged.”
Kliewer echoed that sentiment, explaining the event in and of itself is a celebration of the resilience shown by the community and a chance to feel loved, supported and capable.
“Let’s try and figure out together what it means to thrive again,” he said.
Night of Hope is being held on Sept. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Nose Creek Regional Park. There is no registration or admission charge to attend, however Kliewer said they are accepting donations for the Airdrie Food Bank as another way to contribute to the community. He added that monetary donations should be given to the food bank directly.
“It’s a place where we want to ignite hope and peace in people, find community with one another, and be uplifted with your family or on your own, and enjoy a night in the park, where we can be a voice of hope in a time when there’s a lot of hopelessness around,” he said.
Kingdom City Church is located at 1604 Summerfield Blvd SE. For more information about the Night of Hope event, visit kingdomcity.ca/hope
