Area Churches worked together to bring Revival in the Park to Thorp Wisconsin beginning August 14 through August 18 at 7 p.m. each evening. The original idea for the Community Revival was begun by …
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Area Churches worked together to bring Revival in the Park to Thorp Wisconsin beginning August 14 through August 18 at 7 p.m. each evening. The original idea for the Community Revival was begun by Pastors Smokey Tennison and Pastor Don Hakes as they sat at breakfast together. This past week, the Revival in the Park held its 2nd year and after the week’s success, Pastor Brian Peterson of Trinity Vineyard Church and Master of Ceremonies at the Revival event said the 3rd Revival is already being planned. Pastor Peterson explained how the Revival was being received, “I think it’s going wonderfully,” and added that it was averaging approximately 70 attendees per evening. “Our thought was the fact that there’s so many churches and denominations but we’re all after the same God. We just wanted to get together without any boundaries. I feel there’s a need because of the way the world is going now. With everybody being divisive, we wanted to bring people together without any walls.”
Peterson answered that the Revival ran smoothly even with so many different doctrines and beliefs represented in one place because all denominations were included. “Everyone gets to play. That’s our motto. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like. It does not matter.”
Peterson explained how different Churches working together at the event impacted the community. “People get to see different styles of pastors too. Everybody has their own style and every pastor’s message is received exactly the same way regardless of who the pastor is because we’re all there for the same reason.”
A different Pastor preached to the crowd at Yellowstone Park for each night of the revival, with Pastor Mike Larabee from Full Gospel Mission Church in Stanley kicking off the event on Monday. Pastor Loyed Arnold of Grace Community Church was the speaker on Tuesday with Pastor Don Hakes of Trinity Vineyard Church on Wednesday and Pastor Andy Larson on Thursday. Pastor Smokey Tennison of The Rock Church wrapped up the five-night event on Friday. The event hosted a time of worship followed by a local speaker and then a time of prayer followed with more musical worship. Worship leader for 22 years and father of four, Brendan Brooks, led event attendees in worship for each evening.
Brooks, who travels the country putting together concerts and worship events, said, “It’s rare to see Churches wanting to partner together for community events. Revivals to me really make me focus on why I am a Christian in the first place. It should be about reaching the lost. If one person’s life was changed, then it was all worth it.”
On Wednesday evening, Pastor Don Hakes addressed the event attendees reading from the Bible the story of Jonah and the Whale, “As you can see with Jonah, God will have His way. He has plans for us. We’re all running somewhere. We’re either running to Him or away from Him. We’re going one way or the other. I once was lost but now I found Jesus. What will it take for you to do what God asks you to do? I hope you don’t have to go into the belly of a fish.”
He explained the merciful Heart of God to His people, “Sometimes it takes a lot for us to realize we are in the wrong. God is just a prayer away. I’m sure He can hear our prayer. The Heart of the Father is Grace, Mercy, slow to anger, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn His plan of punishment into forgiveness. All you have to do is ask Him. God is only a prayer away but we have to ask for our forgiveness.”
Pastor Hakes continued, “Do you know how much He (God) loves? Are we running towards the Heart of God? God tells us what we gotta do.”
He then added his hope for the crowd, “I pray that He’s your Lord and Savior. He wants to change your life. He knows all about you. It’s up to you if you want to follow Jesus or not.” As he closed for the evening to the last song of worship, Pastor Hakes stated, “This is Revival. We want revival! This revival stirs you up inside.”
