Christian Reader October 2008 | Page 7

GAINESVILLE CHURCH AIMS TO FEED THOUSANDS AT EVENT Judah Fest Offers Free Fish , Live Entertainment and Spiritual Food for Community

By Yhanique Whitely Gainesville , Florida

PASSAGE Family Church will hold its bi-annual free community fish fry on Saturday , October 4 , 2008 from 11a . m . to 2 p . m . at T . B . McPherson , 1717 SE 15th Street , Gainesville , FL .

Judah Fest , formally known as Free Community Fish Fry , was established in 2005 and is an event that the whole family can enjoy with the promise of good food , live entertainment , prize give-a-ways , sporting activities , health screenings , community fellowship and fun for all . Joleen Williams , Judah Fest Event Coordinator stressed that the event , although sponsored by PASSAGE , is for the community . This event is for any and everyone who would endeavor to attend . We pray that everyone who hears of the event and chooses to attend would enjoy those few hours with us and leave forever changed ,” Williams said . In the past , Judah Fest has seen more than 3,500 visitors but Williams said that this year her focus has changed “ more so from the sheer number of people we feed to the number of people led to Christ through this event .”

Williams said she envisions Judah Fest becoming a signature community event much like the Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show . “ The vision of our Pastor is to have the event in more than one place at the same time and PASSAGE is currently working toward this goal ; so the sky is the limit for Judah Fest .”

Gainesville Church Feed Thousands Judah Fest Yhanique Whitely Gainesville , Florida Christian Reader October 2008

7 The Christian Reader October 2008

PASSAGE Family Church is a progressive , non-denominational church that is “ Wordbased , Vision-driven and Kingdom-focused .” Passage was started by Pastor George and Lady Michele Dix on March 3 , 2002 , where it held his first worship service at the Best Western Gateway Grand hotel , with a congregation consisting of his family and some friends . Nine months later , the church moved to its current location at 2020 NE 15th Ave . and on Jan . 5 , 2003 , held its first service with a congregation numbering 90 . Six years later , the congregation has grown to more than 1,800 partners .

To learn more about PASSAGE Family Church or to schedule an interview , please contact Yhanique Whitely at 352-359-1523 or publicrelations @ Passageministries . org