On Aug. 7-9, a 3-night outdoor tent revival will be held again in Conrad at the City Park (by the family aquatic center). This is the second year in a row local pastors John Erthein (First Presbyterian Church, Conrad), Tim Freeman (Beacon Christian Church, Conrad), Randy Ponce (Alice Church of God, Conrad), Jennifer Schwartz (Cornerstone Methodist Church, Grundy Center) and John Richter (Union Community Church, Union) have organized a community tent meeting to encourage togetherness in faith in Jesus Christ.

In promotion of the Revival, Pastor Richter said, “While we are calling this a ‘revival’ we understand that Christian revival is not something that can be artificially engineered but it’s something that should be continually prayed for.”

Pastor Freeman said, “Throughout history, the open air preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has always been a huge part of ushering in true revival. The preaching of God’s Word is central to historical revivals. May it be so in Conrad.”

During the First Great Awakening in Britain and America in the mid-18th century, it is said that the great George Whitefield could preach to 30,000 people without need of any voice amplification assistance. While they are not expecting crowds of that magnitude, the attendance of last year’s tent meetings proved a need for open-air evangelism in the area.

Pastor Schwartz said, “My hope for this year’s revival is a refreshing of the spirit for all believers and for people to come and hear the Good News of salvation in Jesus’ name. Last year was amazing, it was a time of great testimony to the faithfulness of our God. I pray this year will bring more of the same.”

Pastor Erthein sees this as a great opportunity to encourage unity among believers. He said, “My hope is that this year’s revival will lead to greater unity and heal divisions amongst believers in the community.”

Each evening of worship will feature singing, prayer and preaching centered around the theme of revival found in Habakkuk 3:2, “O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”

It is the hope of the organizers that people from all around will gather together in faith in the name of Jesus Christ. A free community meal will be served on Friday night at 5 p.m. for anyone who would like to attend. Light refreshments will be served on Saturday and Sunday. Pastor Schwartz will be preaching the opening night of the revival on Aug. 7. Pastor Richter will preach the gospel message on Aug. 8 and Pastor Ponce will be closing the tent meetings on Aug. 9 with the final evening also featuring a traditional community choir.

The organizers of this 3-night revival invite people to join them in Conrad on Aug. 7-9 and have asked for any who are willing to be steadfast in prayer leading up to the event. The hope, now and forever, is that God will be praised and that all involved will labor to see the name of Jesus Christ glorified. Nightly services will start at 6 p.m. (community meal at 5 p.m. on Friday night only) and be held at Conrad City Park, 112 Boyd St., Conrad.