“Summer Picnic MusicFest2003”

By Julie Saffrin

Ah, the sounds and sights of summer. What sums up the season better than a picnic and a concert on a summer day, a time of year when day and night are nearly equal? Emily Dickinson said it this way, “When I count at all, first poets, then the sun, then summer, then the Heaven of God, and then the list is done.”

For the last six years Heart of the City Ministries, a Christ-centered, music-and-worship focused ministry designed to unify ages, races, and denominations, has come together at the end of June to have a massive multi-interracial Church picnic.

KTIS Radio, too, has held an annual MusicFest at month's end, bringing in nationally known Christian recording artists.

This year, the two ministries have teamed up for a day-into-night event, “Summer Picnic MusicFest2003” on Saturday, June 28 th at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend this family event in a massive, summer “church picnic” atmosphere that runs from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. “A lot of churches can't afford to stage an event like this,” said Dan Adler, director of Heart of the City ministries. “We're suggesting they come as a church and have a picnic together with other Christians.”

Both Heart of the City and KTIS Radio had been looking for an opportunity to gather the two groups. “We just thought it was a perfect way to partner our ministries,” said Adler. “We want to make it as broad, ethnically, as we can. We are about creating new routines for The Church to get out of being denominationally and segregally divided believers. This event is a great way to get together and be less ethno-centric and gather to worship God.” Jon Engen, KTIS Manager concurs. “When we looked at all side, what they were going and where our heart has been for bringing music concerts to the Twin Cites, we just thought it was a remarkable fit.”

Prior to becoming director of Heart of the City, Adler, along with his wife, Sandy, were music ministers for eleven years at Church of the Open Door. He has penned over 100 songs and performs regularly with the Heart of the City worship band, a 22-person band comprised of African American, Caribbean, Hispanic, Hmong, East Indian, Native American and Caucasian members.

Adler believes that the Church could not be more divided. “We're completely racially divided in every city and town and then we're broken down into denominations and then within in the denominations, they're sub-denominations, and then within our sub-denominations there's contemporary and traditional services.” Adler believes it is imperative the body of Christ cross racial boundary lines and get to know their brothers and sisters in Christ. “What we're really about comes from Jesus' words in John 17: 23 “I pray that we would be in one to let the world know that You sent me.”

Doors open at the fairgrounds at 11 a.m. With the exception of the four national artists concerts, the event is free, including two petting zoos, pony rides, concerts from local bands performing on various stages, inflatable games for kids, the Timberwolves Street Zone, featuring the highly entertaining Timberwolves mascot, Crunch. A huge tent featuring Christian ministries, businesses, schools and colleges as well as Spanish and Hmong tents will be on the fairgrounds. Concessions are available for purchase.

Headlining the four national concerts are Dove Award singers and musicians dispersed throughout the day. A special family rate of $60.00 for 2 adults, 2 children (6-12) with 5 and under being free, includes a wristband and admittance to all four national shows. The Ragamuffin Band (formed by the late Rich Mullins) performs noon-1 p.m; The Katinas, the five-brother singing group from the American Samoa islands from 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Sonic Flood, a worship youth band, 5-6 p.m.; and Nicole C. Mullen from 7:30-8:30 p.m. “We intentionally prioritized bringing in ethnic worship groups to build bridges between us,” Adler said.

Culminating the event will be fireworks and a concert by the Heart of the City Worship Band. “Our band tries to reach out in different directions, musically,” said Adler. “We do Gospel, Latino, Reggae, modern worship sounds, hymns and we do some things in different languages.”

Engen added, “We count it a privilege that we could come together like this. We're excited to see what God is going to do on that day.”

Between here and Heaven, sounds like a great way to begin summer solstice.

Tickets are available at www.ktis.fm or www.heartofthecity.com or by calling Heart of the City at 612-278-1720 or the KTIS ticket office at 651-631-5151.