{"id":1398,"date":"2011-09-18T14:30:23","date_gmt":"2011-09-18T21:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=1398"},"modified":"2019-05-30T14:09:57","modified_gmt":"2019-05-30T21:09:57","slug":"1398","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2011\/09\/18\/1398\/","title":{"rendered":"Gracefest 2011: Music with a message"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gracefest<\/a><\/p>\n

PALMDALE \u2013 Hundreds or residents of all ages converged on the Palmdale Amphitheater Saturday for Gracefest AV 2011. Organizers said the event was a chance to unite the many churches throughout the Antelope Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important thing that has happened here at Gracefest AV is a lot of people from many churches have come together to worship Jesus, to talk with one another, to promote unity in our community, to pray for one another, to listen to the message and the music, and to just worship the Lord,\u201d said Prayer Member David Woodman.<\/p>\n

The event held something for all ages. For children there was face painting, a rock climbing wall, and a Dora the Explorer inflatable bounce house.<\/p>\n

For adults the event held inspirational speakers like Sean Smith, raffles and more than a dozen vendors selling merchandise with a Christian message. And for teens, there was up-to-date music performed by popular Christian acts like Sarah Kelly and the Group 1 Crew.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe music is real up-to-date music,\u201d said 17-year-old Anthony Wells, of Lancaster United Methodist Church. \u201cIt is making everybody feel good about themselves and not being scared to show their feelings for God.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good experience where you can come and hang with your family, have a good spiritual experience, and just chill with God,\u201d said 16-year-old Dillon Marx of Lancaster United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n

Gracefest AV 2011 began Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer rally and culminated Saturday with an all day festival at the Palmdale Amphitheater. Headline performances featured top Christian contemporary artists Lincoln Brewster, Group 1 Crew, Rush of Fools and Sarah Kelly. GraceFest AV is a fundraiser for the Kids Charities of the Antelope Valley. Festival proceeds go to numerous local Christian schools to provide further education. The following are some sights from Gracefest AV on Saturday.<\/p>\n