Following a last-minute cancellation of the 2020 Winterfest from March 2020, Youth and Discipleship officials are moving forward with Winterfest 2021, slated for just two weeks away April 30 – May 2, 2021. The event will be staged outdoors at the Smokies Stadium in Sevierville, Tenn.
“The goal of Winterfest is to see our sons and daughters saved, to see prodigals come home, and to see the Holy Spirit poured out, empowering this generation to live out the great commission!” said Rob Bailey with Church of God Youth and Discipleship. “Winterfest is a Pentecostal student ministry conference and worship experience of the highest caliber.”
This year’s Winterfest speakers and musical guests include:
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Reggie Dabbs: The busiest and most successful school assembly speaker;.
Todd Tilghman: From Meridian, Mississippi, Todd is a Church of God pastor best known as the winner of the 18th season of the talent series, The Voice.
Brandon Holt: Gifted and soulful gospel singer, songwriter and musician. Along with his wife, Alisa, they will be leading in worship.
For King and Country: a Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. This multi-Grammy winning contemporary Christian band will entertain the attendees with an audio/visual and light show, and positive Pentecostal message.
Voices of Lee: directed by Danny Murray, the 15-member a cappella group from Lee University has appeared around the globe;
Dante Bowe: Of the worship band, Maverick City, Dante will be leading Winterfest attendees in worship.
In addition, evangelists Brian Bullock, Chris Estrada and newly added speaker for Saturday morning Sharo Ramkelowan will bring Pentecostal messages.
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“This year we have added a Saturday morning service at 10:00 am (never been offered at Smoky Mountain Winterfest), and there will also be a virtual service on Sunday morning.” Bailey added. “The virtual service can be watched in a hotel or cabin on Sunday morning if groups are able to remain in town. Or the virtual service can be watched on the bus ride home for those needing to return to their church for Sunday morning service. Some may even wish to download the virtual service and watch it on a Wednesday night or other youth event for those who were unable to join, or for those who wish to remember the encounter they had!”
On Saturday night there will be a special commemoration of the ministry of David C. Blair, director who passed away unexpectedly last month. Blair gave over 37 years to Winterfest and served as International Director of Youth & Discipleship from 2016-2021.
“The outpouring of love and support toward Janet and the Blair family has been overwhelming and we are looking forward to honoring David’s legacy in a number of ways on Saturday,” Bailey said.
Chairman of the Winterfest Committee, DeWayne Moree added, “Winterfest is one of the few events for students that is of the Wesleyan Pentecostal tradition. Moreover, it is the only conference that is distinctively Church of God, allowing students of like faith to engage in corporate worship which often leads to these students being catalysts for revival in their respective local churches.”
Attendees will be asked to follow protocols as recommended by the CDC and local and state ordinances at the time of the event.
To register or find out more details, visit mywinterfest.com [3].