It is almost time for Spirit West Coast, the hugely-popular
annual Christian Music Festival which will be held at the Laguna
Seca Recreation Area (near Monterey) July 24 through 26.
It is almost time for Spirit West Coast, the hugely-popular annual Christian Music Festival which will be held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area (near Monterey) July 24 through 26.
This is the seventh year for the event which drew crowds totaling 60,000 when it was held last year, making it the most successful Christian music even on the West Coast.
Besides music by the top artists in the field of Christian music, the festival features comic routines, Bible teaching by gifted speakers, activities for all ages (including camping, sports, and skate-boarding) supported by more than 1,000 volunteers who donate their time to provide security, concessions, ministry, traffic and parking control, ushering and the many other jobs needed to serve such a large audience.
More than 50 music and comedy acts will appear, including:
• Third Day, which won a Grammy Award this year as best rock gospel group and its third Dove award.
• PAX217, a new group from Mission Viejo led by lyricist Dave Tosti.
• Petra, which has sold more than 7 million albums and is the only Christian rock group in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
• KJ52, who was nominated for a Dove award for his hip-hop music.
• Rebecca St. James, a 23-year old Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter who has been performing professionally since she was 16.
Ministry also is an important part of Spirit West Coast, from the spiritual message of the music being performed to the Gospel messages preached and taught at various sessions throughout the day and night. Evangelism happens at “altar calls,” or “decision times,” when participants are given opportunities to publicly accept Jesus as their Savior. More than 2,000 people have made this commitment during the past six festivals.
There are also prayer tents with counselors present, evangelism training sessions, new believers’ classes, and opportunities to receive the sacrament of baptism, as well as many worship opportunities throughout the time of the festival.
More than 100 exhibitors will set up displays to inform festival-goers about available merchandise, art, music, and ministries.
Children are a major focus of the family-friendly festival, with many trained adults ministering to them through age-appropriate shows like singing, magic, puppetry, and juggling through a partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship. A special area on the festival grounds called Camp Zacchaeus offers many fun kid activities: face painting, crafts, bounce house, and petting zoo.
The cost per day of festival admission is $46 (adults), $25 (juniors ages 6-11), and under six years of age free. Discounts are available for three-day tickets. For more information about Spirit West Coast call 408-371-9232 or check the Internet at www.spiritwestcoast.org.
