A Blessed Evening in Leesburg

Photographs courtesy of Anthony Glasgow.

Second Mount Olive Baptist Church of Hamilton, VA sponsored the very inspiring “Gifts Within” – the third Bi-Annual Project Blessings Program and Family Entertainment Night on Saturday, July 25, at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg.

The MC for the evening was Rev. Garrett Jackson of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Aldie, VA.

Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd provided a special welcome. Mayor Umstattd has previously attended the 2011 and 2013 events. “The Gifts Within event is always tremendously uplifting. It speaks to all of us who love Christ and want Him to be a constant presence in our lives. I always leave this very spiritual experience with a sense of joy and contentment,” she said.

Event Chairperson Gladys Burke offered a special thank you to all the performers who had traveled from various locations throughout Northern Virginia to bless us with their talents and testimonies through music, song and dance unto the Lord. Chairperson Burke concluded by saying, “Spread the good news and bring a friend the next time.”

Soloist Rev. Evelyn Henderson King, pastor of Greater Gospel Church, Lorton, VA began the evening with several uplifting gospel songs.

Rev. King was followed by Minister Evan Newman and Promise (community choir based primarily out of Warrenton/Fauquier County) and then I AM Bread (Ami Byers and Brade Byers) of Grace Road Baptist Church, Purcellville, VA.

The Mount Calvary Baptist Church Adult Liturgical Dancers from Fairfax, VA concluded the first half of the evening, rendering several praise dances.

After intermission, the Gospel Angels of Washington, D.C. performed their newly released popular hits “Turn it Around” and “God Is Good” that are being played worldwide in countries like South Africa, Canada, Germany, Barbados, Japan and Korea.

The popular Usher’s Walk, comprising ushers from many local churches, concluded the evening performances.

Rev. George Mink, Pastor, Second Mount Olive Baptist Church provided the Closing Remarks.

Second Mount Olive Baptist Church, located in Hamilton, VA, was founded in 1892. The congregation desires to exalt God and encourage Christians toward spiritual maturity. Outreach programs like Family Entertainment Night - The Gifts Within assist the Church in bringing the gospel to life in the local community.

The congregation would like to thank the attendees, patrons, sponsors and vendors for their gracious support of the Gifts Within program. The proceeds will help Second Mount Olive to offer this program as a FREE annual event as well as continue their ongoing expansion of the church building. Proceeds will also support community service programs, such as the following:

• Francis and Remond Bible Institute: This institution was established in 1993, offering certified non-denominational bible studies to members and non-members.

• Vacation Bible School: A free vacation bible school, now in its 23rd year, held at Second Mount Olive annually as an outreach to the community. The church accepts students from all areas of Loudoun County. Free transportation and meals are provided. The classes include those attending pre-school through high school.

• Youth Ministry: Embraces all children of school age for growth in character building, good citizenship and training in church business matters. Additionally, the youth ministry encourages the development of natural abilities and talents so that they can be used in service to God.

• Women’s Ministry: Serves the church and the local community by promoting and involving women in missions’ outreach, mentoring, prayer, nurturing and encouraging one another. The Church provides retreats for women, health and benefit workshops, and interpersonal relationship building through fellowship.

• Missionary Ministry: Continues to provide a service to the residents of the National Rehabilitation Center in Leesburg each month sharing faith and music. Their community outreach provides assistance to families in need at least twice a year through our Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes.

• Prison Ministry: The vision is to remind the inmates that the mind cannot be bound or imprisoned when properly conditioned. Second Mount Olive hopes to encourage and build up the inmates through discipleship and helping with their personal maintenance needs.

For more information about participating in the next bi-annual evening, please contact Gladys Burke at 703-777-3480 or email Gladys at adjenterp@aol.com.
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