A Ferris wheel, auctions, and a free concert by Christian artists Zach Williams and Josh Baldwin are just a few planned activities for Unity Fest at John 3:16 Ministries.
As always, John 3:16 will have a jam-packed, full-day schedule for Unity Fest, which will be on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the camp located at 75 Holmes Road in Charlotte.
Gates open at 9 a.m., and admission and all carnival rides are free starting at 10 a.m. Concessions will be for sale, including barbecue sandwiches, drinks, funnel cakes, snow cones, and more.
A live auction will start at 10 a.m., and a silent auction will be set up until 5 p.m.
Dale Scrivner, a John 3:16 board member, has also donated a 2000 Harley-Davidson Softail custom chopper to be given away at the event. (The winner does not have to be present to win.)
Bryan Tuggle, the camp’s founder and director, said several years ago, when they were planning the first Unity Fest, they were trying to figure out a name for the event.
“Jesus came and brought unity, so we combined that with the word ‘festival,’” he said.
Tuggle said that John 3:16 hosted Unity Fest on the White River at Riverside Park in Batesville for years, but the event eventually outgrew the space.
“Now, when people come to Unity Fest at our camp, they get to see why we are here,” he said. “We are doing this to lift up the name of Jesus and to glorify Him in all that we do. Jesus is all about bringing unity, and that’s what we do. We will have thousands of people here, including our residents, that we are reuniting with their families.”
“John 3:16 didn’t ever fix anybody. John 3:16 didn’t fix me. The relationship with Jesus is what fixed me,” said James Ashley, a graduate who became one of the first instructors at the camp. “And John 3:16 isn’t a perfect place, but we teach the perfect One, and that’s the opportunity that everyone, not just residents, who come to this place have to know Jesus.”
Just like Unity Fest, there is no charge for a man to attend John 3:16. Tuggle explains to those driving into the camp for the first time that the cross at the entrance is empty — Jesus died and rose again. “That paid the price right there, the eternal price.”
Tuggle said they appreciate the corporate sponsors who helped make this carnival and concert free for the public.
Williams, who is originally from Jonesboro, is known for his hits like “Fear Is a Liar,” “Rescue Story,” “Less Like Me,” “Heaven Help Me,” “Old Church Choir,” and his duet with Dolly Parton, “There Was Jesus.” Williams and Parton have also collaborated on a second single, “Lookin’ For You,” that was recently released as part of Williams’ new album, “A Hundred Highways.” He has earned multiple Grammy and Dove Awards for his work.
Opening for Williams at 7 p.m. will be Bethel Music Collective artist Josh Baldwin (pictured below). Baldwin’s newest album, “Made For More,” is his second live worship album, following his 2022 release, “Where The Glory Is.” Baldwin’s gold-certified single, “Stand in Your Love,” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Christian charts and garnered his first K-Love nominations as Breakout Single of the Year and Worship Song of the Year.
There will be some seating available, but attendees are welcome to bring chairs and blankets as well.
John 3:16 will celebrate its 21st anniversary this year, helping men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. A women’s ministry was added in 2023.
For more information about Unity Fest or John 3:16 men’s and women’s ministries, call (870) 799-2525, visit John316thecure.com, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Promotional images provided by John 3:16
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