There are plenty of back-to-school giveaways this time of the year, but at The Spot’s Back2School Celebration, Concert & Supply Giveaway on Friday, August 7, students will also get refueled and refreshed mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the coming school year. It takes place on the grounds of Living Word Christian Center (LWCC), 7600 W. Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, IL, sponsored by the GO HARD For Christ Youth Ministry. Last year students tweeted and texted praises to their friends and social media followers, sharing the encouragement and motivation they received from the speakers and musical artists, and from the “hard-core” prayer of blessing and protection that was spoken over them. Find out more at www.gohardforchrist.com.

Here’s What’s Happening August 7th

3:00PM to 6:00PM

Supply Giveaway & Free Food (LWCC PARKING LOT) – Students (grades K-12) should arrive at 3 PM sharp, to receive a free GO HARD t-shirt, plus a free backpack filled with grade-and age-appropriate supplies (while quantities last). Students must be present to receive school supply giveaways. Youth and their families can also enjoy activities like 3-on-3 basketball tourneys, a bounce house, water slide, carnival games, dunk tank and more.

4:30PM

Celebration Concert – Teens can rock, worship and celebrate with JMJ, a young trio with a new age sound and lyrics that resonate in the heart. Their debut album, “Out The Dark” was released November 2014. www.jmjotd.com

6:00PM to 9:00PM

More Music, Fun & A Special Guest (INDOOR ANNEX) – Enjoy the very tall and extremely funny Joseph Solomon, poet, singer,and host of ChaseGodtv webisodes, Pursuit of God In Everyday Life. See his latest video on YouTube at Joseph Solomon “Standing Tall.”

Youth ministry leaders Pastor David Winston and his wife Niki explain, “This isn’t your typical back-to-school event. City and suburban students can encounter violence, bullying, anxiety, rejection, self-doubt, isolation and more, during school hours. We want to give students a strong spiritual foundation for the school year, and we’re even encouraging them to do Bible clubs, as well. We’re committed to giving spiritual support and encouragement to any youth in need. Our GO HARD For Christ website also has a prayer confession concerning grades. Students need to know that God has plans for their life—good plans for their future, no matter the circumstances or challenges they face. We encourage students to connect with us to ‘ask any questions about common issues teens face.'”

Pastor David wants all teens to know they are always invited to the regularly scheduled GO HARD For Christ Wednesday night worship service at Living Word Christian Center in the Annex. Special props, backdrops, contemporary music and out-of-the-box teaching make these services special. Visit www.gohardforchrist.com to learn more and to discover additional activities, programs and events taking place throughout the year.