LEWISTOWN - Two local churches are bringing musician and writer Gabriel Allred for two special worship events in June.
A Night of Worship with Allred will be held at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Grace Covenant Church, 205 Washington Ave., Lewistown, and 7 p.m. June 4 at the Abundant Life Ministry Center, William Penn Highway between Mexico and Thompsontown.
Allred is the worship director at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. With more than 16 years of worship leading experience, Allred's passion is to simply host the presence of the Lord, according to a press release about Allred. His innovative acoustic guitar playing, soaring voice and prophetic edge are the tools the Lord has given him to lead in worship, the release states.
He has written numerous contemporary Christian worship songs including, "We Are Yours," "He Is," "Son Of God" and "Deeper Places," the release states.
Last year, when Grace Covenant hosted the Christ for the Nations tour, more than 400 people attended, said Ernie Solt, one of the local organizers.
Allred, who trains the Christ for the Nations teams, has a worship style that "pulls you right along with him," Solt said.
While worship of the Lord is the main goal of the evening, Solt said they also hope to make it a night of outreach by asking people to bring canned goods for local food pantries the Hand of Grace in Mifflin County and the Abundant Harvest Food Bank in Juniata County.
"We're going through thousands of pounds of food every month," Solt said of Hand of Grace, the food ministry of Grace Covenant.
In May, volunteers packed 540 boxes of food for local families, Solt said.
"Our purpose is to fulfill Matthew 22: 37-39, where we are charged to love God with all our being - expressed through our worship, and to love others as we love ourselves - expressed by providing food for the poor," Solt said.
The local concerts are free, and a free will offering will be taken. For more information about Allred, visit www.gabrielallred.com.
