PHOTO BY PRESCOTT JAMES Enlarge Image

The Meridian Interchurch Council is planning a youth rally for April 21 to be hosted at the Starbuck Hall.

A group of Macdonald-based church organizations is hoping to help young people in the region renew their faith.

The Meridian Youth Rally will take place April 21beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Starbuck Hall. It is being organized by the Meridian Interchurch Council as a way to reconnect young people with their faith.

"We are initiating this youth rally to reach out to the young people of Macdonald," said Steve Bock, a La Salle resident and member of the council.

"As a committee we have joined together and are all really excited to connect with young people because we see a big need for it. Life has become increasingly difficult to navigate for all young people so we wanted to create an event that would bring young people together from our churches and our community."

Bock said the event is being geared specifically to Grade 6 to 12 students.

It will feature live and recorded music, food, games, a guest speaker and a film festival featuring short works produced by Macdonald area youth.

"The theme for the event is My God and Me, so kids are going to be encouraged to make a video and in the end we will show the top three films and hand out prizes," said Ron Vert, a council member and pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck.

"They have to keep the three categories in mind when they are making the film, those being acceptance, truth and kindness," Bock added. "There is even going to be a red carpet ceremony for the contestants."

Bock said that the guest speaker for the evening will be La Salle resident Justin Willems.

"He is a young person from La Salle...who is going to share with us a bit of his faith journey," he said, adding that the council has also booked Christian band Reinstate to perform.

The Meridian Interchurch Council is comprised of representatives of seven churches in the RM of Macdonald. The organization meets once a month to discuss church matters and plan events. Bock said this is the first youth oriented event the organization has organized.

Tickets for the event are $10. For more information check out the youth rally’s Facebook page at facebook.com/meridianyouthrally or email the group at meridianyouthrally@gmail.com.

facebook.com/TheHeadlinerWpg
Twitter: @HDLYHeadliner

prescott.james@canstarnews.com