SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2021
10AM TO 9PM
YAVAPAI COUNTY COURTHOUSE PLAZA
PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
"Hope FEST Arizona is one of those events and gatherings that generates such goodwill as to truly make a difference in people’s lives. Not only is it a celebration event, with lots of fun, but it is a connection event, bringing services and people together for the common good. As the Chief of Police for the City of Prescott, I am encouraged by this outpouring of resources that will be on display for any and all who wish to receive them and change the circumstances of their life for the better."
Jerald Monahan - Chief of Police
On a cold and snowy Saturday afternoon in December 2011, a handful of Northern Arizona Celebrate Recovery Leaders laid the foundation for HOPE FEST Arizona. They possessed the burning desire to reach out, share, serve and care for our hurting neighbors. How could we show our neighbors what a healing, recovery in-process life looks like? We looked at facts, research and statistics affecting people needing solutions locally. Those jaw-dropping numbers spoke to us very loudly… bringing us to tears and then, moved us into action!
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Justin Unger – Worship Pastor, Songwriter and gifted musician approached David and Jaye Lene Long, Celebrate Recovery Ministry leaders at the Heights Church in Prescott. Justin challenged the Long’s to take Celebrate Recovery beyond the walls of the church.
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The Celebrate Recovery Steps that propelled us to act:
Step 12: “Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Principle 8: “Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.”
The vision was born to take Celebrate Recovery to the streets… to be God’s love in action. No matter where we are on the ‘ladder of life’ we don’t have to wait until a certain ‘step’ to serve one another.
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Hope Fest Arizona was launched in 2012, an all-day, safe and fun, family festival proclaiming the Good News and the true freedom from all hurts, hang-ups and habits is available to all who seek it… to be Agents of Change for a better community.
We challenged our community to evaluate the definition of Recovery? We all have certain things in common - Pain, Anger, Fear, Pride, Unforgiveness etc. The message of “Freedom Is Possible” was shared and reflected through the community outreach. The Festival was warmly received and we discovered our community was hungry for the purpose we were called.
In 2013 Hope Serves Family Resource Fair, was founded and designed to purposely partner with area recovery organizations as well as civic, faith, and business leaders to unite, mobilize and serve our Veterans, Homeless, Hungry, those affected by Domestic Violence, and their families in the Greater Prescott Area. Connecting meaningful services: Health, Housing, Recovery, Education, Job opportunities, Family resources such as Adoption & Foster care, Elder care and so much more to show that Change IS Possible.
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It may be their hurts, habits and hang-ups that resulted in their current situation, and may be the reason why they are stuck or feel trapped. Helping people connect with meaningful services and showing them that their situation is NOT the end of the story but only the new road to healing and a promising, new hope-filled beginning!
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2014 year saw over 160 organizations and 100 volunteers come together to impact countless lives because many people chose to make a difference –a significant contribution to Be Part of the Solution to this all-volunteer direct-services community outreach.
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2015 saw the birth of the Fostering Hope Award. The award was created to grow more complete in our mission by shining a spotlight a on a very special local non-profit charitable organization or ministry that makes a measurable contribution to our community and exhibits an outstanding commitment to affirm and support hope while providing opportunities that change lives right here in our community. Arizona Shine Radio was the 2015 winner and was acknowledged with a very special main-stage presentation during Hope Fest Arizona in front of thousands.
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2016 finds Hope Fest Arizona consistently growing every year in huge proportions i.e. approx. 6,500 in attendance, 3 stages, 170 Vendors / Service Provider, 180 volunteers. The 2016 Fostering Hope Award winner was CASA for Kids Foundation of Yavapai County, presented with a bouquet of flowers, an award certificate and $1000 gift. Other 2016 accomplishments: Hope Fest Arizona met 100% of the United Blood Services Blood Drive goal, Dental services provided by 18 local dentists, a wide variety of Veteran service groups assisted more than 500 Veteran Families, the Family Fun Zone was abuzz with music, dancers, actors, carnival games, face-painting and so much more. The event also enjoyed more media coverage than ever before.
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HOPE FEST Arizona has quickly grown in 8 years to become the largest Christian Festival in Northern Arizona. Hope Fest Arizona keeps growing every year with its heart for Christ-centered ministry. Having developed a solid reputation, HOPE FEST Arizona continues to bring incredible Christian Music Artists, Speakers and Performers to share their talents. Past years the annual Festival has hosted: Matt Maher, SELAH, Todd Agnew, the Rhett Walker Band, 33 Miles, Brian Weaver, Jon Gibson, Mia Koehne, Covenant31, Skylee Shea and many more. Every year Artist brings their very best to this FREE community outreach. 2019 guests will enjoy a wide variety of talented musicians in the park-like setting of Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza.
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Prescott’s grass-roots event is growing in momentum, awareness and the abundance of organizations that share our vision and passion to reach the hurting in our area. Our hope is that we continue to let the mission BE PART of the SOLUTION carry on in a growing legacy by continuing to seek and foster relationships that grow ALL of us and make us stronger. The challenge is to get people to think wider and bigger: Recovery? Yes. Faith-based? Yes… AND so much more because of all the amazing friends and partner service organizations we’ve welcomed along the way who want to Be Part of the Solution!
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Come join our hope-filled prayers, efforts and dreams, as we prepare to engage our community. Change IS Possible through His Extravagant Transformation! We are far better together than ever imagined! Join us for Hope Fest Arizona 2019 – our 8th year!