Sunday Fellowship in Colorado

George McHendry, Enterprise columist
Posted: 06/17/2010 12:00:00 AM MDT

I recently attended Harvest Fellowship Church for a Saturday evening worship service, and it was a great experience.
The Saturday service is at 6 p.m., and there are two services on Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Prior to the first Sunday service, there is a prayer service from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Harvest Fellowship is at 11401 E. 160th Ave., basically on Colo. 7 east of Northern Hills Church, this side of downtown Brighton.

The last time I visited the church, it had just moved from its location at a school in Brighton. The founding pastor at the church is Steven Blackwell, and one of the things that is encouraging about the church is Blackwell and his staff have gone from a church that began in the basement of his home to a near-new facility and membership of about 500 adults. At the service, there was mention of starting a building fund for a gymnasium, so there are plans to get even bigger.

One of the things I really love about the church is the coffee bar and the area where folks just get together to talk and share. I arrived at the service about 20 minutes early, and there was a large group of adults just hanging out and talking. It took more than 17 years to come to where it is now, but it`s obvious the church is strong in faith and finances, and it will continue to grow.

Before the service, I spent some time talking to Blackwell, who had just returned from a two-week vacation to southern California and Disneyland. He has a great sense of humor (both in person and at the pulpit), and I really enjoyed meeting him and his adorable granddaughter before the service to chat about church stuff. He used a number of photos from his trip to California to help illustrate his message on humility.

The worship style at the church is contemporary, and the service begins with a session of praise and worship music, followed by prayer and the message by Blackwell. I couldn`t help but notice that women make up the majority of the worship band. Normally men make up the majority of a band at a church, but at Harvest, women rule.

The drive from Broomfield to Harvest Fellowship is only about 15 to 20 minutes, and it might just be the church for which you`ve been looking. Harvest is involved in a number of mission projects, and strongly believes in small group ministry throughout the week. The phone number is 303-654-9894 and the Web site is harvestbrighton.org. The site is well put together and contains a great deal of information about the church and the folks who are part of the church.

Heavenfest coming soon

Yes friends, Heavenfest is back, and it`s going to be bigger than ever. The date this year is July 31. Gates will open at 10 a.m., and the all-day event will run from noon to midnight. Because of the traffic chaos last year, when the event was held next to Northern Hills Church on Colo. 7, it has moved north to Union Reservoir in Longmont, 461 County Road 26.

The musical lineup is amazing, with the cream of the Christian crop on hand to perform on seven stages on 300 acres. Heading the lineup will be Grammy winners Casting Crowns, and they will be joined by the likes of Kutless, Mary Mary, Barlow Girl, Sanctus Real, Phil Wickham and 60-plus bands that most of us haven`t heard of, but are working their way up the ladder in hopes of attaining fame and fortune in Christian music.

Tickets this year are $35 for adults, $19 for ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and younger. They can be purchased at King Soopers stores, online at TicketsWest.com or by phone at 866-464-2626. Parking will be $5 per vehicle; on-site camping is available Friday and Saturday night. For more information check out heavenfest.com.

Free water will be provided, but you need to bring your own container. Food vendors will be there, and there will be plenty of toilets. Other features include the Kidz Area, a skate park and swimming at the reservoir.

Last year, more than 10,000 people turned out for Heavenfest. This year, my guess is it will be even bigger. The weather has been great each year since Heavenfest began. Let`s just hope this year the rain and the heat stay away as well.

E-mail George McHendry at Georgemchendry@aol.com.