Singing for the Mission

Johnston and Wayne County community leaders are sponsoring a Battle of the Church Choirs event called “Singing for the Mission” to be held in Downtown Smithfield on Saturday, May 12. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., choirs from both counties will sing in an effort to raise funds for the Smithfield Rescue Mission. The event will take place on North Third Street between the Johnston County Heritage Center and the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.

Choirs sponsored by local churches will perform a variety of Christian music including gospel, contemporary and traditional singing. The street will be blocked off for the event so spectators can hear their favorite choirs. The event is limited to twelve choirs and each will sing two songs for a total of 15 minutes.

“The sole purpose of this event is to pull the churches within the community together to support a genuine mission right here in our own back yard,” states Linda Ridout, volunteer coordinator for the event. “Paul and Margie Olsen live their lives in the truest from of the teachings of Jesus Christ and it is our responsibility as fellow Christians to assist them in their efforts.”

The need to support and help fund the Smithfield Rescue Mission has become even more apparent during these challenging economic times.

“The Mission’s cause is so important as the Olsens strive to assist and serve the whole Johnston County community,” states Jimmy Bryant, Outreach Pastor of The Bridge Church in Goldsboro and event volunteer. “The Rescue Mission's reach extends far beyond Smithfield's city limits.”

Event organizers hope spectators will be encouraged to remember those persons less fortunate. 100% of the funds raised at Singing for the Mission will go directly to the Smithfield Rescue Mission and will help provide the actual shelter for women, children and men from our community.

The Smithfield Rescue Mission was established in 1977 by Paul and Margie Olsen to extend a helping hand to homeless and hurting people. With a ten dollar donation and a prayer, the Mission's doors were opened in an old mill house on Brogden Road. Over the years, God has grown the Smithfield Rescue Mission, and has met the needs of many people. The Mission is a vibrant and growing ministry located in Johnston County that meets the needs of surrounding areas and is on the cutting edge of innovative thought in helping those in need through their short and long-term programs. The Olsens state they are devoted to doing what the gospel compels us to do: loving our community, and being the hands and feet of Jesus.

To learn more about the Smithfield Rescue Mission, to donate or to have a choir participate in the Singing for the Mission, please call Linda Ridout at 934-7247 or visit www.smithfieldrescue.org