AMERICUS — The crowd came in groups, and then still had some trickling in after 6 p.m., but the head count was between 300 to 500 on the attendance at the Fired Up 2010 Christian Youth Rally on Aug. 21 at the GSW Storm Dome. It was an awesome night of Christian fun, praise, singing, dancing and decisions. God was in the dome.

The night started off the night with videos, music and prize drawings. First on stage was the Corey Brooks Band, which got the crowd started right with an awesome sound ... then on was Julian Drive, who gave another great performance with their music, leading up to the drama and message from Mission Georgia Master’s Commission. A special thanks goes out to thank Brad Gleeson, Dean Long and Daniel Whitt for their parts as emcees and speakers that night, as well. Mission Georgia finished up with an altar call that touched all within hearing distance.

There were many decisions on salvation made that night as well as rededications from young and old. This event was not just for the youth, but geared toward the youth; however, many adults were in attendance as volunteers, youth leaders and guests.

Many sponsors, volunteers and neighboring churches assisted. Thank you to Adam’s Grocery, Bear Creek Hunting Preserve, Citizen’s Bank, Cobra Trucking, and Mom’s Kitchen in Preston. Thank you to Bobby Jones Insurance, Country Vista Campgrounds, Partner’s Propane, K&L Forest Nursery, Moon-Rogers Motor Company, The Dime Store, Morgan Grocery and Union United Methodist Church in Buena Vista/Marion County. Thank you to JWD Home Builders in Ellaville. Thank you to Doctor’s Pharmacy, Georgia 2-Way Radio, McDonald’s Restaurant, Peachstate Powder Coatings, Premium Gold Buyers, Regional Eye Center, Shiver Lumber Company, Harper’s Animal Clinic, Precision Automotive, Austin Urethane, J&L Ag Service, First Franklin Financial, Farmers Feed and Seed Service, O’Reilly Automotive and Plains Pharmacy in Americus/Plains and Sumter County. This event would not have been possible had it not been for the financial sponsors that donated.

There were also businesses that donated items for prizes and give-aways, drinks, radios and other services. Thank you to Kennedy Installations in Preston, as well as Piggly Wiggly and IGA in Richland. Thank you to AG Photography and Rainbow Needles in Buena Vista. Thank you to Southwest Trophy and Gifts, Jameson Inn and Global Graphics in Americus.

A big thank you goes out to those that helped in advertising and promoting the event over the last few months, including WISK 98.7 FM Americus and The TRUTH 88.5 FM Columbus, the Tri-County Journal, Patriot-Citizen and Americus Times Recorder and GSW-Americus.

There were also personal donations and anonymous donations made throughout the last few months and THANK YOU to all of those individuals and businesses. THANK YOU to the many volunteers that came and said let me help. THANK YOU to the youth leaders and churches that made sure their young people were there that night. THANK YOU to the groups that came and gave awesome performances. THANK YOU GOD for allowing this to happen right here ... right now.

This was indeed a COMMUNITY event sponsored by your local community, local businesses, churches and volunteers. GOD had an amazing presence at the Storm Dome that night ... and he left with each and every one in attendance. It was overwhelming to see so many different groups represented.