Twitter

By Jill Runfola

Community Boots on the Ground ministry held a festival on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 9th Street Park in Monessen. The festival was sponsored by Legacy Monessen, and was part of a full schedule of activities to kick-off the week-end.

Helping out at the Legacy Monessen Festival are (front – L to R): Pastor Debbie Whitlock, Minister Denise Ross, and Starlyn Ross (holding Melody Ross, age 1). (Back L to R): Pastor Lance Whitlock and Scott Ross.

Attendees to the festival enjoyed plenty of great food, refreshments, games, and prizes. Entertainment featured singers, Christian rappers, and dancers, such as the praise group “Eden” from St. John University in New York and “Sinai” dance group, also from New York City. There were featured speakers on hand for the event as well, such as Monessen’s Michael Bright, now a CEO for the YMCA in New Jersey, and Pastor James Burnett from California, Vack Harmon from Mt. Pleasant, Pa, and Minister Denise Painter Ross’ son, Alvin oss.
“This is the second year for this event,” said event coordinator, Denise Painter Ross, Minister at Legacy International Church in Washington, Pa. “We did so well last year. We just want to reach out to the community and show them love. There have been so many overdoses and hatred and different things in the world, and I just want us to come together in God’s unity and love.” The Boots on the Ground Festival is dedicated in loving memory to Minister Denise Ross’ mother-in-law, Dorothy Edwards.

Pastor Debbie Whitlock added that Legacy International already has five churches, and they are getting ready to launch Legacy Monessen in September. It will be in the NAACP building located at 422, 6th St. If you are interested in learning more, or wish to make a donation, you can visit the Legacy Monessen Facebook page or contact Minister Ross at 724-431-5006.