Annual 8th Street Mission Banquet returns March 15
Annual 8th Street Mission Banquet returns March 15
Tickets on sale now for ‘ Love in Action’
news@theeveningtimes.com
All the details are handled. Everything is set except the tables. Tickets are available now. It’s one night only.
The 2016 edition of the Eighth Street Mission for Jesus Christ Annual Banquet. West Memphis Police Chief Donald Oakes will bring the key note address Tuesday, March 15 under this year’s banner of “Love in Action.”
Senator Keith Ingram affirmed the work at the mission as he picked up his tickets Thursday.
“Eight Street has grown to meet the needs in the community,” said Ingram. “We have people searching to find themselves and the mission serves as a guide post along the way to put people back into productive society. Without it we’d have many more lost souls than we do now.”
Cost to run the mission is enormous and the banquet is the biggest single fund raiser each year. The mission covers half a city block on the southwest corner of 8th and Broadway.
“You figure 300 free meals a day and heat; the stuff done here is unbelievable,” said friend of the mission Richard Bartchy, “People don’t realize that we receive no federal money. We depend solely on the community just to keep Jesus Christ in our name. We are asking Christ to develop our community.”
Bartchy testified that He had seen the transformational power of the Lord impact 8th Street.
“This all started with a guy in an empty building with a prayer,” said Bartchy. “Our community can do the same thing. This used to be the place that was well known that if it was illegal in Tennessee they brought it over here. This was a sin hole. Look where it went.
We have been so shocked with the turn around God wrought.”
David Pike recommended getting a ticket just to hear the keynote speaker.
“Police Chief Donald Oaks has a real special relationship with the mission going back to his days as a patrolman here in West Memphis,” said Pike. “He really knows how it works here. It will be special.”
Mission Director Larry Brown said the banquet plans are new and improved this year and based on feedback from the last couple of years.
“Doors open earlier this year at 5:00 p.m.,” said Brown. “Custom Catering is preparing the banquet.
We’ve moved to the Civic Center this year.”
Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight.
Churches, groups and businesses are encouraged to buy a table. Tickets are available at the Eighth Street Mission office on East Broadway. Call Richard Bartchy at (901) 412-7696 or the office (870) 735-6010 for information or tickets.
By John Rech