WHEELING — There’s going to be gospel music down at the Ohio River in Wheeling this month, and at least four churches in the area won’t be convening a Sunday morning so that they can attend and “help raise the community.”

The third annual “Gospel Fest” is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. July 20 at Wheeling Heritage Port. In the event of rain, the event will take place in the lobby of the nearby WesBanco Arena.

Admission is free, but an offering will be taken during the festival to benefit victims of recent floods locally.

“We have a minimum of four churches who are closing their morning worships down to come be outside and lift spirits up,” said Bishop Darrell Cummings of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling. “When is the last time you heard that? Sunday morning worship is the church’s main event, and they are closing their main event to say community and lifting the spirits is more important than individual needs.”

Participating churches who are moving their Sunday worship to the waterfront are Greater Zion Temple in Steubenville, Apostolic Faith Temple in Martins Ferry, Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, and Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly in Weirton.

“We have churches who are giving up their sanctuaries inside the wall and coming out to a greater sanctuary which is by the river,” explained Clarissa Speaker, interim pastor at Greater Zion Temple. “We are going to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There’s going to be singing and dancing and just enjoying the Lord outside so that others can come be a part.

“Even though we are closing our churches, our members will come. Other members will come. And other churches seem to find their way over to the river after their services. It’s just a wonderful thing to have to serve the Lord and let people know that inside or outside, Jesus is still Lord. It makes no difference.”

As for her role in the festival, Speaker indicated she won’t be involved as a performer.

“I will be clapping my hands and stomping my feet and listening to the music,” she said. “I don’t sing. Possibly, I will be praying.”

Speaker added that church members involved with outreach ministry will be present to pray with those who need it.

“Whoever shows up – they are welcome to listen to the music, and listen to the words,” she said. “Whatever your mode of worship is, you will be able to express that out in the open.”

It is sometimes good for churches to be outside their sanctuaries, she continued.

“We recognize we might lose as far as offerings, and everyone might not feel comfortable coming outside – depending on the heat status, or if it rains,” Speaker said. “But we are all there to praise the glory of God in our own way.”

Cummings explained three years ago he was approached by Wheeling officials who thought a gospel festival would be a nice addition to events at Heritage Port, and they asked if he would arrange one.

“We started small, and we’re probably reaching medium,” he said. “We’re excited that more and more people are buying into it. Last year, we had people from Pittsburgh, Columbus and Cleveland. We’re going to do the same and more this year.”

The festival is mainly “music with a message,” Cummings explained. In addition, there will be some interpretive dance, flag dancing, and guitar and trumpet solos.

There will even be food trucks.

“Most of all, it will be inspiring and fun,” he said. “Bring your lawn chair. Bring your umbrella – maybe for the heat or maybe for the rain.

“We’re hoping at 10:30 a.m. the sun comes out, the praise comes out and the blessings go down.”

Among those performing will be Pastor Matthew Quivers and the Apostolic Faith Temple Choir of Martins Ferry; the Bethlehem Apostolic Praise Team Ministry of Wheeling; and Sister Andrea Duska of the Bethlehem Apostolic Church.

Cummings said there is still room for additional acts, and any gospel music act is invited to come perform. Those interested should contact Cummings at Bethlehem Temple at 304-233- 8899.