The Victory Weekend team had a blessed time at the Race Day Center Campground in Bristol, Tennessee, for the Food City 500. The fantastic staff working at the campground was very accommodating and helpful throughout the weekend. Our ministry schedule had to be altered just a little bit as each concert was moved up a day, this is due to the fact that the Bristol race was ran on Saturday night, not the traditional Sunday afternoon.
As the excitement at the track was dying down each night, it was only getting started on the Victory Weekend stage. After both nights of racing, the Jess Zimmerman Band dazzled the fans with their eclectic mix of country, southern rock, and they debuted some of their newest songs as well. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the music as well as the interaction with the band. Due to the threat of rain on the second night, it was decided to hold our “medal ceremony” on Thursday night. We honored 22 heroes with medals and gift bags that included numerous devotional materials and the crowd joined us in a thunderous applause of appreciation for these selfless individuals and their call to duty.
The forecast called for rain during the Friday night concert, but our God intervened. He allowed us to have a full event without any incident! We saw another fantastic crowd. They, again, loved the music and the interaction with the band and the rest of the Victory Weekend team. We held a second “medal ceremony,” where we had the honor of showing our gratitude to 6 more heroes. At the end of this amazing show, we took time to thank the crowd and to pray over them.
A highlight from this weekend was a moment of true ministry. There was a man who was sitting near the Victory Weekend stage all day. He stayed and attended the final concert. After meeting the man, we were told his “story.” His name is Frisco. He was traveling from California to North Carolina. As the concert was ending, he hung around waiting to meet members of the band. The Victory Weekend team did not want to assume he was homeless, though wanted to do something to help him. Earlier that evening, we were blessed to receive a wonderful lasagna dinner. So, the team felt it was appropriate to share a plate with Frisco. After receiving the plate, he was very thankful. He was prayed with and then we parted ways. We came to Bristol to give people a good time, show them the love of Jesus, and we were able to provide for someone’s physical needs at the same time. Isn’t our God awesome?!?!
(A huge “thank you” to Randy and Wanda Burke from DASH Ministries and Harold Yerton for helping us throughout the weekend!)
