In the early months of 2016, God birthed a fresh idea in the heart and mind of a volunteer. An idea which seemed only possible as a daydream, God molded into a reality. In the late hours of a Monday night, random thoughts were being tossed about in respect of a fun, compelling, and dynamic event, in which various businesses, churches, community groups, non-profits, colleges and schools could be incorporated, with the aim of uniting individuals regardless of race, gender, age or belief system.
With Africa being so ingrained in the roots of a number of our community members, God not only birthed the idea, but grew such an excitement within the hearts of the community to host a Djembe Drum Circle in support of one of our African partner ministries, Kwathu Children’s home, in Livingstone Zambia.
“What is a Djembe Drum Circle?” Simple put, a drum circle is a group of people, from a few to many, sitting with chairs arranged in a circle, experiencing the spontaneous creation of music on a variety of drums and percussion instruments.
Our heart behind the event was for all to experience true Koinonia, a deep unity and fellowship that should exist amongst all Christ followers, the Body of Christ. Communion, joint participation, the “share” in which one has in anything, and joint contribution, all played a vital role in the planning, preparation, and roll out of the event. A beautiful representation of the Body of Christ, actively working together, each part just as important as the other.
“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” – 1 Corinthians 12:18
RE/MAX Over the Mountain associate, George Lawton, blessed this event by serving as the Title Sponsor without hesitation. When looking for the highest quality real estate, look no further than RE/MAX associate, George Lawton, for everything from buying, renting, or selling your home. A4One, an indoor training facility, graciously opened their building as a space to host the event. They use athletics to carry the Gospel throughout every marginalized area of our city. Spark Photography, one of our business partners, who loves weddings, portraits, and capturing any special day in your life, sponsored their time, documenting the fun, eccentric, and often unnoticed, sweet moments of the event. Seeing children smile through butterfly, wild animal, or fairy faces, perfectly painted by a very gifted artist, Magali Serrano, from Pinky Fancy Faces, was such a delight.
Other sponsors provided door prizes, design and promotional materials, event entertainment, loaned us tables and chairs, and/or drums and other musical instruments to make this event possible. These sponsors included:
- 123 Clown
- Grace Klein Construction, Inc.
- Damsel in Defense – Melissa Mann
- The Company 33
- Computer Repair and Virus Removal – Denson Hardy
- Eugene Sailor Studios
- McWane Science Center
- Advocare – JoEllen Brown
- Taziki’s
- Seeds Coffee Company
- The Hedgerow Folk
- Compelled Designs
- The Little Savannah Restaurant
- David Fallin Design
- Inverness Golf and Repair
- Liberty Church
- Horizon Church
- Greystone Elementary School
- Rocky Ridge Elementary School
- Sedberry Consultations
Our vendors included:
- Juice Plus – Carol Hinson
- Harlee’s House of Tutu’s – Kay Parker
- Carley’s Baked Goods – Christine Carley
- Tabitha’s Hands – Britney Hasenkamp
- Hoop for Fitness – Robbie Lewis
- Knots of Love – Laura Edwards
- Time for Tea – Barb Wright
- Kwathu Art – Rachel Linderman
- Pink Zebra – Stefanie Lanier
- Usborne Books – Kathy Wiehl
- ItWorks – Priscilla Smith
- Grace for Ukraine – Suzette Davie
- Seeds Nitro Coffee – Adam Mirra
- BeMoreRandom – Grace Klein Community
- Rodan & Fields – Janet Goins
Drums, instruments, rhythm, music, face painting, clowns, hula hoops, corn hole, baby chickens, food, sweet treats, you name it…we had it! Regardless of experience or ability, the event was a fun cultural learning experience for the whole family.