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‘Idol’ Mandisa’s message shines
Published 12:00pm Monday, July 21, 2008An outreach concert in Pelican Rapids Saturday included some big names and brought community members in attendance to their feet.
In its second year, At the River is a worship concert hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. It was first organized last year by members of the church’s outreach group, along with worship leader Linda Grefsrud, who had long dreamed of bringing the Christian ensemble “Salvador” to Pelican Rapids. The result of their efforts was a free outdoor concert that brought about 1,000 people to Trinity’s parking lot one night last summer.
“This isn’t just about having a concert for our church,” said Grefsrud, who directs the event. “This is about bringing the community together.”
At the River returned Saturday, this time headlined by Mandisa, a finalist on the fifth season of “American Idol.” The concert also featured “Heart of the City,” a 22-member ensemble out of the Twin Cities, as well as Argentinean worship leader Freddie Colloca, and the At the River Band, comprised of Pelican Rapids residents.
Different styles of music reach different types of people, Grefsrud said, and a goal of the concert was to bring many styles together.
At the River is funded entirely by donations, Grefsrud said. After organizers totaled last year’s contributions, they had about $200 more than the concert’s $22,000 cost. Grefsrud estimated Saturday’s event at $28,000 and said the church is still totaling the donations. Attendees at the concert had an opportunity to give to an offering; At the River also benefits from support from several Pelican Rapids businesses.
To learn more about At the River and this year’s artists, visit www.attheriver.net.
