Concert raises a record-setting $7,000 Saturday evening at First Church of God
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Above, the kaleidoscope of color on stage was a focal point during the "Raise the Roof" concert at First Church of God Saturday night -- an event that set a fundraising record for the church's missions activities in Haiti. Below, at top, band member Scott Booker is showered in an orange light during a guitar solo. Below, at bottom, the event's coordinator, John Alcock, sings with passion.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Brightly colored lights hit the stage, illuminating the stars of the evening, a group of musically inclined members of First Church of God in Columbia City. Behind them, a large screen showed the words of the songs so that the audience might sing along. In the audience, hands reach toward the sky and voices sang along.
As their voices and the sound of contemporary Christian music enveloped the crowd, they were accomplishing an even greater good.
On Saturday evening, 500 people had a part in helping First Church of God’s “Raise the Roof” to raise a record-setting $7,000 to support the church’s continued missions and to help build a medical facility in Haiti.
According to Andy More, who assisted with Saturday’s event, this was the third time for the event which was coordinated by John Alcock, one of the evening’s performers.
The funds support GAP (Go And Produce) Ministries, a initiative developed by Steve Mossburg who has led several mission trips to Haiti.
“About 80-90 people have gone down to Haiti to help Steve over the years,” More said in the quiet area of the church lobby as the excitement of the concert continued in the sanctuary nearby.
“It was John Alcock’s idea to do this event to help our mission activities,” More continued. This was the third concert presented to support the mission.
One missions team returned from Haiti a week ago and 15 local youths are now preparing to spend their 
spring break there working on construction and schooling projects, according to More.
More was extremely excited about the level of funds raised during Saturday night’s event, saying that when you consider that a good job in Haiti would result in about a $300 per year annual income, $7,000 is quite a sum of money – a sum they’ll be able to put to good use.
For more information about the mission trips to Haiti or to contribute further funds to support the project, contact Steve Mossburg at 610-4748, Andy More at 229-1265 or First Church of God at 244-5959.