Amplify music festival brings thousands to Benton; recovery ministry volunteers

BENTON, Ark. – Tens of thousands of people gathering in Benton this weekend for the nation’s largest free Christian music festival. For a group of women, this concert is another step in a different journey, the journey to recovery.

The crowds are packed in ready for Amplify, a Christian music festival in Benton.

Wearing orange t-shirts, women in the John 3:17 ministry organization are volunteering, like Abigail Gathright.

“Yearlong faith-based ministry for women with addictions,” Gathright said.

These women are in recovery and found the lord through John 3:17.

This concert is about more than just listening to Christian music says Sylvana Rhoads.

“I’m no longer smoking, I’m no longer doing drugs, I’m just getting closer to him,” Rhoads said.

For some, it’s their first sober concert. Kasey Carmona said the organization saved her life.

“I could never imagine years ago that I would be at a Christian concert sober, serving and helping people,” Carmona said.

They’re helping spread the word, which is what festival director Josh Turner says has been the goal from the start.

“The idea behind it is to get the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death, burial, and resurrection to as many people as possible,” Turner said.

Christany Price said it’s changed her life.

“It’s nice to know that I can have clean fun, something that I wasn’t used to, but its letting me know I can live again,” Price said.

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