Three-day tent revival slated for eastern NC

GREENVILLE — A Pitt County-based nonprofit organization led by former world champion water skier and Greenville native Kristi Overton Johnson will put on a three-day tent revival later this month.

Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries is presenting the Revival of Hope event, which is slated for Sept. 19-21 and will include five free events at the venue with speakers from across the country who will lead women’s and men’s conferences as well as nightly services. All events are open to the public and do not require tickets.

The free event at Bayswater Road in the shadow of the old N.C. Forest Service tower, also is open to members of local and regional communities who are seeking strength, freedom, answers, peace and hope.

“More than ever, our community needs a revival of hope. People are hurting. They are tired, concerned for our nation’s future and searching for answers,” Overton Johnson said in an announcement about the event. “I believe that as people from our community gather under that tent, united in the name of Jesus, that God will revive the hearts and minds of residents of eastern North Carolina and beyond, and he will heal our land.”

Overton Johnson will join two dozen speakers and worshippers to share messages of renewal, she said. The lineup includes members of the nonprofit organization’s international ministry team as well as local personalities including East Carolina University baseball coach Cliff Godwin, who will share his story during the Saturday morning men’s conference.

Overton Johnson Ministries directs a number of initiatives including Victorious Living Magazine and prison outreach programs across the United States.

“Our ministry delivers hope across America in our nation’s prisons and jails. Millions have come to know the hope of Jesus,” she said. “I want to bring this same hope to our community. A person doesn’t have to be locked up physically to be incarcerated by their circumstances, emotions, thoughts, finances and relationships. People everywhere need the hope that God can provide. He can restore and revive any person’s life.”

Throughout the week, revival leaders will visit the Pitt County Detention Center to minister to more than 400 incarcerated men and women. In addition, services also will be available to incarcerated individuals nationwide on nearly a million prison tablets and livestreamed to people around the world through social media platforms.

The revival also will include fellowship and community engagement opportunities. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Fred’s Food Truck on Thursday, Chick-fil-A and The Rock Food Truck on Friday and Grill Ville on Saturday. During the morning conferences on Friday and Saturday, complimentary breakfast and Awaken Coffee will be provided.