New Life Apostolic Tabernacle will be hosting live music and selling food to anyone who stops at The Square in downtown Poplar Bluff on Saturday, Oct. 15. The church will be using the public venue on 405 W. Pine across from the Historic Rodgers Theatre for a fundraising event.
“This is the church’s first attempt at an event of this kind,” said music leader and social media director David Illig.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a chili cook-off. Bowls of each competitor’s chili will be available for sale. Individual tastings will also be available so that everyone attending can taste and cast a vote for their favorite chili.
Homemade baked goods provided by church members will be available for purchase. Among the goods offered will be what Illig calls “Famous Pentecostal Peanut Brittle.”
“We Pentecostals are well known for our homemade peanut brittle,” Illig said. “We always have peanut brittle.”
Church youth members will also be selling boxes of Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. The proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the church’s youth group.
“Our youths are raising the money to go to the North American Youth Congress held in St. Louis in 2023,” said Illig. “It is the biggest Pentecostal gathering in the United States.
“Some of the money will also go to the Ladies’ Auxiliary to attend a ladies’ conference in Branson next year.”
The music will start around 11 a.m. with Illig singing and playing on his keyboard. He will be accompanied by local Christian bands as well.
“I may be saying a word of encouragement if a crowd gathers and wants to listen,” Illig said.
Illig is proud of the growth the church has experienced in the last few years. He also wants everyone to know that the Apostolic Assemblies of Jesus Christ is having their yearly general conference at New Life Apostolic Tabernacle. The church’s longtime pastor, Rev. Raymond Owens, will be hosting the event Oct. 28-30.