Singing the Gospel

The 14th Annual Milk River Gospel Jamboree will take place next week in Malta and with it comes a variety of Gospel groups ranging from amateurs to entertainers who have traveled the world spreading God's message.

"Above it all, they fear the Lord," said Jim Koss, Chairman of the Milk River Gospel Jamboree. "That is what the Jamboree is all about."

On Friday night the Jamboree kicks off with a fundraising supper (the Jamboree committee is made up entirely of volunteers and the performers are paid through freewill offerings and funds raised through raffles.) Following the supper will be eight short sets by the artists.

On Saturday morning, there will be three workshops taught by three performers covering flatpicking guitar, harmonica and Mandolin (these classes are $5 each and people interested in attended need to register on the Jamboree website at http://www.mrgjamboree.org.) Prior to the performances on Saturday will be the "Breakfast at Lunch" meal. Following the meal will be another eight sets before the supper break – cooked by the East Malta Colony.

Sunday morning, several of the musicians will be traveling to churches throughout Phillips County to perform (for exact start times and which musicians will be at which churches, check the website.) Following services the music in Malta will start again and run throughout the day before the Sunday Dinner.

"All the meals and the concerts are freewill offerings," said Koss. "Nobody will ever be turned away because they don't have money. God provided the musicians and God provided the meals. If you can help financially, good. If you can't, good. Come and enjoy the fellowship and enjoy the music."

Koss said that each of the programs start with a scripture reading, a prayer and then the Star Spangled Banner and the Canadian National Anthem. The event will run until approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday.

This year the Milk River Gospel Jamboree will feature eight different acts over the three-day festivity. The acts for the three day event will include Vocal Union, an Acappela group consisting of seven members.

"This is the first time we have had a strictly Acappela group at the Jamboree so we are really excited to have them here," said Koss.

While Vocal Union will be making their first appearance in Malta, The Haining Family is well known to the Milk River Gospel Jamboree fans and will be back in town again this year.

"The Haining Family has been here before," Koss said. "The Durocher Family has been here before, Mark Umfleet has been here before and so has the Dream Company. Most of the groups, when asked if they would like to come back, say 'yes.' That leaves us with some hard choices to make because we try to bring groups back that people are familiar with, but also try to bring in some new acts each year."

Koss said that the types of Gospel music featured at the Jamboree will include bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel and Praise Music.

Along with the meals, classes and music will be a Chinese Raffle and Silent Raffle held to help fund the Jamboree. If people are interested in donating items to the raffles, you are encouraged to contact Terry Olson at 654-2867.

The Milk River Gospel Jamboree will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday – June 26-28 – at the Malta High School Auditorium. For more information – or to sign up for one of the three workshops offered during the jamboree – visit http://www.mrgjamboree.org. The Milk River Gospel Jamboree is a non-profit 501C, created to bring Gospel music to north central Montana and founded in 2001. Any contributions made to the Jamboree are tax deductible.

"Come out and enjoy some great music with some great people," Koss said.