By Michael Ireland

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (ANS) -- A Southern Evangelist and 160 churches from 12 denominations, together with a host of sponsors, will fun-filled event for the whole family, put together with the vision of Birmingham, Alabama-based evangelist Scott Dawson.

"In most traditional outreach events it's a one and done mentality," Dawson said. "But here the timing of our messages are being done strategically to share the gospel six times throughout the day so that people won't miss the message.

"The whole day is about Jesus. It's about how to discover that personal relationship," Dawson said.

There will be trained 'encouragers' to pray with new Christians or those wishing to recommit their lives, he said.

Dawson hopes to prove wrong a recent Newsweek article that claims Christianity in America is "on the decline."

According to a media release, personal relationships have helped Dawson create successful events like StadiumFest for the past 20 years. He speaks before thousands of students and other groups of people every year at conferences and other events nationally where the Gospel message is the focus.

Dawson has in past years held three other 'Safe at Home' events in Birmingham, which have been strongly supported by the faith-based community. He has also held 23 other 'Safe at Home' evangelistic events in other cities where the benefits have been effective and long-lasting.

All of these musicians and speakers are people we've worked with throughout the years," Dawson said.

He added: "So, Saturday will just be a day of friends gathering together, talking about the One who wants to be our Best Friend."

The news release says the event is open to everyone, and runs from noon to 9:30 p.m. There will be a full day of festival-type and Extreme Sports demonstration activities beginning at noon for young families, concluding with a huge fireworks demonstration at Samford University's Siebert Stadium.

The day's schedule begins with activities in the Bronner Burgess Playground area from noon to 3:30 p.m. This area will feature Tuey Wilson, BibleMan, Ric Callahan, Veggie Tales' Larry and Bob, Hermie (of Hermie and Wormie), an obstacle course, inflatables, face painting and games.

There will also be an extreme sports demo between 2:30-3:30 p.m. featuring Real Encounter BMX.

Musicians featured on-stage include Chris Tomlin, Rush of Fools, and Jeremy Camp.

_____________________

Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.