LOUIS TRICHARDT - The programme of the Christ Festival on October 5 has been made available. Everyone is invited to attend the festival at Triegiepark, the sports grounds of Louis Trichardt High School. The festivities will commence at 15:00 and end at about 21:30.

The organisers ask that everyone should bring along a candle, as well as a chair, blanket and umbrella. Prayer requests should be handed in well before 17:30. The entrance is free and refreshments will be on sale throughout the festival.

At 15:00 the word of welcome will be given by Pastor Sampie van Niekerk, thereafter the Emmanuel Youth Band will lead in praise and worship. A mass praise dance will be performed by the Agapé Dance groups and the Miriam Dance Group from Musina after which Melanie, a lively teen gospel singer, will come on stage.

At 16:00 the choir of the Soutpansberg Primary School will sing. Then a spectacular sight will be seen when 20 000 pigeons will be released as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the peace that God gives. Jundri Coetzee will perform next, followed by a drama and dance routine portraying the cross event. Up next is the Timothy Song Group of the Baptist Church at about 17:00, followed by another performance by Melanie. She will be joined by the Wings Dance Group of Agapé. The Royal Macadamia Choir, Barry Hayward and Eldanny Lesar will round off the praise and worship for that hour.

At 18:00 local gospel singer Sonette Gouws and Niel van der Merwe from Mokopane will bring their contribution. Thousands of balloons with prayer requests inside them will be released into the sky to symbolize the prayers reaching God's throne. The Anglican Church will then lead a song along. Charl and Cecile, a married couple that had classical voice training, but whose passion is gospel, will minister along the theme of faith, hope and love.

At 19:00 all church leaders will be required to come forward, where after Willie Joubert, the main guest artist will perform. From 20:00, Charl and Cecile will sing thereafter Willie Joubert will again perform, while a mass dance group will worship on the field. The Amazing Grace Praise and Worship Group will minister just before there will be a triumphant sing along together with all the artists.

At a certain stage when it is dark enough, the cross on the hill will be illuminated for the first time.