First Baptist Church of Matawan Set to Catch 'String Fever'

Dr. Lewis Kisenwether
Pastor, FBC Matawan
Tel: (732) 566-7515
E-Mail: drlewk@aol.com

Will Host Bluegrass Fundraiser Concert to Benefit Youth Group Missions Trip

MATAWAN – On Saturday, May 10, First Baptist Church of Matawan is set to catch the "fever," as local bluegrass band String Fever takes the stage to raise funds for the annual Youth Group Missions trip.

"We're excited to be able to support the Youth Group in their missions, and we're looking forward to a great show," said Bruce Jepson of Warren Township, the lead vocalist, guitar and Dobro player for String Fever. "New Jersey has a great bluegrass scene, but we don't get to play in Central Jersey as often as we'd like. This will be a chance to bring the old time music to fans in Monmouth County, and support a great cause."

The concert will be held in the main church building at 232 Main Street in Matawan. Doors will open at 6 PM, and the band will begin playing at 7 PM. Tickets, which will be sold at the door, cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, with the Youth Group serving free coffee and water during intermission.

According to Church Deacon and String Fever banjo player Mickey Maguire, a Matawan resident who offered the services of the band for the fundraiser, the proceeds will go to offset the cost of the Youth Group's Summer Mission Trip. This year, the Youth Group will travel to Harpursville, New York, to engage in ministry and community service at Harley and Sunshine Mulligan's farmhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan are former members of the First Baptist Church congregation who recently lost their farmhouse due to fire, and the Youth Group will help rebuild and renovate farms and barns, as well as build a chapel on the property to allow Harley to minister to the community.

"Harley and Sunshine were a strong part of this community when I first came to First Baptist, and I'm proud that our kids will be able to give something back to them," said Maguire, whose daughter, Erin, is involved in the Youth Group. "As a father, any time kids feel the need to contribute to their community through service, you feel a sense of pride. The fact that Erin and the rest of the Youth Group will be helping someone who helped me so much in my own spiritual growth, that's such a blessing."

"We're extremely grateful to String Fever for donating their time and talent to make the Youth Group's Summer Mission Trip a success," said Reverend Lew Kisenwether, pastor of First Baptist Church of Matawan. "Over the past few years, our church Youth Group has been a great source of pride to the First Baptist family, acting as emissaries of our community around the country. We hope to have a strong turnout for the String Fever concert on May 10, and show our kids that they have our support as they represent the best and brightest Matawan has to offer."
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