If you go
› What: Jfest 20th anniversary concert.› When: Gates open at 9:30 a.m. today; 10 bands perform throughout the day.› Where: Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge.› Admission: $25.
J103 needed a fundraiser to support the radio station during summer months when contributions were low. That prompted organizers to host its first Jfest.
But even more important than raising money was the radio's intent to lead people to the Christian faith, said Ted Gocke as he assisted volunteers hanging signs for today's 20th annual event.
"Every year here, they get freed from alcohol addiction and drugs. Families restored," he said.
Gocke is the morning show host for the station, as well as development director at Partners for Christian Media, which the festival supports. PCM was incorporated as a nonprofit ministry in 1995 and is the parent company of the radio station, J103 FM.
"Letting people know about the love and joy of Jesus Christ and the freedom he can bring" has always been the mission of the festival, said Gocke.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. with the first of nine Christian music acts taking the stage at Camp Jordan Park. This year's headliners are Britt Nicole, whose current single is "Be the Change," and Tenth Avenue North, three-time Dove Award winners. Christian hip-hop artist Aaron Cole will entertain during an after-party.
And to make up for last year when the fireworks were canceled because of the weather, fireworks this year will be twice as long, said Gocke.
The event has become the largest, longest-running Christian music festival in the region. One year, it even beat out Riverbend as favorite festival in Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of the Best voting. And Jfest has been runner-up all the other times, said Gocke.
Organizers intentionally keep the fee low. Although they need to raise funds, the concert is a ministry.
No one has ever been turned away from the concert because they didn't have money to pay, said Gocke. He said they give out hundreds of dollars in free admissions each year.
Hundreds of concertgoers every year make a decision for God. A lot of those are for salvation and rededication or renewing of their life and their relationship with God.
Some families renew their commitment to each other, said Gocke.
Jfest sets an atmosphere where families and friends may come and leave all troubles of the world behind while they focus on themselves.
Visitors have told Gocke that they spend more time with their kids at Jfest than they do any other time of the year.
"We're going to have some great music that ministers to them," he said. "Everything you hear from the stage is positive, encouraging and uplifting."
Jfest also comes equipped with people ready to assist those who become Christians or rededicate their lives to the faith.
Organizers never know about some people who make decisions, but if they fill out a commitment card, then organizers will contact their pastor if the person indicated one to let the pastor know of the decision. If there is no pastor indicated, then organizers will contact a pastor with a church in the person's neighborhood.
"That way the pastor can reach out to them and disciple them because we definitely don't want people just making decisions" said Gocke. "We want the fruit to fully grow and not to die on the vine."
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.