EVERETT — Christmas came early to Bethany Christian Assembly this year, and for those in need in Snohomish County as well.
Christmas at Bethany, an Everett holiday concert that has been a family tradition for 25 years, took a different tone this year. Instead of the organizers accepting an offering to help cover the cost of the production, the production itself was subsidized by local businesses, allowing the church instead to hold a benefit concert that raised $16,000 for Compassion Ministries.
“It was pretty amazing,” Sean King said. “We’ve been doing it for 25 years, and the production quality has never been better. We do a lot of special effects, lighting and really making the whole place look like a winter wonderland.”
King, the assistant music director at Bethany Christian Assembly and producer for the event, felt the concert’s charitable nature was part of its success.
“With the change to a benefit concert, it was more appealing to the public; that’s why we do the event,” King said. “It’s always been a good tradition, but now it serves the greater good for the community.”
More than 3,000 people filled the church for this year’s four performances. King said he hopes next year will bring the same level of success, if not more.
“Next year will be more of the same, I think next year will grow because the motivation is different,” King said. “The people are coming to something that is really community driven and leave feeling great about the holidays, and inspired to help the community.”
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
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