Inspiration Weekend Two - June 4-8, 2010

We began planning for Inspiration Weekend Two in February. Jan was the chairperson of the volunteer corp of 100+ for the 2nd year, but this year was going to be 5 days instead of the 2 days in 2009. I was also a member of our Church's 8 person planning committee or as SQuire Rushnell calls us the "Tugboat Committee".

Let me begin with a very brief background on the genesis of this very special event. Our close friends and island buddies SQuire Rushnell, http://whengodwinks.com/, and Louise DuArt, http://louiseduart.com/, were the "brain children" for I.W. when they met Dr. Charles Stanley founder of InTouch Ministries in Atlanta (www.intouch.org) after performing at the organization's Christmas Party in 2008.

Long story, short--they invited Dr. Stanley to the Vineyard for a weekend of music and inspiration to be held at the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle. This is a very famous site on the old revival campgrounds of gingerbread cottages and the grand, old Tabernacle (http://www.mvcma.org/). Following months of planning and prayer the 2 day weekend came off despite cold and rain. With great entertainment of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis of the 5th Dimension, who I excitedly was asked to escort around, the family musical group, The Annie Moses Band, and Louise's Comedy and Impersonation performance, the event was acclaimed a 'mild' success.

We were skeptical about whether Dr. Stanley would want to return, but in January he spoke to Louise and Squire and said "you know I don't think the Lord wants me to return to the Island this year for 2 days.............I believe he'd like me to return and preach for 5 days"!!! So our hard work and planning began. The talent and entertainment this year was Star Search winner Mara Getz, American Idol finalist Mandisa, Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder, multi-Grammy artists Avalon, and Constitutional Historian David Barton.

And of course the wonderful biblical teachings of Dr. Stanley.

I should have mentioned before if you didn't know Dr. Stanley's weekly sermons are broadcast worldwide to over 50 million viewers in over 100 countries.

We were so happy with the weekend attracting over 3,000 people from 30+ states and as far as one person from Hong Kong who flew over just for the event. The weather was near perfect every day and our Sunday Family picnic on the Green was well attended beyond our expectations. There was unanimous agreement that IW2 was a phenomenal success!! What happens next year is anybody's guess!