Gospel Fest 2025 Reunites Community in Support of Habitat for Humanity’s Housing Relief for Those in Need

This year’s fourth annual Gospel Fest held on Saturday, June 14th, once again brought community focus on Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing efforts to provide adequate housing for families in need of maintaining that essential living situation.

“Events like the Gospel Fest allow us to remind our citizens publicly that we are a resource for affordable housing and home repairs for the residents of Warren County,” Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Andrea Ross told us during last year’s third annual Gospel Fest.

Gospel Fest 2025 reunites community in in support of Habitat for Humanity’s Housing relief for those in need. Below, Warren Coalition was among those present in support of Habitat for Humanity. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

As the 2025 event was about to kick off, we again spoke with Habitat Executive Director Ross. Ross acknowledged event participants including Virginia Housing, Warren Coalition, and LDS Church. She also cited the support of local businesses and Habitat board members present and working the event. Those included Treasurer Fern Vasquez, Secretary Sonja Wilkins, Ben Short, and Pastor Shannon Roman, the latter who offered this year’s greeting and opening prayer.

As we reported in a quote last year from Pastor Roman of the Hope & Holiness Worship Center, “This event is to showcase the Christianity in Habitat for Humanity and show people that we care about helping people to live safely and get affordable housing in our community. We thank the Lord for allowing us to have such a great event that didn’t only showcase singers but also brought churches together to serve one mission, and that’s to glorify God for allowing us to come together to build in our community for families in need.”

And an “Amen” to that this year and every year moving forward.

Early Gospel Fest goers celebrate the absence of forecast rain with a little bubble storm of their own. The bubble machine was a big hit with younger attendees, as was the space to go deep for a long pass or two for the slightly older, younger generation attendees.

It appeared that several days of rain forecasts at varying morning and afternoon times limited the crowd and number of participating vendors compared to last year. However, the reduced number of 2025 live attendees for the 11 a.m. Gospel Fest kickoff doesn’t alter the importance of the annual acknowledgment of the spiritual aspect of the Habitat’s work and community support for that work.

And perhaps the fact the rains held off for the most part of the first three, if not more, hours of the event, indicated a gesture of approval from the “weatherman” above.

To open the live music the Band of Brothers took to the Gazebo stage, below including musical “sister” Denise Ryman singing lead.

The Band of Brothers opened the musical part of the show, adding a “sister”, Denise Ryman, to this year’s lineup. Other scheduled musical contributors to this year’s Gospel Fest included Justin Kennedy, Malayah & Johnny, Dr. Diane Newman, Hope & Holiness Worship Dancers, The Sons of Faith, and The Diamond Warriors. Following Pastor Roman to the microphone were scheduled speakers or DJs Vanessa Martin, and Pastor Ricardo.

Thanks to all those who participated. And a continued thanks to Habitat for Humanity for its ongoing work on behalf those in need in this community.

Other booths included this one with theme-based apparel and carrying cases. Below, the Orchard Ministries International booth; the Romans Beauty Academy booth; and why not do a little face painting for fun while you’re at it.