PHOTO | Beau Foster
The ATU Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry is bringing a slice of Nashville to the River Valley. Chris Renzema will perform at Russellville’s First United Methodist Church Oct. 20.
Renzema is a Christian singer-songwriter from Tennessee. According to his Facebook page, he was recently nominated for the Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the Dove Awards.
Renzema has a growing fan base, especially among college students.
“So many of our students are fans of Chris Renzema,” the Rev. John Palmer, Campus Ministry Director at the Wesley Foundation, said. “We were looking for ways to engage more students but also inspire our student leadership. We hope this event will connect more students with our ministries and help them grow in their life of faith.”
The concert organizers contacted Renzema’s booking manager last May and started looking for available dates and times. While the ATU Wesley Foundation organized the concert, students from various church backgrounds were interested in attending.
Grace Miller, a marketing major from Russellville, works closely with the REnew Campus Ministry and plans to attend the concert.
“When I heard he was coming to Russellville, I immediately purchased tickets,” Miller said.
“I was honestly surprised to hear that he was coming here,” said Garnett Russell, a criminal justice major from Morrilton, said. “You don’t hear about many artists coming to Russellville to play, so it’s awesome that we get to host someone like Chris.”
Renzema performed in Fayetteville last spring, but this will mark his first visit to Russellville. The ATU Wesley Foundation is excited to share a nationally recognized recording artist with the community.
“Concerts have always been a part of college life,” Palmer said. “They are fun to attend with friends and family and allow students to be a part of an intimate night of music that will inspire their imaginations as well as make a memory of being up close to the recording artist.”
The concert takes place on Thursday, Oct. 20. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m. Native Pines, a local musical artist, will open for Renzema.
Students can purchase tickets through Evenbrite.com.
