About Revive Fest
Mission Statement: To EXCITE and INSPIRE all people to live as disciples of CHRIST!
Revive Fest (formerly En Gedi Music Fest) is a Christian event featuring a variety of nationally known contemporary music artists. The atmosphere of this festival is perfect for families, groups, and individuals.
Revive Fest is strongly committed to the Great Commission Jesus gave to the Church, to "go and make disciples of all nations..." God is still inviting us to be His disciples and sending us to make disciples of others. Revive Fest desires to be a conduit for God’s mission in this area. We would like to partner with your congregation to excite and inspire your members to live as disciples of Christ and aid in the multiplication of disciples by your congregation.
What We Believe
As disciples of Christ,
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we believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
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We believe the Bible is the word of God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
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We believe we were created to praise God. (Psalm 102:18)
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We believe that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. (Romans 3:22b-23)
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We believe that we are redeemed by God from sin and death, through the work of Jesus, the Christ. (Galatians 3:13)
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We believe we receive the benefits of His redemptive work only by grace through faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
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We believe that God still breaks down the dividing wall of hostility and makes us one with Himself in the One Holy Christian and Apostolic Church (Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 4:1-6)
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We believe that God has uniquely called each of us into a life of purpose and discipleship with Himself. (1 Corinthians 12:18)
In Summary, we believe what is confessed in the Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
God has indeed provided people, communities of faith, and ministries all around us, and we hope that you will be able to come to Revive Fest and together be lifted up and encouraged as you hear the music and testimony of Christian artists. Enjoy a weekend with your family, use the festival to build up and grow God’s kingdom, most importantly enjoy the presence of God with His people, and REVIVE!
Meet Our Staff
Executive Director - Pastor David Grimm
David is a rostered pastor in the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He has been a pastor for 29 years in Nebraska, Iowa and now Michigan. He is currently serving Creator’s Praise Ministries, Leonidas, MI.
David grew up outside of Buffalo, NY before his family eventually moved to Northeast Pennsylvania. He met his wife Shawna while attending Concordia College, Ann Arbor. David and Shawna have four children, all married and now seven grandchildren out of the womb and one on the way.
David graduated from Concordia College with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Sociology. He continued his education at Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO where he received his Master of Divinity degree. After serving 10 years as a pastor, and shortly following 9/11, David and Shawna felt moved by the Spirit to pursue mission work. Settling in Leonidas, MI, David and Shawna opened En Gedi Campground River Resort. “It just makes sense, if people aren’t coming to church, take the church to the people.”
The Music Festival presents yet another great opportunity to celebrate the life we have in Christ as we actively share that life with others. We truly hope that people come and experience revival. Christians will come and have their faith recharged. Nominal Christians and non-Christians will be exposed to the Gospel and experience new life. Our community and region will benefit from people who come with all of life’s burdens and leave yoked with Christ. “We hope many churches and ministries will join in the opportunity to experience and share a revival we all need.”
“…you who seek God, let your hearts revive.” Psalm 69:32b
Let’s REVIVE Again!
2.0 Here we come!
Administrative Director - Matt Grimm
Matt's day job is a mechanical engineer in the medical field. He is raising three crazy boys (the dudes) with his beautiful wife, Meghan. Matt joined the team in our first year having absolutely no idea what this event would turn into or how it would impact his life. The original thought was "Sure, I guess I can help out with engineering/red-necking a stage together and directing praise bands and backstage volunteers." Fast-forward to today, and Matt's life has been consumed with passion for this event. His faith has been reignited with the realization that this is something God is actively calling him to do.
"This has impacted my life and faith in a way that I never would have imagined. In just a few years I have gone from being... basically a great big jerk, to having my life flipped around through a constant interaction with God. I love sitting back and thinking about how God has just ferociously slammed doors in our faces and then opened the next door to something we never would have expected or pursued without His push. That has really been the story of my life for the last few years, a series of very, VERY hard God directed course corrections in my life. I am so glad to be here and to get the opportunity to help organize this amazing event, making and training disciples!! I love this thing." - Matt Grimm
Promoter - Shawna Grimm
Shawna Grimm is the owner of En Gedi Resort and Canoe Livery, and has taken an active role as Promoter for Revive Fest. "We are not only thrilled to be able to provide a great space for the festival, but also very excited to be a part of this growing festival dedicated to sharing Christ!"
Shawna is married to Pastor David Grimm and has four adult children plus seven grandchildren. She is a graduate of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a bachelor's degree specializing in outdoor ministry. She and Pastor Grimm have owned and operated the campground for 15 years and have been a part of Revive Fest (a ministry of Creator's Praise Ministries) since its development. "I love being involved in the festival, and it is definitely one of my favorite times of the year!"
As Promoter, Shawna's job is to book the artists and work with festival staff members to communicate the needs of each artist.
Revive Talent Stage Directors - B3 Productions
B3 Productions Phil Shepherd and Rick Richardson
Phil Shepherd resides in Battle Creek, Mi working full time as a machinist and serving the Lord as a worship leader, drummer, and multi-instrumentalist. B3 Productions is all Phil’s fault and was his idea to provide local artists with affordable live sound. B3P provides artists with the opportunity to glorify the Lord with a clear voice. Hailing from Indianapolis in a previous life and most recently residing in Bellevue, Mi, Rick Richardson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, worship leader, guitar clinician, inventor, husband, and father of 5 musical children. Rick desires above all to point people to Jesus while helping singers, musicians, and production teams grow in their gifts and service to their congregations.
Food Vendor Coordinator - Kyle Conley
Kyle’s day job is a sourcing manager at a local company. He has two kids, a boy and girl along with his wife, Amanda. Kyle has a love for Christian music and a passion for encouraging those in their Christian walk. “The Revive Festival fulfills both passions. The weekend is full of spiritual rejuvenation and worship. I get the opportunity to help further the Kingdom of God, have a great time worshiping, & have meaningful conversations with strangers and friends”. Kyle started his volunteer journey with the Revive Festival in 2022 after attending in the summer of 2022. The event was so impactful, he looked for an opportunity to support and is excited to manage the food vending for the upcoming year. "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit" Proverbs 18:21....Speak life