ABOUT US
history
Looking back to 1951 and seeing the changes that have come surrounding the celebration of Christmas since then, it is very interesting that a handful of Christians were motivated to plan an event out of concern for the secularization of how Christmas was celebrated in our community!
That group initiated the first Christ Child Festival at the South Side Market. In 1952, the festival moved to the Memorial Coliseum where it has continued through 2012. The idea of such a festival grew and spread. At one time there were approximately 100 Christ Child Festivals held in cities across America. Over time, many were discontinued. Fort Wayne is the only city we know of that has continued to offer an interdenominational Christian celebration named the Christ Child Festival, free of charge.
Our local festival was attracting crowds of many thousands in the 80's. The attendance declined steadily to a low of 700, and subsequently grew again to 10,000! Covid caused us to step back due to health restrictions. A smaller festival presence along with a larger Internet presence was sought to continue to honor our mission. The change in venues, emphasis on spreading God's truth on local billboards, and Internet paid messaging have advanced the Gospel in spite of the times we face as a nation. We hope to continually improve the quality and ministry of the festival as the Lord leads.
We are praying that many people come together this year to focus on the Christ of Christmas. May the "City of Churches" come together as the "City of the Church" to proclaim the good news of Christ our Saviour.
You can learn more on our Facebook site.
statement of faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of the lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.