Mission Possible

Sunday concert in Allen Park to support local missionaries

A contemporary Christian rock band is set to make its debut at a local fundraiser.

However, for the band’s lead singer, it’s also about supporting his wife and child.

Many Sparrows, an indie-rock group, will headline a fundraiser concert titled "Hope Takes Flight." The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Allen Park Bandshell, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"Cynde and Annalie are my wife and daughter," said Steve Johnson, the lead singer of Many Sparrows and formerly of the indie-rock band the Probables. "They felt God had put it on their hearts to go and serve, so I want to support them any way I can."

Blue Moon Management is presenting the afternoon event, which is a family-friendly, free show featuring live music, local food trucks and childrens' ‘ activities, with suggested donations directly supporting REALiFE Church missionaries preparing to serve alongside Uniting 2 Serve in the nation of Guatemala.

"We have missionaries (first-timers) -Cynde and Annalie-, who are raising funds to go on a mission to Guatemala,” said Tim Short, a lead pastor with REALiFE Church, located at 556 E. 2nd St. "All donations received will help offset the cost of sending out our missionaries."

Smart said his church and would-be missionaries teamed up with Uniting 2 Serve in a faith-based effort to serve the people of Guatemala.

"Uniting 2 Serve primarily focuses on serving the people of Guatemala," he said.

Cynde Johnson explained that her home church (REALiFE) already has strong ties to Guatemala, and it seems like a natural choice for a mission trip.

"We have missionaries from our church who go to Guatemala at least once a year," she said. "Everything seemed to fall into place."

Cynde Johnson said that she hopes to take what she learns from this mission trip and apply it here, back home.

"What we learn on the mission trip -skills- I want to bring back here and apply them," she said. "There is a lot of need right here, in our backyard, in our neighborhoods; people need help, and it all starts with the heart."

John Streed, the promoter with Blue Moon Management, said Many Sparrows consists of Ghram Kondac on bass guitar; Ellen Boen, pianist; Seth Smart, drums; Arbey Kondac, vocals and guitar; Matt Gronquist, electric guitar and fiddle.

Poverty in Guatemala is a significant and complex issue, affecting over half of the population. As of 2023, 55.2% of Guatemalans live in poverty, with nearly 17% experiencing extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 a day.

For more information about the upcoming concert, contact Blue Moon Management at (716) 487-6999 or visit Blue Moon Management on Facebook. For more information about REALiFE Church or the Johnsons' upcoming missionary trip, call 716-483-2113, visit www.realifejtown.com/, or visit the church's official Facebook page, REALiFE JAMESTOWN.