The third annual expo was held recently at the Warren County School District central office in Russell. Moore said when he and his wife moved to the area after experiencing similar events in the past, God impressed on his heart to hold a family fair like he and his wife had seen out west. Moore said he didn’t think it could be pulled off, saying God’s response was, “My church is bigger than that.” Several years ago, multiple churches came together in a certain vicinity of the West End, therefore creating “West Fest.” It was a one-time multi-church event that was family focused and held outdoors. Each church involved had different themes including, physical well-being and mental health issues.

As the pastor at the Wiltsie Community Church, Moore felt a calling again from God saying, “What about doing another West Fest?” Moore thought that churches close to his were not close in proximity as far as that region of the county, which prompted him to find a central location where the event could be held. That place was the Warren County School District central office in Russell, a neutral and central location with space that can accommodate 45 or more vendors, a large parking lot for both the use of “Touch a Truck” and parking for all. It is not a church event but churches have helped to organize it, and are invited to present themselves.

The Northern Tier Expo is an open house event for those who serve in that part of Warren County (Russell, Scandia, Sugar Grove, Lander and Bear Lake). It is a family friendly event with entertainment, free food and activities for kids. The churches work together to put on this event, providing a family friendly, food, and community resources and a spiritual component is present. Oftentimes, the physical and mental needs of people are met but spiritual needs are typically the element most often left out. The church can refer people to specific service organizations that can help. Churches work in cooperation; building bridges between the church and those organizations represented there. It is very informative.

In the past, TAWC had a worker who volunteered to attend the event where the bus system was explained so people could learn how the transit authority works. Moore said many did not even know TAWC exists.

Vendors are pictured at the Northern Tier Expo held at the Warren County School District Central Office Building recently.

Many organizations are invited to participate. Typically there are many interested organizations that need volunteers to be present at this event and it is sometimes what is keeping some organizations from attending the Northern Tier Expo, which takes place the Saturday after Labor Day each year.

“It really was God putting it on my heart and not being able to get away from it,” Moore said. “It’s not something I just do for the fun of it.”

Moore said he feels a strong conviction in continuing the event, stressing that it is pulled off by a village of people willing to help. An increased presence is needed to be part of the steering board. When more churches are involved, more people and places are networked with each other by coming to this community gathering of information. Moore encourages any organization whose purpose is to service people in this community to use the expo as an event to recruit people, including volunteer fire departments or other clubs that exist in the community.

For more information, reach out to Wiltsie church for more information at 814-757-8206.