The ministry impact of the Cass Lake Alliance Church continues to go on strong! Started as a Native church plant in the 1930s, it continues to reach out locally while celebrating its historical impact globally. The church, located on the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota, has raised over the years two gifted musical singing families-The Smith Family and The Berge Family-whose collective ministries span almost a century.
Both families have traveled and have sung across North America and in over a dozen other countries, ministering to listeners with the gospel in song. The Smith Family's style is Southern Gospel while the Berge's is distinctly Bluegrass.
While the Smith Family is now off the road from full-time traveling, their music is still being carried on by Craig and LaDonna Smith (tribalrescue.com) and brother Scott, who serves as worship leader in a church in Tyler, Texas.
The Berge Family's music also continues. Ken, Becky, Melanie and Mindy have warmed the hearts of thousands of people in their concerts over the years, and are now impacting thousands of lives in their annual Lake Itasca Family Music Festival, located near the headwaters of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota.
This annual weekend gathering, slated this year for August 4–6, 2023, hosts close to 2,000 attendees, and holds an atmosphere where family music ministry is promoted and encouraged. Other family groups have been launched by the impact of the festival, which is held the first full weekend in August each year!
The upcoming 2023 LIFMF, will have a special emphasis on Native family music and preaching. The mainstage highlight will include Randy and Evangeline Jackson (Cree and Dakota) and their Living Stone Band as one of the featured headlining groups. Also, the Sunday morning service will feature the powerful preaching of Dr. Vern Charette (Ojibwe).
Native and First Nations people are invited to come and enjoy the ministry of Dr. Charette, the Jacksons, and the other musical groups scheduled to perform in this wonderful summer ministry event.
Dry camping on-site is available, as are area hotel and resort facilities nearby. Meals are offered to attendees throughout the weekend. To learn more about area housing options, go to visitbemidji.com.
For more information on the festival, visit familybluegrass.com.
