Va. Megachurch to Host Largest Underage New Year's Party in DC Area; Over 1,000 Expected to Attend
A Virginia megachurch situated near the District of Columbia will be holding its annual youth-centered New Year's Eve party to raise funds for charity tonight, with over 1,000 teens expected to attend.
The multi-campus congregation of McLean Bible Church will host the "New Year's Aid 2014" party Tuesday evening as the calendar year draws to a close. Billing itself as the "largest under-age party in the D.C. area for 6th-12th grade students," New Year's Aid will have several activities and entertainment for guests at the Vienna campus of McLean Bible.
Scheduled attractions will include illusionists Sean Amory and Brock Gill, Christian rapper Humble Tip, and activities like laser tag, crafts, Bingo, Karaoke, and dodge ball.
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Proceeds for New Year's Aid 2014 will go to help Los Brujanes, a rural community located in the Dominican Republic.
"The one and two room houses have dirt floors, while the fortunate ones have concrete. Electricity is available between rolling blackouts, but there is no indoor plumbing, and no water lines even running close to the town," reads an entry on McLean's website. "Outhouses are a necessity. The nearest potable water source is miles away. Residents collect rain water or travel to the next town over to buy bottled water. Most families eat one consistent meal a day."
With Tuesday evening's events, McLean Bible aims to "raise $50,000 in net proceeds to impact this community."
"We hope to purchase a parcel of land to build a multi-purpose community center. This center will be a beacon of hope for this community," states an entry on the McLean site. "It is also our hope to raise enough money to install a well in this community to provide water for these precious people."
Past New Year's Aid events at McLean have garnered hundreds and hundreds of attendees, with New Year's Aid 2012 bringing an estimated 1,500 teenagers to the Vienna campus.
Kent Husted, assistant director of Student Ministries for McLean Bible, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that kids came from "all of Northern Virginia, including Prince William, Loudoun, and Fairfax counties."
"We have kids come from as far away as Winchester and other V.A. areas. Also, we draw from Maryland…and parts of D.C. Some out of town guests will also be present that are visiting relatives," said Husted.
McLean Bible has hosted a New Year's Aid party every end of the year since 1994, with proceeds going to charity projects in places like Somalia, the Caribbean, and Uganda.
