Post Tagged with: "Ocean City Tabernacle"

Comedian Jeff Allen Headlines ACS Legacy Gala on May 12, Helps Raise Funds for Tuition Assistance Grant Fund

Comedian Jeff Allen entertained an audience of over 300 people as the headliner at Atlantic Christian School’s 7th Legacy Gala on Friday, May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle. The Gala and a Silent Auction held at the event, along with the May 16 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament, helped raise funds for the school’s Tuition Assistance Grant Fund. The events together netted $31,000 for the fund that since 2017 has provided tuition discounts to hundreds of qualified families in need to give them access to a Christian education for their children.

Allen began his career in 1978 and has entertained audiences around the world. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central, Pureflix, Dry Bar Comedy, Apostles of Comedy, in films like “Thou Shalt Not Laugh,” and more. Allen’s second book, “Are We There Yet,” is due for release this coming September.

“Mr. Allen has been making people laugh for five decades and he certainly lived up to his reputation,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Many of us in the audience appreciated his humorous perspective on everyday life situations and we were laughing until we cried.”

After performing his comedy act, Allen was presented with a thank-you gift from ACS — an original drawing by ACS 11th grader Ryleigh Martin that illustrated Proverbs 16:24 –“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.”

The evening’s program began with 12th grader Daniella Ajayi welcoming the audience to the Gala and offering an invocation. Chief School Administrator Oblen then came forward for a special presentation to the Dye Family to thank them for partnering with ACS to create the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund in 2017. She presented the Dyes with a framed photo of the Ocean City Music Pier, where several ACS concerts were held in the 1990s when Bob Dye was the ACS choir director.

Oblen said that over the past six years, the fund has provided a tuition discount for nearly 580 students from over 430 new and returning families — giving out a total of nearly $940,000 in aid.  For the coming school year, Oblen said ACS expects to award at least $217,000 from the fund to benefit 142 students from 117 families.

“We are so thankful for the Dye family’s passion for Christian education and their decision to partner with our school to make this vital Tuition Assistance Fund a reality,” Oblen said. “We want to continue making ACS affordable for families who are seeking a Christian education for their children; that’s what you’re supporting by being here tonight.”

Following the presentation to the Dye family, the 23-member Middle School Worship Team, led by staff member Kelly Flynn, gave an uplifting performance of Cory Asbury’s “The Father’s House” and Hillsong Worship’s “New Wine.”

12th grader Cruz Lewis then introduced Allen, remarking that his life story was inspiring — not only for Allen’s outstanding accomplishments as a comedian, but for his courage to share his journey of transformation — from being an atheist and involved in drugs and alcohol — to becoming a born-again Christian.

During his remarks at the Gala, Allen touched on the experiences that led to his conversion to becoming a Christian in 1997 — describing it as a 7-year journey that began on the first day that he became sober.

“Our job is to show up and to seek, like Jesus says, just knock, and He’ll answer. It doesn’t mean today, tomorrow, or next week, but in time,” Allen said. He noted that the journey to faith will result “in a peace that you never knew could exist.”

After Allen’s performance, 12th grader Sam Glancey shared from his heart about how he has been blessed to be a beneficiary of the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund for the past six years. Lisa Dye, a member of the ACS faculty from 1997-2020, then spoke about the purpose of the fund and encouraged those in the audience to join her and her family in making a donation to the fund.

The Gala program concluded with 11th grader Ryleigh Martin giving a solo performance of “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship and Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz delivering a benediction.

Prior to the Gala Program, sponsors and other supporters attended a delicious appetizer and dessert reception catered by Elite Fleet and had the opportunity to meet Jeff Allen and pose for a photograph. The Silent Auction, spearheaded by staff member PJ Santos, was also open during the reception and attracted friendly competition among more than 70 items up for bid.

Photo credits: John Loreaux

 

 

Buy Your Tickets to Attend Our May 12 Legacy Gala with Comedian Jeff Allen

Iconic comedian Jeff Allen will be the headliner at Atlantic Christian School’s Legacy Gala on Friday, May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle in Ocean City, NJ. The benefit event is open to the public and will raise funds to support Atlantic Christian’s financial aid program.

Allen has entertained audiences around the world and has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central, Pureflix, Dry Bar Comedy, Apostles of Comedy, in films like “Thou Shalt Not Laugh,” and more.

“Laughter is good medicine and Mr. Allen has been making people laugh for five decades,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We’re very excited to be bringing Mr. Allen to share his quick wit and humorous perspective on situations that come out of everyday life. It’s sure to be an enjoyable evening for the whole family.”

Oblen said the proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the school’s Tuition Assistance Grant Fund, which since 2017 has been providing tuition discounts to hundreds of qualified families in need to give them access to a Christian education for their children.

The doors at the Ocean City Tabernacle will open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:15 p.m. A Silent Auction with entertainment, sports, and destination experiences, dining and shopping gift certificates, gourmet food baskets, and more will be part of the Gala event.

Ticket prices start at just $55 and groups of 10 or more will get a discount. There is also a VIP Experience for $150 where ticketholders will receive premium seating, have a meet and greet with Jeff Allen, and enjoy an appetizer and dessert reception, which will start at 5:30 p.m. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. Sponsors will also enjoy the benefits of the VIP Experience.

Tickets, sponsorships, and ads to the ACS Legacy Gala 2023 can be purchased online at ACSEHT.ORG/LEGACYGALA or by calling the school at 609-653-1199, ext. 302. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets, sponsorships, and ads.

 

Announcing Two Spring Fundraisers — Legacy Gala & Golf Tournament — Ticket, Registration Site Now Open Online

ACS is excited to announce two big fundraisers coming this spring — our Legacy Gala: An Evening with Comedian Jeff Allen on May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle and our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament on May 16 at McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor Township. The online site is now open to purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or register to golf. Both events will benefit the ACS Tuition Assistance Grant Fund.

There will also be a Silent Auction at the Gala.  There are $55 and $75 general admission tickets to just attend the Gala program, which will feature our headliner, Christian comedian Jeff Allen. There is a discount on General Admission tickets for groups of 10 or more. For those buying a $150 VIP Experience ticket or donating to be a Sponsor, there will be a Meet-and-Greet and photo opportunity with Mr. Allen and a Celebration Reception with gourmet appetizers and desserts. All seating is reserved and all tickets must be purchased online with iTickets.

The May 16 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament will get underway with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start and will conclude with lunch and an awards program. The golfer fee for an individual is $150 and a foursome is $560. There are also sponsorship packages and combo packages for those who would like to attend the Gala and participate in the Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from both fundraisers will benefit our Tuition Assistance Grant Fund, which provides families with needs-based tuition assistance. This fund enables many families each year to have access to a Christian education for their children.

“Our Tuition Assistance Grant Fund has enabled many families each year to have access to a Christian education for their children and we encourage our school families and friends in the community to help us grow this fund by attending one or both of these events,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.

CLICK HERE to buy tickets, be a sponsor, or register to golf or go to https://acseht.org/galagolf/

 

Middle School Students Encouraged to Keep Focus on God and His Word at Spiritual Emphasis Retreat

Middle school students were encouraged to keep God and His Word at the center of their daily lives at the Middle School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat on November 4 held at the Ocean City Tabernacle in Ocean City.

Pastor Wil Del Valle was the keynote speaker during the one-day retreat in which he emphasized the importance of not letting friends, social media, and other activities crowd out spending time each day to pray and read God’s Word.

“When we read the Bible, we should never lose sight of the wonder of God and how He has demonstrated time and again his power and authority over the universe He created,” Del Valle said.  As an example, he recounted the story of when the Israelites were fleeing Egypt and how God parted the Red Sea so that they could cross to safety on the other side. “We should never take these kinds of stories about the amazing acts of God for granted,” Del Valle said.

The Middle School Retreat began in the morning with a time of worship led by Lee Martin, ACS parent and Director of Worship and Communication at the Ocean City Tabernacle, and Alyssa Griffith of Sojourn Community Church. Following worship, Del Valle presented his devotion at the first of two chapel sessions, both of which were followed by the students gathering in smaller COMPASS groups to dig deeper into the devotion lesson. Some of the discussion focused on the value of friendship, exploring how the Bible defines friendship, and what it means to be a good friend.

The nearly 170 students also enjoyed fellowship during an indoor/outdoor group activity time, where students played volleyball, football, soccer, 9 Square in the Air, ping-pong, and more.  The retreat concluded with a scavenger hunt down Asbury Avenue, with students organized in their COMPASS small groups searching for various items on the list.  The winners of the scavenger hunt will be announced soon.

 

12th Grader Aaron Glancey Organizes Middle School Boys Over-Nighter as Senior Project

ACS 12th grader Aaron Glancey is organizing a Middle School Boys Over-Nighter on March 25 at the Ocean City Tabernacle — an event he has chosen to be his Senior Project as part of a year-long Senior Project Class. Aaron announced the event during Upper School Chapel on March 10 and has distributed flyers this week about the over-nighter to ACS middle school boys.

Aaron said the over-nighter is open to middle school boys at ACS and in the community, and he is busy spreading the word about the event to area churches and on social media. Aaron chose to organize this special event for middle school boys because he attended a similar event when he was in 8th grade and remembered the positive impact it had on his life.  Fellow senior, Quinn Schrag, is leading worship at the over-nighter as part of his Senior Project.

The over-nighter will be held from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25 to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 and there is a $20 registration fee. The evening will include games, refreshments, live worship music, and small group break-out sessions. Aaron and Quinn will lead some of the small group sessions, joined by several adult leaders from area churches.

The Senior Project class is facilitated by faculty member Linda Stiteler. Stiteler said that other students are working a variety of Senior Projects, all with a community service focus and utilizing their individual gifts and talents.  Joshua Schlundt is building a bench to install in Birch Grove Park in Northfield. Mia Liggins is using her talents as a photographer on a project for St. Vincent’s School in Mays Landing. Devin Tridente, a member of the ACS Championship Varsity Basketball team, is organizing an outdoor basketball clinic at ACS in April.

“It’s a very valuable learning and growing experience for our seniors to be responsible for coming up with a unique project and creating it from start to finish,” Stiteler said.  She said writing a letter of intent, writing a research or reflection paper, and doing an oral presentation to the class are also required elements for every project.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the Middle School Boys Overnighter.

 

Legacy Gala Silent Auction – An Opportunity for Local Businesses to Connect With New Customers

Do you own a business or have connections to a business that would like to support Christian education and reach new customers? Our May 1 Legacy Gala — An Evening with Mandisa will include a large Silent Auction that provides a great showcase for local businesses to reach hundreds of new customers.

Everyone who attends the Gala, to be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle, will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious appetizers and bid on items in the Silent Auction during the Welcome Reception from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle’s Narthex. The Legacy Gala Program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle’s large auditorium, which can seat over 900 people.

If you own a store-front or a home-based business and would like to donate to our Gala Silent Auction, please contact Mrs. PJ Santos at psantos@acseht.org. Examples of home-based businesses who have donated to past Silent Auctions include LuLaRoe, Pampered Chef, Rodan & Fields, Tastefully Simple, and Thirty-One Gifts.

Mrs. Santos is also seeking volunteers to help with calling or visiting local businesses to ask them to donate to the Silent Auction. “We want this year’s Silent Auction to be bigger and better than ever and we need your help,” Santos said. All donations are fully tax-deductible and will benefit our school’s educational programs.

To be included in a listing of Silent Auction donors in the Gala Program book, Silent Auction donations must be received by Friday, April 17.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Gala or to buy tickets, be a Sponsor, or an Advertiser.

Legacy Gala 2020 Ticket Sales Open on Monday, March 2

Tickets to the ACS Legacy Gala 2020 will go on sale next week — on Monday, March 2. The 7th annual Gala will feature Grammy-winning American Idol Season 5 finalist Mandisa as the keynote speaker. She will also perform several of her powerful hit songs, such as “Stronger” and “Overcomer.” The Gala will be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle in Ocean City.

Individuals, businesses, churches, and community organizations can support ACS through the Gala in a variety of ways — by being a Gala Sponsor; by purchasing a Gala Program Book ad or Electronic Screen Ad; by purchasing a VIP Experience ticket; or by purchasing individual Gala Program tickets or discounted group tickets for 10 or more.

Mandisa got her big break as a contestant on American Idol Season 5. With more than 1 million records sold, she has proven to be one of American Idol’s most successful alums and is a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges. She is currently performing across the country with the Christian music supergroup Newsboys as part of their 2020 Greatness of Our God Tour. In 2017, she performed with Toby Mac’s “HITS DEEP Tour.” She was awarded a Grammy in 2013 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her best-selling “Overcomer” album.

Mandisa has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, performing “Stronger” when Robin Roberts returned to the host chair after a battle with breast cancer. She performed the national athem during a Sunday night NFL Network game to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month. Mandisa herself struggled with depression for several years after a close friend lost her battle with cancer.

“Mandisa has drawn upon her faith in God to bring her out of depression and has been an inspiration to thousands of people through her music,” said Chief School Administration Karen Oblen. “We are very excited to be bringing Mandisa for her first appearance in South Jersey and we are looking forward to the uplifting and encouraging message she will be sharing.”

Oblen said supporting the Legacy Gala is an investment in the quality educational programs that ACS provides. She said the Ocean City Tabernacle is a great location for this year’s Gala as it can seat over 900 people to hear Mandisa and enjoy the Gala program. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with a Welcome Reception with appetizers and a Silent Auction. The Legacy Gala Program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle auditorium. A VIP Dessert Reception and Meet-and-Greet with Mandisa for Sponsors and VIP Experience Ticket Holders will begin at 9:00 p.m.

Individual tickets to the Gala Program Only are $55 and $75, which includes a Welcome Reception with appetizers and a Silent Auction. There are discounted group rates for groups of 10 or more. A VIP Experience ticket is $200 per person and includes the Welcome Reception and Silent Auction, a reserved premium Gala program seat in the Tabernacle auditorium, a ticket to a festive VIP Dessert Reception after the Gala program, and a Meet-and-Greet and commemorative photo with Mandisa during the Dessert Reception.

Sponsorship levels range from $1,000-$15,000.  All sponsors will enjoy the Welcome Reception (with appetizers), the Silent Auction, premium reserved seats at the Gala Program, tickets to the VIP Dessert Reception after the Gala Program, a Meet-and-Greet and commemorative photos with Mandisa during the Dessert Reception, reserved parking, Mandisa music CDs, and advertising in the Gala Program book and on electronic screens.

Limited childcare at the Ocean City Tabernacle is available by reservation and for a fee. Please contact PJ Santos at psantos@acseht.org to make your reservation by no later than Monday, April 20.

CLICK HERE to go to the online ticket sales page.  

CLICK HERE for information and the Donor Reply Form for Gala Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities.