Ministerial Association hosts ‘Ascension’ at Dana – Blair Enterprise Publishing

The former Dana College campus in Blair came alive one evening last week for an event filled with prayers and music.

The Washington County Ministerial Association sponsored the Ascension Community Celebration on Wednesday.

The organization Angels Share has plans to develop the vacant campus to be named the "Frank and Jane Krejci Learning and Life Community" into residential housing, offices and for the relocation of Grace University from Omaha.

The Grace move is planned first. The target date is May 2018.

The Ascension Celebration began with a flag ceremony by Blair scouts from troops and packs 143 and 232. Hillside Church's praise band and the Ascension Choir provided music.

The Grace Praise Band was scheduled to perform, but members couldn't attend because the Grace University Chambers Choir is embarking on a two-week mission trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. Mike Harvat, a leader for the Grace Praise Band, represented the group by playing a song.

Scouts from troops 143 and 232 in Blair raise a flag during a ceremony at the Ascension Celebration on Wednesday, from left: Alex Luttig, Ty Evangelisti, Robert Hemmingsen and Jason Preister.

Pastor Mark Denger of Christ Lutheran Church, which may establish its first permanent physical home on the campus, said the Ascension Celebration had a few purposes: to "praise the ascended Lord Jesus;" to "thank God for the new thing he is doing at the Dana campus;" and to "pray for the Lord's blessing and power over everything that happens here."

"We believe we achieved those targets," Denger said.

The pastor told the crowd gathered on the Viking Field bleachers that they were there to "celebrate the resurrection of this campus for a godly purpose."

"We are celebrating the fact that God is in this place tonight, and that he will be in this place in the years that are to come," Denger said.

Among projects for the campus, Angels Share founder Ed Shada has developed a plan for 150 residential units to house behavioral health, post-care foster care youth and senior citizens.

"We are not simply celebrating the fact that Grace University is going to occupy this place," Denger said. "We are celebrating the fact there are people who are going to be coming and going from this campus who are going to need encouragement that only Jesus Christ can bring."

A goodwill offering was taken Wednesday for the Washington County Ministerial Association's Good Samaritan Fund, which provides residents with financial support for housing, utility bills, fuel and medicine.

About 190 people attended the Ascension Celebration, including guests.

"It was a beautiful evening," Denger said.

Tim Fischer leads the Ascension Choir during a celebration organized by the Washington County Ministerial Association on Wednesday at the former Dana College campus.

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Ministerial Association hosts 'Ascension' at Dana - Blair Enterprise Publishing