By MORGAN MIZELL

NATCHEZ — Several youth and chaperones from Natchez Church of God on McNeely Road will attend Kidfest this weekend in Irving, Texas.

Student pastor, Michael Messer, said this is a new experience for him.

“I have attended Winterfest with some of the older youth,” Messer said. “This is a first for me, and I am so excited.”

Kidfest is modeled after Winterfest, but is designed for a younger age group.

“They are looking to reach the 6 through 12-year-old age group here,” Messer said. “It is a weekend filled with services and impactful experiences, and I am excited to see how the kids respond to the experience.”

Messer said the group he is taking this year is small — only five youth are going. There will be chaperones and other youth leaders in attendance.

According to the Kidfest website, the weekend promotes new methodology for children’s ministry, and will allow those in this ministry the opportunity to see new a different approaches.

The kids will have time to partake in other activities while they are there, but they will have at least four scheduled services beginning the night they arrive.

Female chaperone, Brandi Beach, will attend the conference, along with her twins, Nicholas and Peyton.

The boys expressed excitement about the opportunity, but are really unsure what to expect.

“This is the first time for us to go to something like this,” Nicholas Beach said. “We really are not sure what it will be like, but I think it is going to be fun.”

Beach is looking forward to the time with the kids as well as the overall conference itself.

“I think it is going to be amazing to see so many kids under one roof praising God,” Beach said. “I am thrilled there is an event such as this being offered to this age group. They do not really have a lot of things offered to them, and this looks like it is going to be awesome.”

Male chaperone, Lance Webb, and his daughter are looking forward to attending the event.

“I will be spending my time with the boys, but I am happy to go and be a part of this with my daughter, Alison,” Webb said. “I am not sure what to expect, because it is my first time, but once we get there, I think the real excitement will hit me.”

Messer said he hopes the kids have fun, but he also wants them to come away with more.

“I hope the kids get a deeper passion for worship,” Messer said. “I hope they come home from this event with a deeper hunger for God.”

Linda Hampton, another children’s ministry leader of the church, said she is anxious to see what happens at the conference.

“I have had a dream before, where all of the kids in our church were slain in the Spirit, and I had to get help to pray for all of them,” Hampton said. “I just look forward to seeing the Spirit move in these kids.”

Meredith Faust, a member of the church, had to decline the trip this time because of another event. Here daughter, Katey Belle, is still going to be able to attend.

“I wish I could go, but I will go on the next trip.” Faust said. “Katey Belle is so excited to go with the other kids, and she has traveled without me before, so I know she will be fine.”

The group will leave town Friday and will return Sunday.