The Rock of Ages Festival

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The Rock of Ages was a week-long annual festival generally held in August for followers of The Way International and their guests. The primary purpose of this festival was the commissioning of "WOW Ambassadors", which were groups of individuals who volunteered for a year-long missionary assignment. Therefore, the Rock of Ages was also called the "annual WOW festival". Other purposes included ushering in the new "ministry year", which started after the festival, and revealing the new ministry theme which was the topic of many teachings throughout the week and the focus of the upcoming year.

Generally preceding "the Rock" (as it was generally called) was the Way Corps Fellowship week. This week brought many of the ministry's leaders together for biblical study and leadership training. It was also the week in which the final setup for the coming festival was completed.

During the festival, followers could camp out in tents or RVs on The Way International's campus just outside New Knoxville, Ohio, or they could stay in local hotels and commute to the festival. The Rock of Ages featured children's events, fellowship, biblical meetings, food and entertainment, and bible studies. Most events were held in large tents that were set up temporarily for the festival. Tickets cost approximately 40 USD.

The festival was ended in 1995. One of the possible reasons was alleged sexual intercourse among teenagers throughout the event. For more information, see the main article.

Contents

[edit] Daily biblical teaching series

  • "The Word Speaks" - early morning teachings by various leaders
  • Yearly theme teaching - mid-morning teachings derived from the yearly theme taught by various leaders
  • Evening teaching - generally by the President on the theme topic and taught from the "Big Top" tent, the largest tent used during the festival

[edit] Entertainment

  • Way Productions (the performance department) sang songs before each meeting
  • Family Tables provided a forum for individuals or groups to share poems, verses of scripture, skits, songs, etc. in an informal setting
  • Truthadors, with signature blue sashes, were groups of performers that walked the festival performing for small groups in an ad-hoc manner
  • Frisbee-catching dogs
  • Gymnastics demonstrations
  • Outdoor activities such as basketball, football and relay races

[edit] Food

  • Ice Cream
  • Quick Quality (small dishes such as chicken, pizza, farmer's market and burgers (WOW Burgers)
  • Full-Meal (larger meals with sides such as chimichangas, lasagna and cod)
  • Tent Combo (similar to Quick Quality, but located in Tent City for the convenience of tent campers)
  • Beverage Stands (drinks, cookies and pies)

[edit] Professional group meetings

  • Education workers
  • Farmers and Gardeners
  • Fine Arts
  • Inventors
  • Legal
  • Military
  • Builders
  • Writers/Editors

[edit] Children's events

  • Bible teachings (Children's Fellowship)
  • Ira Hearne Children's Zoo
  • Fire Engine 70 rides
  • Mystery Train rides
  • Water play area
  • Playground

[edit] Volunteers and patrols

  • Bless Patrol (general help, security service and information)
  • Camping (specialized in tent raising, RV hookups, etc.)
  • Parking
  • Shuttle (drove tractors that pulled people-moving wagons to and from parking)
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