Former Champion Skier Leads Revival of Hope in Winterville

A nonprofit organization founded by former world champion water skier Kristi Overton Johnson will host the second annual Revival of Hope in Winterville, North Carolina, next week. The event, organized by Victorious Living, will take place on February 23-24, 2024, featuring four free events designed to inspire and uplift attendees. The gatherings will occur under a tent on East Fire Tower Road, offering a welcoming environment for the community.

The Revival of Hope will include two nightly services, a “Discover Your Story” workshop, and a women’s conference. All events are open to the public and do not require tickets. This year’s theme is “Journey to Freedom,” focusing on personal empowerment and overcoming life’s challenges. “We have an incredible speaker lineup this year,” said Overton Johnson. “Their stories prove that painful, frustrating and even life-altering experiences don’t have to hold you back. There is hope for a purpose-filled life, no matter what someone has encountered.”

Among the featured speakers are best-selling author Rabbi Jason Sobel, known for his role as a spiritual adviser for the popular TV series The Chosen and host of “The Chosen Unveiled” on TBN. The event will also showcase worship music and performances by Miriam Webster Sobel, a former Hillsong worship leader from Australia, along with the Gateway Church Worship Team and local talents such as Kellie Brown, Bailey Buck, and Brandie Whitehurst. Additionally, speakers will include Matt Manzari, a professional athlete and survivor of a severe electrical shock, and Rob Whitner, who has overcome significant personal obstacles.

The revival will also provide community engagement opportunities, featuring food and beverages available for purchase from local vendors. The Rock food truck will be present on Friday, while GrillVille will cater on Saturday. Attendees at the women’s conference will receive complimentary breakfast and Awaken Coffee on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 200 participants.

Victorious Living, an outreach of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, aims to encourage and equip individuals, particularly within the corrections community, through biblically-based solutions. Since its inception in 2013, the organization has reached millions across the country, providing hope and freedom to those in prisons and jails. Overton Johnson emphasized the importance of extending this mission into the local community, stating, “A person doesn’t have to be locked up physically to be incarcerated emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. God can set anyone free.”

In a move to broaden accessibility, all services will be live-streamed and translated into Spanish. Additionally, the revival will be broadcast to incarcerated individuals on nearly a million prison tablets nationwide. Members of the Victorious Living ministry team will also visit the Pitt County Detention Center, bringing the revival experience to approximately 400 individuals currently incarcerated locally.

This initiative not only aims to inspire hope but also fosters a sense of community, demonstrating the power of shared stories and collective support. The Revival of Hope promises to be a transformative experience for all involved, reinforcing the belief that everyone has the potential to overcome their struggles and find their path to freedom.