New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer returned to Hershey in late August 2016 for a three-day conference at the Giant Center. The event was free and open to all, and it drew attendees from up and down the East Coast.
Why Hershey
Meyer’s ministry has made Hershey a regular stop. A spokesperson for Joyce Meyer Ministries, who also served as one of the conference emcees, said the ministry loves Hershey because people there are hungry for God. The comment was a playful nod to a town better known for its appetite for chocolate.
Meyer’s conferences typically draw tens of thousands of people over the course of several sessions. Attendees come to hear what the ministry describes as a message of hope and encouragement, with practical teaching from Scripture that they can apply to everyday life. According to the ministry, year after year attendees fill the arena for exactly that.
Session schedule
The conference featured four free sessions:
- Thursday, August 25, at 7 p.m.
- Friday, August 26, at 10 a.m.
- Friday, August 26, at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 27, at 10 a.m.
Doors opened two hours before each session, and seating was first-come, first-served. Worship at each session was led by Christian recording artist Phil Wickham.
No registration was required. Interpretation for the deaf was provided, and Spanish translation was available. Seats in those sections were reserved until 30 minutes before each session began.
Helping a local nonprofit
Meyer’s conferences often include an outreach component tied to the host community. In Hershey, the ministry chose to support Morning Star Pregnancy Services, a Harrisburg nonprofit that provides care and practical help to women, men and teens facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of diapers, wipes and formula to the Giant Center. The items were collected through Multiply Hope, the outreach arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries, and distributed locally to families in need. Signs marked the donation area so attendees could easily drop off their contributions.
The ministry described its approach as mobilizing conference attendees to help the local community, turning a large gathering into an opportunity for practical service.
Donation drives like this one give a large crowd a simple way to leave something lasting behind. A single package of diapers may seem small, but multiplied across thousands of attendees, the contributions can supply a local agency for months.
About Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer is one of the best-known Christian authors and speakers in the world. She has written dozens of books, many of them best sellers, and her teaching is broadcast on television and radio around the globe. Her ministry, based in Missouri, also operates humanitarian programs in many countries.
Her conferences are known for their mix of worship music and teaching. Meyer’s style is direct and often humorous, and she frequently draws on her own life experiences to illustrate her points.
Event details
What: Joyce Meyer Conference
When: Thursday, August 25, at 7 p.m.; Friday, August 26, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 27, at 10 a.m.
Admission: Free
Where: Giant Center, 550 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
Phone: 717-534-3911
Parking: A fee applies
More information: joycemeyer.org
A late-summer gathering
For many in Lancaster County and the surrounding region, the conference was an annual tradition, a chance to spend a few days in worship and reflection before the busy fall season began. Churches often organized groups to attend together, and families made a day of it in Hershey.
With free admission, accessible services and a chance to give back to families in need, the 2016 conference offered something for longtime followers and first-time visitors alike.