Those seeking solace among the turbulence of 2024 might want to consider an event to be held next month on a Buffalo Township farm.

An American Revival, Faith on the Farm will make a joyful noise from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the farm of Alan and Patty Kelley, which is at 325 Riemer Road, Sarver.

Those who plan to attend should bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on.

Jeff Hartung, who is coordinating the revival with a handful of others, explained the impetus for the event, which he hopes turns into an annual event.

He said he attended a performance in September of Risen to Save, a local praise band, with his friend David Magill.

Magill introduced Hartung to the band members following the inspiring show, and he got into a conversation with one of the band’s vocalists, Marcie Leo.

“I said ‘You know, we are in a place in our country where people are feeling lost because we are going through so much. Wouldn’t it be great to have a revival?’” Hartung said.

He said the band was very enthusiastic about the idea of a revival, and agreed to play if one were organized.

Hartung set about the task of trying to find a location in or near Pittsburgh where the revival would be held.

Hartung, a Greensburg resident who grew up in Mars and is the brother of Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung, said Leo called him a few days later.

“She said she was talking to people who own a farm who would love to host (a revival),” Hartung said.

He soon found himself and his committee meeting Alan and Patty Kelley at their 30-acre beef cattle farm on Riemer Road in Buffalo Township about the possibility of holding the revival there.

“It was just like we could feel this place was special,” Hartung said. “The farm, the corn field, the slight breeze … you could really feel the Holy Spirit’s presence there.”

The faithful group agreed that the farm would be a great location for the revival.

Then, a few days before Christmas, Magill was murdered by a gunman in broad daylight as he pulled up to his business, Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County.

“When we lost him, it was a kick in the stomach, and we thought ‘Should we really go through with this revival?’” Hartung said. “But we pulled together and said he would want this and we should do it.”

Hartung explained that a revival is built on the idea that God’s Holy Spirit will be present at the event to surround those who thirst for righteousness so that they may give their lives to Jesus Christ.

“Our whole goal is to provide that inspiration and that spirit to fulfill people who are there,” he explained. “I’ve seen it change people’s lives.”

He said those who are experiencing fear and uncertainty about the future due to the fractured nature of society in the U.S. right now should attend the revival.

“Christianity is the foundation of this country,” Hartung said. “The forefathers used the Bible to write the constitution.”

He said everyone is welcome regardless of their religion or lack thereof, or their political views.

The revival will feature five speakers and four Christian praise bands.

The keynote speaker will be Joe Standley of the Live Your Freedom Foundation in North Carolina.

Hartung explained that he ran across one of Standley’s YouTube videos and was amazed at his powerful message and speaking style.

“I took a trip to North Carolina and listened to his story and thought ‘Wow, this guy has a powerful story to share on what he went through in his life,’” Hartung said. “I thought this would be a perfect fit for our revival.”

Other speakers will be Jerry Jefferson of Stay Humble Ministries in Arnold, Westmoreland County; Fred Neal of Redemption Church in Lower Burrell; Cindy Vogel of Church at the Heights in Gibsonia, Allegheny County and J.D. Lowry of The Bible Chapel in McMurray, Washington County.

The event also will include about six food trucks, a children’s activity tent with face painting and crafts, a prayer tent manned by a local pastor for those who need prayer, and opportunities to meet the four bands’ members and take pictures with them.

In addition to Risen to Save, the bands to perform will be Sidewalk Prophets, Still and Generations.

The revival’s emcee will be Sydni Goldman, host of The Glory Hour on the Cornerstone Television Network.

Alan Kelley said he and Patty bought their 30-acre Riemer Road property in 1981. They raise beef cattle and grow enough hay for feed.

Kelley said he and his wife attended a Risen to Save performance and were lucky enough to meet Leo.

“They were talking about looking for a place to hold a revival in Pittsburgh,” Kelley recalled. “We said ‘We have a farm. Would that work?’”

He plans to mow his hayfields down to accommodate the chairs and blankets those who plan to attend are being asked to bring, and will clean things up, but will not perform any significant modifications to the farm for the revival.

“A stage is being donated,” Kelley said. “They’re going to bring it in and set it up, then come tear it down and take it away when it’s over.”

He said parking will be at the farm initially, and if the space fills up, Doug Sprankle has given permission for cars to park at Sprankle Woods, which is about 50 feet north of the Kelley Farm on the opposite side of Riemer Road.

Kelley said he is not in the least worried about the affect of the revival on his farm, and is thrilled to host it.

“God has given us his son,” Kelley said. “He died on the cross for our sins and we want to proclaim the Gospel and hopefully bring people to know Christ.”

The Rev. John Warren, executive pastor at Expressway Baptist Church in Freeport, is excited to attend the revival with a group of his congregants.

“I’m hoping it wakes up and revitalizes the church members and puts them back into God’s work and God’s will, because that’s the only way we’re going to reach out into the community, is if God revitalizes us,” he said.

He said his flock will perform whatever tasks are asked of them, and Warren said he will put in some time manning the prayer tent if need be.

“I wanted to leave myself open for where they need me,” Warren said.

Like Hartung, he hopes to reach young people at the revival.

“If you can get the message to them, the better the chance they will be equipped to stand up and serve,” Warren said.

More information on the revival is available at 1735foundation.org.