Christian music lovers may be familiar with Joe Melendrez for his music, ministry, God Swagg Apparel and other ways of sharing the Good News. The 2008 University of Dayton alumnus will be live at The FEST beginning at noon on Aug. 8 in Brookside Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, 3900 John Nagy Blvd., Cleveland. “Take Courage” is the theme for the 21st annual FEST, which will be both live at the new location and virtual for those who choose to participate from the safety of their homes.
Melendrez will take the stage as the first performer to open the daylong festival of faith, family and fun. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the festivities conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic at 8 p.m. “There will be an exciting finale after Mass,” said Father Bob Stec, FEST founder and pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick.
Tickets are required for all FEST attendees age 6 and older. Cost is $10. Those needing financial assistance to attend can apply online from The FEST in-need fund. Visit theFEST.us, email FEST@theFEST.us or call 440-943-7662. Physical or digital tickets will be scanned as attendees enter the park.
In addition to performing, Melendrez said he’ll handle some emcee duties and will have a booth near the stage. He also plans to greet and interact with FEST attendees.
He first heard about The FEST from a college friend. “I never saw a Catholic event like that,” he recalled.
Melendrez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, developed a love for performing at age 15 after appearing on MTV. Later that year, while participating in a Teen A.C.T.S. Retreat, he had what he called “a powerful moment. I had no full relationship with God at that time, but had a powerful encounter at the retreat.” After that, Melendrez said he wanted to share that experience with others.
“God’s hand is in everything,” Melendrez said. “The goal is to build a generation of believers so that all people may encounter Christ and spend the rest of their lives sharing the Good News with others.”
He attended a Marianist high school in San Antonio and heard about the University of Dayton from a counselor. “It was the best four years of my life,” he said. With his degree in religious studies, he worked at a Marianist high school in Los Angeles, California teaching religion and serving as a youth minister for more than a decade. When he met his wife – also a Catholic high school teacher – he was involved in full-time retreat ministry. They have two children, a 4-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, their pandemic baby, Melendrez said. “He’s a major blessing,” he added.
In 2019, Melendrez stepped out of the high school classroom and into full-time ministry, traveling around the country to share his message with parishes and schools. He is a musical performer, workshop presenter, keynote speaker, retreat leader and event MC. He also developed a digital ministry including Bible study, faith night youth gatherings, a monthly speaker series and a digital retreat, as well as his podcast, “Mission Driven.”
“I try to bring an excitement, joy, energy, say-it-like-you-mean-it attitude to prayer and my shows,” he said. He also tries to make the audience feel involved, often inviting volunteers onto the stage, where he said the energy of the Holy Spirit is alive.
As a performer, Melendrez has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, Australia and South America. He even performed at World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain, which Pope Benedict attended.
Melendrez released his first CD, a rosary rap, shortly after college. He also has four major Catholic hip-hop albums. During his performance at The FEST, visitors will hear the debut of five new tracks with the theme of “praiseship.”
He also created God Swagg Apparel, a faith-based clothing line inspired by Ephesians 6:10-18. He wanted to create a clothing line that represented God “in a very relevant and attractive way.” His slogan is “Rep What You Believe,” which he said “encourages all disciples to be proud to represent their faith, wear it every day and truly let God be their fashion.”
Click here to learn more about Melendrez and his ministry.
Father Stec said The FEST is working with Meritech to introduce a new feature at this year: a gamification activity called “Seek and Find.” FEST attendees can visit any display at the sponsor and vendor booths, scan the QR code with their smartphone and be entered into a drawing for prizes including iPads, Browns and Indians tickets, Marc’s gift cards and more.
The first 5,000 FEST attendees will receive a free meal – sub sandwich, chips and a bottle of water – courtesy of Marc’s a longtime FEST sponsor and supporter. Father Stec said Marc’s also arranged for more than $20,000 in giveaways for event attendees, including gas grills, washer/dryer, gift cards and more.
Plenty of parking will be available near The FEST, with Barons Bus, a longtime FEST supporter, providing a fleet of 20 shuttle buses transporting event attendees to and from off-site parking throughout the day. Watch The FEST website for more information.
“You win – everyone wins – while we get inspired to ‘Take Courage’ at The FEST, in person and at home,” Father Stec added.
For more information on The FEST, including parking, tickets, performers and a schedule of events, click here.
