Northern New Jersey will host two regional festivals over the coming week as part of the lead up to NY CityFest with Luis Palau, a massive free event to be held on the Great Lawn of Central Park this July 11.

On Saturday, June 27th, NJ CityFest-Elizabeth will take place on the steps of Elizabeth City Hall (50 Winfield Scott Plaza) starting at 12pm and featuring top national Christian music artists including the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling Latin pop singer Jaci Velasquez, Christian Hip Hop artist Tedashii, and Mexican singer Marisol Park. Emceeing the free festival is celebrity impersonator, singer and comedian Martin Russo.

The following Sunday, July 5th, NJ CityFest-Clinton will take place at Southridge Community Church (7 Pittstown Road) and will begin at 4pm. The festival will feature appearances by five-time GMA Dove Award-winner Jeremy Camp, as well as American Idol finalist Danny Gokey. Also featured will be stunt performances by professional BMX and skateboarding athletes, Kids Zone activities for children, and a fireworks display. Tickets are $10 advance and $20 at the gate, available at www.NYCityFest.org.

At both festivals, renowned evangelist Andrew Palau will share his inspirational message of "Good News in the City."

NJ CityFest-Elizabeth and NJ CityFest-Clinton are celebrations of NY CityServe, an outreach that launched in the NYC market in Sept. 2014 after local business, political and faith leaders representing 1,200 churches, nonprofit organizations and local government initiatives from the five boroughs, NJ and CT came together and pledged to love and serve all of the area. NY CityServe events have included gatherings, conferences and community outreach events in addition to a series of festivals and musical performances in the tri-state area. To date, more than 120,000 people have attended festivals and musical events in New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut, with many more events planned.

The largest celebration of NY CityServe will take place on July 11 when NY CityFest with Luis Palau, a massive free festival on the Great Lawn in Central Park, will bring a constellation of stars from music, television and sports together to perform and inspire, including Grammy-Award winning artists Mandisa, TobyMac, Marcos Witt, Israel Houghton, Matt Redman, and Hezekiah Walker, alongside celebrity speakers such as Mariano Rivera and Myrka Dellanos. Luis Palau will present his special "Good News in the City" address during the massive gathering, a message to reflect on the city's diversity, as churches of all denominations and ethnic backgrounds have come together from all five boroughs and the Tri-State area to make the festival possible.

CityServe began in Portland, Oregon in 2008 after the Palau Association partnered with leaders in the faith, civic, and business communities to work for the common good in that city. More than 27,000 volunteers from all sectors of society participated in this very first "Season of Service." Today, the initiative has become a long-term vision for city transformation. Through collaborative efforts and partnership, other cities followed suit. Houston, San Diego, Sacramento, Little Rock, Phoenix, Seattle, and many other cities now have their own growing movements.