Nonprofit producing Pastors Square Off

Twelve pastors from the area are performing in a “Hollywood Squares”-style fundraiser this week.

North Kent Pastors Square Off will entertain about 600 guests to raise money for food and empowerment programs at the Rockford-based nonprofit North Kent Connect.

The pastors will take turns representing X’s and O’s on a tic-tac-toe board.

The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, at 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE.

Tickets are $50 each and include the game show and appetizers.

Gusts can purchase tickets on the organization’s website.

Participating pastors

Jeff Amlotte,
 Mamrelund Lutheran Church

Paul Bradford, 
Rockford Reformed Church

Jeff DeRyke, 
Bridgeway Community Church

Father Stephen Durkee,
 Our Lady of Consolation

Karen Fitz LaBarge,
 North Kent Presbyterian Church

Father Tony Pelak,
 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ben Taylor,
 Sparta Baptist Church

Laurie TenHave-Chapman, 
First Congregational United Church of Christ

Father Mark Peacock, St. Patrick Parnell

Jason Peterson,
 St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Justin Rowland,
 Rockford Baptist Church

Inge Whittemore,
 East Nelson United Methodist Church

North Kent Connect

North Kent Connect operates a food pantry, a thrift store and offers educational programs.

The organization serves about 5,000 people annually.