How the Hark Up Christmas Event Came to Be

Hark Up! What’s in a name? In 1998 when it became known that Grooters and Beal were not going to go forward with the production of the “Rock Vespers” another year, some of us who had participated in Rock Vespers decided that we would carry on the tradition of a contemporary Christmas music outreach. In 1999 “Hark Up”, or “Listen Up! - We have a story to tell!” was born.

We, the creators of the Hark Up event, had been affiliated with a local church until January 1, 2007, although the event was never funded by that church. Currently the Hark Up Christmas event is sponsored by Hark Up Music. Upon separating from this local church, Hark Up Music was born.

Hark Up Music (HUM) is a Worship and Arts Ministry currently operating as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our ministry is committed to using creative avenues of music and other arts in bringing the gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the community. HUM encourages multi-generational and multi-ethnic participation. We strongly encourage youth participation and are committed to creating exciting God honoring artistic events.

The Hark Up Christmas outreach event is the focal event offered to the community by Hark Up Music. It is currently staged and produced at the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Arts and Worship on the campus of Grand Rapids Christian High School again this year. Tens of Thousands of people from all over West Michigan have experienced the Hark Up Christmas event since it’s inception.

The Hark Up Christmas event’s leadership is all volunteer the show is funded primarily through donations and ticket sales.  For more information contact us at harkup@gmail.com.