November 2, 2025

Reno-Tahoe CityFest’s launch Saturday, August 23 experienced a slight delay in the start time due to lightning strikes. Volunteers took shelter to pray and worship, believing for the skies to clear, and they did. The festival kicked off with a huge spirit of faith!

Rancho San Rafael Park was alive with energy as music filled the air, crowds gathered for the BMX show, children experienced the Good News in a way just for them, and—best of all—lives were changed as people responded to the Gospel.

Lightning struck at the beginning of the Reno-Tahoe CityFest on Saturday, August 23. Yet, it couldn’t break the spirits of the hundreds of volunteers who came out to support the event. While the thunder roared, many gathered and sang hymns with joy and gratitude.

In an answer to prayer, the lightning subsided. But there was no diminishing the the spirit and enthusiasm which reached great heights on this day for the many who attended. Here are more images from the first day of the event.

Sunday for the Reno-Tahoe CityFest arrived with a bluster. Following a Saturday delayed due to lightning, high winds were threatening to damper spirits on this subsequent day of the much anticipated event. 

Adjustments were made. For instance, the bounce houses weren’t deemed safe, and some of the children’s events were taken off of the main stage. Yet perseverance and good cheer reined. And this was even despite the later arriving rain! Here’s part one in pictures of the amazing story of God’s faithfulness in creating an unforgettable and life-changing day.

As the high winds subsided Sunday for CityFest, a sigh of relief came across the festival organizers. And then came the rain just as the music started on the main stage. Rhett Walker and his band played on gamely, and the faithful continued to cheer and sing.

Yet, the cold, hard, rain was driving away younger families. The festival leadership team led by Andrew Palau gathered to pray for a break in the weather. Not only did the break occur, but it arrived with a spectacular double rainbow perfectly framing the stage. Promises made. Promises kept. The show went on with excellent weather featuring Jon Reddick, a life-changing message from Andrew, and a triumphant close by Cain.

The Men’s BBQ Outreach this Thursday, August 21 was a resounding success, where nearly 500 men gathered together, under the Nevada sun, to enjoy community, food, and a comedy set by Dustin Nickerson. Nike design legend, Wilson Smith, also spoke to the crowd, and Andrew Palau shared the Good News to end the night. In total, 40+ men responded to the message!

Wendy Palau shared her story at the Stories of Hope Women’s Outreach on Tuesday, August 19, which was a beautiful time where the Gospel went out to hundreds of women. Rachael Lampa, an award-winning artist, joined Wendy for the evening, sharing her music along with her own story of faith. The event, co-chaired by Jen Campbell of Awaken and Lindsey Bridges, featured a charcuterie training, led by Jen Fisk. In total, there were over 340 in attendance and more than 40 women surrendered their hearts to Jesus for the first time ever.

More than 120 women from churches all around the region assembled Wednesday, August 6 for food, fellowship, and prayer at Encounter Ministry in South Reno. To get things kicked off in a tasty manner the men of Encounter Ministry served up a barbecue for the ladies featuring smoked tri-tip, pork shoulder, and macaroni and cheese. After a fine meal and the requisite robust conversations, the women entered into an evening of worship and prayer for the upcoming Reno-Tahoe CityFest and for revival to break out in our city. Women were encouraged as well to host tables for “Stories of Hope” an outreach event for women on Tuesday, August 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Reno Sparks Convention Center.  

On Thursday, July 24, Christians from all over the community assembled to pray for revival across the region. The evening was warmly hosted by Horizon Church in Sparks. It was an incredible night of worship, fellowship, and fervent prayer. It’s in anticipation of all that God will do through the Reno-Tahoe CityFest this August. 

The second of two Men’s Ministry Leadership gatherings occurred on Wednesday, July 16 at the Encounter Ministry building in South Reno.  This time, the leaders from churches all across the region were treated to a BBQ feast featuring smoked tri-tip & brisket. It was a great evening of fellowship, food, worship, prayer and further coordination for the Reno-Tahoe CityFest Men’s Outreach Event scheduled for Thursday, August 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’re interested in hosting a table or helping us spread the word about the event, click on the buttons below.

Bestselling author and international speaker Mark Mittelberg taught a large group gathered at Sparks Christian Fellowship on May 13  insights into Relational Evangelism. Based off of his popular books, Mittleberg teaches that everyone can be an evangelist, and that the task doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, it’s as easy as being a good friend.

The event is the first of a series of similar trainings being launched throughout the community in advance of Reno-Tahoe CityFest, scheduled for August 23-24. 

Leaders of Men’s Ministry from churches all around the area gathered for a time of fellowship, worship, and planning on Tuesday,  June 24. The purpose was chiefly to discuss the Reno-Tahoe CityFest Men’s Outreach Event scheduled for Thursday, August 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The outreach event will be at Rancho San Rafael Park, and will feature a brisket barbecue feast, as well as music, and a message from Andrew Palau. 

The Men’s Ministry gathering was the first of two meetings hosted at the Encounter Ministry building in South Reno. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. At this first leadership gathering (shown in accompanying photos) beyond the planning, it was a powerful evening of building church unity, growing relationships, and sharing in a celebration of men’s ministry. At the end of the evening, leaders stepped up with pledges already for 80 table sponsorships for the August outreach event, which amounts to 800 men…close already to the initial target goal of 1,000+ men.  Special thanks go out to Chick-Fil-A which generously sponsored the evening’s meals.

Some 1,600 people gathered April 8 to join evangelists Andrew and Wendy Palau for an event offered as prelude to the Reno-Tahoe CityFest coming late summer. The event was hosted primarily at Grace Church, but an overflow of guests also celebrated at South Reno Baptist Church.

The evening featured praise and worship led by musicians from several of the churches in the area. Several local church leaders offered times of prayer and words of encouragement and the evening was capped off with a concert by singer-songwriter Matt Redman and his talented band.

A group of Christian business people and community benefactors gathered Monday, April 7 at the National Auto Museum for an evening of hot rods, great conversation, and prayer for our region.

This event featured evangelists Andrew and Wendy Palau sharing a vision of hope for the Reno-Tahoe area. It served as a fundraiser for the upcoming Reno-Tahoe CityFest this August.

Randy Burtis

PALAU | Festival Director

Kevin Palau

PALAU | President