A new Missionary Expo scheduled Friday, Oct. 3, will include a concert, with proceeds going to the general LDS missionary fund.
The 8 p.m. concert will feature returned missionary artists Nathan Pacheco, Rebecca Pacheco and BYU Vocal Point, along with Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker. The performers will be accompanied by the Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra, a 90-piece ensemble sponsored by the American Heritage private school.
“It’s cool because future missionaries will get to accompany all of these returned missionaries,” said Kayson Brown, director of Lyceum Orchestra.
The returned missionary performers will not only entertain the crowd with their musical talent, but they will also share their personal mission experiences between sets.
“It will be uplifting and edifying to everyone that comes,” said Kent Hansen, promoter and organizer of the event.
Nathan Pacheco, an artist performing his opera- and pop-infused debut album at the concert, is excited to share what he learned through his mission in Brazil, something that continues to influence his life today.
“I hope that people can realize what an honor it is to be an ambassador for the Lord and to go out and help people come unto Christ,” Pacheco said.
Leading up to the concert throughout the week the expo will feature a mash-up of info booths and speakers that will offer aid not only applicable to outbound missionaries.
“It will be everything under the sun dealing with missionary work,” Hansen said.
Wednesday is a special night full of career and info booths specifically for youth and returned missionaries.
“We would like to reach out to returned missionaries and help them remember their purpose after they get home,” Hansen said.
This includes a career and education fair equipped with recruiters as well as a presentation by Garrett Giles, a psychologist who works with early returned missionaries. For senior missionaries there will be preparatory information booths as well as an international section to inform missionaries traveling outside of the country.
The benefit concert will act as the finale, rounding everyone up at the UCCU Center on Oct. 3. Although the expo is free throughout the week, tickets for the concert cost anywhere from $10 to $50 and can be purchased here.
More information can be found here.
