Christian Freedom Music Festival coming to Odessa

ODESSA - Local "pizza baker" and musician Nate Lathrop will be putting on a music festival full of Christian music, prayer and testimonials from residents Saturday, July 22.

The downtown Christian Freedom Music Festival will take place outside Rolling Thunder Ministries -- also known as Rolling Thunder Pizza – at 13 W. First St., from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Stand, an Idaho-based band, will headline the event, he said. Others performances include Flog a Mocker, JESUS Family Music and Lathrop himself.

Festival-goers will also hear from Bonnie and Clint Campbell, Pastor Tom Van Der Ende, George Smith and Thad Striffer.

This is the fourth year for the festival.

Lathrop a local business owner, and 20-year army trauma nurse, became an "avid follower of Jesus" after a heart attack in 2012, he said, noting he was nearly pronounced dead.

Lathrop spreads his Christian message through his guitar ministry as well as the "cowboy church" he hosts at his ranch, he said.

"We have a lot of local vendors and performers, but always have room for more," Lathrop said.

Lathrop and his volunteers hope to see many people come and enjoy the healing and music.