Topeka to Host Open Skies Worship Event Marking Pentecostal Anniversary

The inaugural Open Skies worship event is scheduled for September 26 at Evergy Plaza in Topeka, Kansas. The free, open-air gathering will feature performances by Bethel Music, led by Jenn Johnson, and hip-hop artist KB. Organizers describe the event as an intentional effort to foster community and invite attendees to explore the Christian faith through music and prayer.

The event coincides with the 125th anniversary of the 1901 Topeka Outpouring, a historical gathering at Charles Parham’s Bethel Bible School often cited as a foundational moment for the modern Pentecostal movement. Cody Foster, founder of the hosting organization AIM 5 Foundation, stated that the event aims to honor the city's spiritual history and its legacy as a site of significant religious activity.

While organizers emphasize a welcoming atmosphere for all, the event has drawn opposition from the Westboro Baptist Church. The group has announced plans to protest the gathering, characterizing the musical performances as "satanic." Despite the planned demonstration, organizers expect thousands of attendees to participate in the evening of music and community engagement.