Contact: Brian Rechten, General Manager, The Bridge, 732-588-0861

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., April 13, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- When Bridge FM organizers booked Brandon Heath ("I'm Not Who I Was," "Give Me Your Eyes") and Francesca Battistelli ("Free To Be Me," "Hundred More Years") for their annual Bridgefest Beach Festival in beautiful Ocean Grove, NJ, they had no idea their headliners would go on to win the 2010 Dove Awards' Male and Female Vocalist of the Year. Heath and Battistelli are up for a combined four 2011 Dove Awards!

The extra buzz will make the 6th annual gathering on June 24 and 25 the best yet, said GM Brian Rechten. "We couldn't be more excited if we tried! Between the amazing artistic talent and the largest turnout of Bridge FM teachers in the history of Bridgefest, we really can't wait!"

Joining Heath and Battistelli will be Canadian band Downhere, all onstage inside Ocean Grove's historic Great Auditorium. Downhere will be preceded by a powerful testimony from Brian Broderson, from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, the California church that started the Calvary Chapel movement, which has led to more than 1,500 non-denominational churches around the world. The evening's gospel message will be provided by Pastor Jack Hibbs, also from California.

Bridgefest 2011 will include Pastors Rodney Finch, Jack Abeelen, Lloyd Pulley, Chris McCarrick, Tony Clark, Bobby Hargraves, Nathan Robinson & John Randall speaking throughout the weekend.

Bridgefest kicks off with teachings from 9am to 6pm, a youth rally from 2 to 4 pm, followed by a Bridge FM teachers 'meet-and-greet' starting at 6 pm. The concert & messages kick off in the Great Auditorium at 7:15 pm.

On Saturday, the fun moves to Ocean Grove's beautiful beach starting at 8 am with free surf lessons, followed by games, inflatables, food, vendors, music, teachings and an ocean baptism.

Tickets can be purchased at www.bridgefest.org or by calling 888-861-6100.

God has used The Bridge to reach millions all over the world, through online streaming, and throughout the New York / New Jersey area on these stations:

• 89.7 FM - Monmouth & Ocean Counties, NJ
   
• 91.9 FM - Southern Middlesex County, NJ
   
• 103.1 FM - North Jersey & New York City
   
• 99.7 FM - Sullivan County, NY
   
• 94.3 FM - Pomona, NY
  
• 106.9 FM - Poughkeepsie, NY

For more about Bridgefest, visit www.bridgefest.org or call Brian Rechten, 732-588-0861. For more about The Bridge, visit www.bridgefm.org.