Malta Man Has 20-Year History with Milk River Gospel Jamboree

John Koss of Malta is part of a dedicated committee of volunteers who make the Milk River Gospel Jamboree a welcoming experience for all audience members, singers, musicians, and groups. The 2023 event will take place June 23-25 at Malta High School, 8th Street West, in Malta, MT.

Koss first became involved with the Milk River Gospel Jamboree as a musician, playing guitar with a mixed quartet singing Southern Gospel music, when something unexpected happened.

"After I became involved with this Gospel event, I realized that I wanted to play Gospel music, to hear others playing Gospel music, and to work with Christian people to promote Gospel music in North Central Montana. In the early 1990s, not too long after I became a Christian, I was asked to play with my church's worship team. It was then, playing for God instead of myself, that I realized my ability to learn chords and songs had markedly improved," Koss explains.

Today, Koss works diligently alongside the committee members to make the Jamboree a positive experience for others.

"All of us at the Milk River Gospel Jamboree want others to share the joy and blessings of the Good News, Gospel music,, and the fellowship of the body of Christ the same as we enjoy. The positive message of Christian music is something our society needs. The Milk River Gospel Jamboree is a place where those who need a blessing will find it," Koss says.

The event draws guests from about 90 miles around, but has also attracted visitors from several hours away in Montana, North Dakota, and Canada. Some have seen billboards for the Milk River Gospel Jamboree along U.S. Highway 2 and stopped in.

The 2023 Milk River Gospel Jamboree will feature the music of Chris Golden, Sherry Anne, Double Portion, The Paul Family Bluegrass Band, The Last Mountain Boys, Bruce Rawlings, and Next Journey. Admission and meals are offered free of charge; donations accepted; an offering hat is passed once each day. For information on the event and the 2023 artists, visit the website at https://www.mrgjamboree.org, call 406-301-2887, or write Milk River Gospel Jamboree, PO Box 67, Malta, MT 59538.