Squeals of laughter and the smell of cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs filled the air. Children were scurrying from one large inflatable to another.
The church had come to town, not the circus. Kershaw Second Baptist Church moved their Wednesday night service outside the walls of the building and into the community in order to host a block party to engage the neighborhood. Pastor Jamie Rogers is leading his congregation to engage those who are lost and focus on loving the community. During the night, the individuals of the church served and had an opportunity to get to know those who did not go to church anywhere.
“I met Calvin. He told me he believed in God, but I challenged him and told him Satan believes there is a God too. I then shared the gospel with him,” said Rogers. A few minutes later, he encouraged a young father to come to their Sonrise service on Easter Sunday. He, along with four others, attended the service. On Monday, he ran into Calvin at the store, who said that he told all his co-workers about their conversation at work.
A member of First Baptist Church in Montmorenci approached lead pastor Tommy Richardson and wanted to start using his skills on his grill to make barbecue for block parties around the state. He calls it “Holy Smoke BBQ.” They conducted a block party for a church that was running only a dozen in worship. When they smelled the barbecue, they came from all over the neighborhood. There were 75 at the block party and 14 were saved! Holy Smoke!
Ebenezer Baptist Church in West Union joined with 9 other churches in the association for a community-wide block party. More than 3,000 attended. “We can do so much more together than separately. Our DOM David Shirley did an amazing job bringing us together to bless the community. God is doing something in our community, and I’m excited to be a part of it!” said pastor Brad Kelley.
“Missional communities are shifting the responsibility of our people from attendance on Sunday morning to mission Monday through Saturday,” said Joel Ainsworth, community pastor of The Church at Cane Bay, Screven Association. Lead pastor John Doe’s* missional community hosts a Lowcountry boil for newcomers to his growing neighborhood. The last one had 50 adults and children in attendance. None of them had any connection with a church.
Churches all across our state are throwing a party, but you don’t have to wait on your church to organize one. Pull out the grill, invite the neighbors and their kids, and start the conversation! Get ready, community. The church is coming to town.
*Name changed for security reasons.