South Carolina Baptists are mobilizing to participate in the National Night Out event this August and take the traditional partnership between single-family residence neighborhoods and law enforcement into the state’s multihousing developments.
National Night Out, a neighborhood anti-crime initiative, is a good jumping-off point for South Carolina Baptist churches to get involved in multihousing ministry, says a South Carolina Baptist Convention strategist.National Night Out (NNO), now in its 28th year, uses block parties, cookouts, parades and contests to build relationships between neighborhoods and local law enforcement. Through the relationships, NNO, according to its website (www.nationaltownwatch.org), is designed to heighten crime- and drug-prevention awareness, generate participation in anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized for crime prevention.
Ronnie Cox, Acts 1:8 strategist for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, is a champion of multihousing ministry among Southern Baptists. For National Night Out, to be held on Aug. 2, Cox is leading the introduction of the effort into South Carolina’s multihousing communities.
“Fifty percent of our state population lives in multihousing, and 96 percent of those people are unchurched,” said Cox, “so we’re trying to build long-term relationships to ultimately connect with lost people.”
More than 70 local and county law enforcement agencies in South Carolina are registered to support National Night Out. Cox is looking for South Carolina Baptist churches interested in partnering with their local law enforcement agencies for a missional presence in multihousing developments on Aug. 2. He said many churches already involved in multihousing ministry will participate in NNO, but more are needed.
“The evening can involve a carnival with inflatables, activities and games, community cookout, and maybe special music,” Cox said. “The event is not a church event – the music not praise and worship. This is a community opportunity for law enforcement, and we are the legwork for them.” Even so, there is opportunity during a short law enforcement program for the church to introduce itself. The average drop-in event lasts about two hours.
“The average event in a single complex might take 15 police officers,” Cox said. “But if the church can provide those 15 volunteers, then only one or two officers are needed. That allows officers to spread over eight to 10 different venues instead of being housed all at one.”
Cox said interested churches can contact him at 803-227-6006 or by e-mail: ronniecox@scbaptist.org. Regional training events will be conducted this summer. Alternate days around Aug. 2 are also available if local scheduling is more convenient.
“It’s all about building community,” Cox said. “Apartment managers know that when residents get to know one another, they are more likely to renew leases and stay in the apartments. Most managers welcome this opportunity because it gets their people mixing together and knowing one another. Law enforcement benefits because of the anti-crime relationships it can build in communities. Churches benefit because of the short- and long-term kingdom benefit that comes through relationships.”
Cox warned that a church shouldn’t enter National Night Out without being committed to long-term multihousing ministry in the development. “We aren’t really looking for churches that host this event and then disappear,” he said. “We’re looking for churches interested in multihousing ministry and [to] take on National Night Out as one project in that mix.” – SCBC