Every year we do several outreach “bridge” events into our community. The Fall Festival is a good example of an event targeting the community. Here are the only limitations I see…you can’t put 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. In other words, we cannot manufacture any more space. This event is about as big as we can make it on our church campus. Otherwise, it has been a wonderful opportunity to serve the community.
Let me review some of our goals for this event:
1. We are intentionally going head to head with Halloween. We believe we can offer a family friendly, fun and safe event that does not pay tribute to witches, devils, or any of the dark side associated with Halloween.
2. Instead, we offer a family event that features fun, activities, a safer environment in a setting with followers of Jesus. Not many events bring as many unchurched families onto the JIBC campus.
3. Our goal is to provide a positive experience that allows families to come and enjoy time with their children in a safer environment. It has been a long time, if ever, when it made sense to send our children to the doors of strangers, on darkened roads, to accept gifts from strangers. Not trying to spoil anyone’s traditional fun, just sayin’ there are safer alternatives.
4. Even if we set aside the missional aspect of serving the community; the social correctness of family friendly activities; the theological issues with Halloween….it is just a BIG FUN EVENT!
So, how do you plug in? Pray. Really, we will do more than pray. We will do more and better after we pray. Volunteer. This is a volunteer army. On Wednesday night, October 30, we will wear our work clothes and be staging for the Thursday night Fall Festival. It takes dozens of volunteers to staff this festival. All types of volunteers are needed: work a booth, cook a meal, clean and empty, welcome and greet, watch for security, etc. Sign up tables are by the church office. Donate Candy. No child wants to feel like they missed out on the opportunity to load up on sweets…they surely get their bag filled at JIBC! Donate funds. Always there is something that has to be purchased. Your gifts make it easier to do.
Good Lord willing, I plan to be there.
Pastor Tom
