Pastor John Withem says the event ultimately reached out to between 1,200 and 1,400 people. The party included pony rides, bounce houses, a reptile petting zoo, free hamburgers, soda, water, cotton candy and more. Families, homeless people, and gang members were among those who took it in – sometimes seated next to each other, Withem adds.
The church took a second offering to help fund the May 23rd event, but did not do it alone. Withem quickly points out that the mayor’s office, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the police department, Costco, 7-Up, and others were key partners.
The city waived typical fees for such an event. The police department provided plain-clothes officers to be on-hand. Costco and 7-Up donated water and soda while another business provided the jump houses free of charge.
Withem gave two guidelines to the church’s 60 volunteers who were onsite during the day: “No advertising and everything is free.” Still, about 30 guests visited the church the next day as a result, and one of those men received new life in Christ, Withem says.
One Step Closer Now Available in Spanish
CHICAGO, IL – One Step Closer, a six-eight hour workshop designed to equip and spur congregations in their ministry of evangelism, is now available in Spanish. The Spanish workshop is titled Un Paso Más Cerca.
Attendees learn together in an interactive discussion-based format covering a wide range of topics that include barriers to evangelism, the process of evangelism, community evangelism, spiritual friendships, the nature of evangelism, and the Gospel.
For more information on bringing Un Paso Más Cerca or One Step Closer to your church, email Carla Erickson or call 773-907-3352.
Church Reaches Out to Abused Women
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – The ministry of Riverside Covenant Church to women victims of abuse and abandonment was featured in the local Journal & Courier newspaper.
The 15-20 women gather each Wednesday night to share their stories and receive mentoring.
Church member Katie Taylor leads the group. “There is a common goal of hope and healing,” she tells the newspaper. “I am divorced and have been through the same thing the women have experienced. I leave the meeting knowing that the women have hope.”
The church makes it easier for women to attend by providing childcare. “They can talk and spend time discovering how God can transform their lives,” Pastor Dan Teefey says.
“We should minister to widows,” Teefey says in reference to scripture. “These women are the modern widows of our day.”
