A dear Jesus-guy recently asked if I had ever been called to seminary. My honest response? “Nope. The Lord never called me to seminary—but He absolutely called me to be a professional Christian educator.” And with that call came a promise: that my training would come through the people, books, and spaces He would provide. And He’s been so faithful!

One of the greatest gifts in this journey has been my recent experience with RenewaNation’s Family Ministry Academy—and friends, it couldn’t have come at a better time. As our church was stepping into a new season of intentionally focusing on Family Ministry, the Academy became a tailor-made answer to prayer.

The structure was simple and powerful:
* One live webinar a month with amazing guest speakers (real-life leaders, not just big names)
* A thoughtful reading assignment I still use regularly
* Peer-reviewed assignments that brought fresh ideas from others walking the same road
* A Facebook group full of encouragement, wisdom, and practical resources

Month by month, topic by topic—from babies to grandparenting, from marriage to ministry models—it was all relevant, biblical, and so very usable. My books are dog-eared. My team is resourced. My vision is clearer. I walked away with a shared language, a deeper understanding of family discipleship, and a toolkit to equip our church and families of all ages and stages.

I’m still reflecting on what I’ve learned. Every piece of it—every speaker, every conversation, every assignment—helped me stay focused on what really matters. I finally feel like I have navigational beacons to keep our Family Ministry grounded in truth and aimed at real-life transformation.

And now – BIG NEWS – the next cohort starts in October, and I want you to know about it because….
1. Scholarships are available, thanks to a generous donor so that the cost is only $250 per person which is a $1250 savings!
2. The Family Ministry Academy is now accredited through the University of Northwestern – St. Paul.
3. If you are considering pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, the Family Ministry Academy counts toward it – plus you get 20% off tuition at Northwestern.

Whether you’re new to Family Ministry or ready to take it deeper, this is an incredible investment in you, your calling, and your church. I’ll be framing my certificate and hanging it proudly—it represents months of growth, joy, and real equipping. I’ve been in the trenches for a hot bunch of decades and the Family Ministry Academy was the clarifying answer to ‘what’s next’ for me and the local church I serve.

If you’re even a little bit curious, reach out to the fabulous Beth Blair at bblair@renewanation.org and tell her I sent you. I get no greater benefit than the joy of sharing something that truly made a difference in me.

Let’s keep growing – together!

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5

One of our amazing leaders, who also serves on staff at a church in a nearby county, shared a beautiful story with me several years ago. Each week, her church gathers for prayer and lifts up their neighborhood—by name, with intention, and with care.

Inspired by their practice, I adapted the idea to fit the church I served a while back and will be incorporating it as part of our Sunday morning prayers beginning in July using the 5-Finger Prayer—a simple, sticky way to help children develop a holy habit of praying for others.

Each finger reminds us to pray for a different part of our local community:

• Thumb – Pray for someone closest to me
  (a local business)
• Pointer – Pray for those who teach me
  (a local school)
• Tall Finger – Pray for government leaders
  (a public official)
• Ring Finger – Pray for those who need help
  (another local church)
• Pinkie – Pray for our own
  (a church family facing extraordinary challenges)

How It Works Each Month

First Sunday of the Month:
We introduce a new prayer prompt card and practice the 5-Finger Prayer together during large group time. Kids take the card home to pray with their families throughout the month.
Prayer Time:
Each Sunday, we pause to pray silently and aloud. Students hold up each finger (or their full hand for the tall finger) as we name each person, group, or organization.
Letter Writing:
At the start of each month, we write a letter to each prayer partner—whether it’s a local school, fire station, business, or family. Kids and leaders sign their first names in bright, fun colors when they arrive on Sunday morning. We mail the letters the following week.

Sample Prayer Letter
Dear [Name],

We consider it a privilege at Macland Community Church to partner with and pray for our neighbors. We believe it’s a joy to lift up our local businesses, leaders, and families in prayer—because we’re all serving one another, and we serve better together.

This month, you were chosen as our Neighborhood Prayer Partner. During our Macland Community Kids Sunday school hour, we will mention you by name and pray for your safety, success, and encouragement.

May God’s greatest blessings rest on you as you faithfully serve our community.

To God be the glory, GREAT things He is doing in our community,
Macland Community Church Children’s Ministry
Littles (Nursery–5th Grade) & Their Leaders

Most children don’t know who to pray for beyond themselves. This simple rhythm helps them:

• Practice prayer, a holy habit , with purpose
• See themselves as part of a larger community
• Grow a habit of loving their neighbors through prayer
• Bless others in real and meaningful ways

This practice connects our kids to the wider world, teaches them to care like Jesus, and reminds our neighbors that we want to be good neighbors, too.

Who can you pray for today?

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:4

When summer planning began last winter, our Children’s Ministry team made an exciting decision: to partner with our local community to ENGAGE individuals beyond our campus and outside of Sunday mornings. One of the most joyful ways we do this is through Driveway Parties, in tandem with our town’s Family-to-Park Movie Nights every Thursday in June and July.

What’s a Driveway Party?

It’s a one-hour neighborhood gathering hosted by a church family on a Thursday—any time between 10:00am–11:00am through 6:30pm–7:30pm. Hosts invite neighbors, classmates, and friends through social media, texts, and fliers. The only “treat” needed? A handful of freeze pops at the end!

Our church supports hosts by:

• Creating a personalized graphic to promote the party.
• Sharing the event with our MCC family and inviting folks to attend as ambassadors of Jesus through service, storytelling, and play. Our church kids, and their families, are the best advertising for our children’s ministry.
• Providing all the fun and faith tools for a joyful, Jesus-centered experience!

A Typical Driveway Party Schedule:

• 3:30pm – Arrive & set up in the shade
• 3:50pm – Start hand/leg painting (we skip face painting so it can be seen!)
• 4:05pm – Group welcome & introductions
• 4:10pm – Song with motions (Ex: “Power Shuffle”)
• 4:15pm – Quick game (Heads/Tails with a quarter or Rock, Paper, Scissors)
• 4:20pm – Another motion song (Ex: “Praise the Lord Everyday”)
• 4:25pm – Jesus story with listener participation
• 4:30pm – Prayer teaching (from a greeting of “Dear Lord” to “Amen” which means ‘that’s the truth)
• 4:35pm – Sharing the gospel through colors, books, posters, or symbols
• 4:40pm – Prayer rock response (write or place in neighborhood)
• 4:50pm – Read-aloud: “His Grace Is Enough” or “Wherever You Go…” by Melissa Kruger
• 5:00pm – Freeze pop snack!

Why We ENGAGE

Our Driveway Parties are more than fun—they’re first-touch events designed to:

1. Show God’s love through generosity and gospel storytelling.
2. Teach and model how to share Jesus with others.
3. Offer all four parts of worship—teaching (the Bible), serving (games), holy habits (song & prayer), and table life (snacks & games)—in a playful, outdoor, developmentally-appropriate way.

ENGAGE is the first step in our church’s discipleship rhythm:

ENGAGE → CONNECT → FORM → SEND → (repeat ENGAGE!)

By engaging our community where they live and play, we live out our name—Macland Community Church.

Just last week, a local pastor shared with us the heartbreak of having no children in their congregation. Driveway Parties are one beautiful way we go to the children and their families, bringing the love of Jesus to their very streets.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14

Last week was my denominational Annual Conference. It’s a time of Christian community focused on worship (prayer, giving, singing, proclamation), teaching (workshops and breakouts), serving (sharing resources, hosting, helping, voting, equipping), and table life (prayer, meals, fellowship) of the Christian family business of the Global Methodist Church.

I was invited to present a Creative Intergenerational Community workshop three times. Within a limited time I hit the ground running to get as much shared as I possibly could to encourage the local church leaders of laity and clergy to intentionally engage as many generations as possible in all of the ministry opportunities we typically schedule on the local church level.

So, what do we mean by “Intergenerational Community”?

At its heart, it means people of all ages and stages connecting, building relationships, and honoring the wisdom, wonder, and gifts each generation brings. Everyone has something to give and something to receive. 

One practical expression of this at our church are the Family Tables in our worship space. These are tables set up right within the rows of chairs—not off in a corner, but right in the mix—inviting littles and their bigs to experience worship together.

The Family Tables are more than kid-friendly—they’re community-inclusive. Just like a hearing aid or a wheelchair ramp, they help make space for every member of our church family to belong.

“When we give our children (and youth) opportunities to watch and observe us engaging in the worship of God, we train our children in how to worship God themselves.” Beth Meverden, Church(ing) Kids, pg. 27. What’s good for kids is good for everybody.

All of God’s people (all ages and stages) are called by our Creator to ‘praise the Lord in His sanctuary.” Psalm 150:1

Littles and middles find plenty to see, hear, touch, and sometimes taste, all that is involved in the worship of our Great God. They pick up the language of worship, the customs of gathering as Christians, and fully join in to encourage one another, just as the Bible teacher in Hebrews 10:24-25 shares to ‘spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Our Family Tables are cared for by our interns (weekly re-papering); a faithful servant-leader (weekly painted messages); and Ambassadors—4th and 5th-grade leaders—who take pride in cleaning the space each week after services. It’s not a drop-off zone, but a place where children and their adults worship together.

And they’re just one option! Littles, middles, and youth are scattered all over the worship space with their families. One of our youth sits with our beloved older adults during worship while their parents attend the Spanish-speaking service across campus. That’s what intergenerational community looks like!

In the past 15 months, we’ve seen these tables evolve—from small squares tucked in a corner to long tables woven into the heart of the worship space. This summer, we’ll be expanding them to both sides of the sanctuary. It’s been a beautiful journey, and we’re just getting started.

At the tables are buckets of markers as well as quiet building straws all maintained by the Ambassadors (4th & 5th grade leaders) during and after the services. Next to the tables is a box of clipboards which include activity sheets related to the sermon/season with a cloth zipper pouch (quiet) of alphabots and twistable crayons.

Because here’s the truth: Intentional Intergenerational Christian Community means there’s something for everyone, even if not everything is for everyone. That’s counter-cultural, especially in a world where personal preference often trumps shared purpose. But Christian community invites us to something richer.

Where can we start the conversation for intentional intergenerational Christian community? Start with something already on the calendar. Then ask:

• How can we engage and accommodate littles? – In worship? Family Tables; Ash Wednesday? Place ashes on the backs of hands rather than only on foreheads. On Good Friday? Put the tenebrae service outside at sunset rather than darkening an indoor space. Offer space to move freely.
• How can we engage and accommodate bigs? – At the Live Nativity? Provide a flat walking surface by placing it on the parking lot rather than a field. For Youth Mission Trip? Invite Saints to provide and pray over bagged lunches for the trip. Mix up seating at a dinner? Host a Senior Date Night With The Youth to ‘taco-bout’ our faith together.
• How can we coach a middle to take the lead? Invite a youth to take on new mission which has a beginning and an end, and requires recruiting and building a team to be a ‘disciple-maker’ for the team such as Operation Christmas Child, etc.

As Dave Ferguson writes in Hero Maker, “We aren’t doing anything new. It’s just our turn.

I just found out that someone who deeply hurt me during one of the hardest seasons of my ministry has died. What do I do with that?

We weren’t close. In fact, we rarely interacted or moved in the same circles. But she played a significant role in a painful episode that left a lasting scar. Years ago, I was blackballed from joining a local service organization. I found out when a professional woman from that group called me afterward—apologetic and honest—explaining what had happened once I left the room. Until that moment, the organization had never refused membership to an invited guest. But that day, they did.

I never shared what happened outside of my immediate family and the Lord, until now. I was ashamed—embarrassed that my grace and quiet accommodation were exploited. I later came to recognize that what I experienced wasn’t just rejection. It was bullying—systemic, tolerated, repeated, and even groomed within that organization’s culture. This was not an isolated incident for my time of service there. “To thrive, bullies require secrecy, shame, silent witnesses.” (The Bully At Work)

For clarity, Google defines workplace bullying as repeated, unreasonable actions of individuals (or a group) directed towards another, escalating over time, which is intended to intimidate and creates a risk to the health and safety of the target.

After much research about bullies and targets on my road to healing, I prayerfully left that organization. To tolerate bad behavior in a Christian community is not God’s plan. Hardships, yes. Fear of bodily harm and spiritual bullying, no. Not in America. I began to understand that the bullying wasn’t ultimately about me. It was spiritual warfare—an attempt to disrupt ministry, discredit my calling, and shake my faith.

“We were meant to make the road a little easier for each other. Not shove the other down on it.” Beth Moore (twitter 12/10/10)

There were several years when I didn’t attend local festivals and community events for the likelihood of running into several of those who targeted me and still active in that organization. When I did see one at a local department store several years later, I panicked.  I couldn’t catch my breath, my heart began beating out of my chest, and I had to leave the store. I left a full shopping cart in the aisle and sat in my car praying and singing praise music until the Lord calmed me down enough to drive home.

Over the years which followed, God’s healing words jumped off the pages of my Bible like “Leave her alone, Jesus replied,” (John 12:7a) and “If you can extract the precious from the worthless, then you can be my spokesman,” (Jeremiah 15:19) Partner God’s words with the very presence of amazing women of faith (children’s ministry networking group; Women in Apologetics; Emmaus Reunion group; personal Board of Directors) and I know the wonder and joy that comes from Godly repair, redemption, and restoration.

Books and studies which also led me through that season and beyond:
The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things by Beth Moore
Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley
The Bully at Work by Namie & Namie
When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett
Creating a Healthier Church by Ronald W. Richardson
Throw the First Punch: Defeating the Enemy Hell-bent on Your Destruction by Beth Guckenburger (Youtube study link)

Now, having heard of this woman’s passing, I’m flooded with complex emotions. I’ve read beautiful tributes about her generosity, her ministry, and her impact in the community. I wish I had known that woman—the one others remember so fondly—instead of the one who wounded me.

What do I do with that?

Beth Moore writes in When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, “Satan is out to destroy the testimony of the believer in Christ. The more influential the testimony, the better.” The gift I have now on the other side is that I know what spiritual warfare looks like, smells like, acts like, feels like, and sounds like.

When one of God’s own is permitted to speak ugly and plot publicly against another of His children within the family of God, this gal has had plenty of practice of not sitting in silence, nor remaining silent to keep the peace, nor pretending it doesn’t matter. I love my Christian siblings and their testimonies too much to let it slide. I’ll be praying and actively loving them to Jesus until restoration shines on us both. Loving on them in every love language to the point of being annoying. Reaching out a hand often. Starting the awkward conversation every time. Stepping into the ring to defend a target because that’s what family does for one another.

 “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15

Originally written in the fall of 2022. Now published for the first time in summer of 2025.

Our town truly shines in the summer months with family-friendly festivals, concerts, community gatherings, and more. The city promotes these events, budgets for them, and invites everyone to come out and play. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to show up as good neighbors, practicing a simple yet powerful ministry of presence.

One of the highlights is Family to Park Movie Night, happening on five Thursdays throughout the summer. The fun kicks off at 6:30pm, with the movie beginning at dusk.

Just last Sunday, more than half our congregation stayed after worship for a quick and practical training on noticing and starting conversations. Everyone received prayer buttons, and many put their training into action right away!

When Thursday rolled around, we were ready. With a 10×10 tent featuring our church name and logo and a portable gaga ball pit, we set up in under 20 minutes. As families gathered and laid out their blankets for Moana 2, we walked around, chatted, and handed out 400 colorful plastic leis.

I had picked up two camp chairs from Walmart for under $10 each, tagged them “Prayer Chairs,” and set them up under our tent. With blessing oil rollers in hand, I was honored to pray with two beautiful women and anoint their hands.

The evening was filled with Macarena dancing, nonstop gaga ball games, laughter, conversations, and singing along with the town-provided DJ—all shared with about 400 new friends and neighbors.

As the sun began to set and families arrived only for the movie, we packed up and joyfully offered our spot on the grass to them.

I couldn’t have been prouder of our church family. Some arrived early to help set up, some came for an hour, others stayed the whole evening. Some played gaga ball for hours. Some unpacked my car at the beginning, and others loaded it back up at the end. It was truly a team effort.

One of our amazing members also serves on the city’s arts council. As soon as she receives the calendar of events, we begin praying and planning how we can partner like for the movie nights, National Day of Prayer, and the Christmas parade.

What’s happening in your town? How can you partner with your community? Where can you show up and be a good, generous neighbor? I’d love to hear your stories!

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” Romans 15:2

My journey with AI (artificial intelligence) in Children’s Ministry has been gradual and consistent—but it’s made a real difference! I thought I’d share a few ways I’ve been using it lately in case it inspires you to give it a whirl, save some time, or just play around with some fresh ideas.

Fun Website Staff Bios: We fed ChatGPT a list of Q&As from our staff bios and asked it to turn them into something fun, warm, and engaging. Boom! Instant personality upgrade. You can see the results here.

Summer Theme Song: We used the Suno AI music app to create our very own driveway-party-meets-Jesus jam! Think: dance-pop, praise-filled, joy-packed, under 2.3 minutes, with both male and female vocals. It’s perfect for singing and dancing at our summer Driveway Parties!

Children’s Moment Prompts: Sometimes the sermon leans abstract—and our littles? Definitely concrete thinkers. Google’s AI tool helps jumpstart ideas when I search something like “children’s sermon + the scripture.” It’s a great way to spark creativity fast.

Themed Events for Adults: For a men’s dinner, we asked ChatGPT to blend Braves baseball, Jesus, and BBQ into a fun event title—and it delivered! For a women’s luncheon, we gave it our speaker’s blog titles, and it whipped up suggestions for activities, décor, menus, and more. Each team now has a springboard to build from.

Other Ways We’ve Used ChatGPT:

• Created a 10-question spiritual growth survey for youth—super helpful for a new staff member to learn her audience by tracking the answers in a Google Sheet.
• Crafted youth intern interview questions in language that actually sounds like, well, teens.
• Wrote a cute rhyme for an end-of-year gift to thank our amazing Wednesday night leaders—based on our Bible study theme for the school year!
• Staff reviews and evaluations were even uploaded to share this evaluation season.

Several ministry social media content creators I follow have started using AI to generate hilarious, heartwarming, and helpful images and posts for those of us in the family ministry trenches. Some are laugh-out-loud funny; others are spot-on reminders of what we’ve always known.

So, how are you starting to use AI in your ministry? Or maybe this is your nudge to give it a try. You don’t have to dive in all at once—just start where you are and see what it can do. Come on in—the water’s fine!

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 18:15

Every year, our daughter and I take a special Mother’s Day trip—the week before the actual day, a beautiful tradition I look forward to. This year, she surprised me with a destination she knew I’d love: the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.

Now, “library” is a bit of a misnomer. It’s really a museum—part inspiring archive, part holy ground—telling the story of Billy and Ruth Graham, their family, and the faithful friends and co-laborers who joined them in ministry over the decades.

My daughter had stopped there on a road trip to Washington, D.C. with her family and instantly knew: “Mom has to see this.” And wow, did she call it right. She knows my heart.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear: this place doesn’t just talk about the love and generosity of Jesus—they show it. Admission? Free. Parking? Free. Gifts when you arrive and when you leave? Yes, please. And the volunteers? Delightfully joyful—genuinely kind, welcoming, and crystal clear about why they’re there: to share the gospel of Christ in every possible way.

We left Canton around 6am-ish and arrived just in time for lunch. First stop: the onsite restaurant, where the chicken salad croissants were fresh and yummy.

Then came the Corrie TenBoom exhibit—“The Hiding Place” brought to life through photos, artifacts, vintage news clips, and video interviews.

Next, we took the self-guided tour—an immersive walk through tents, recreated radio stations, TVs, and the sounds of the crusades around the world; from tiny beginnings to worldwide revival. Billy’s voice followed us through it all—preaching from pulpits, on airwaves, with presidents and the powerful, and with janitors who stayed behind to clean up.

My emotions got the best of me several times. I found myself stopping more than once just to catch my breath and hold back tears. This wasn’t just his story—it was mine too. I saw my own journey reflected in those old revival tents, in the broadcasts that made it behind the Iron Curtain, and in the songs that became the soundtrack of the faith of many of my elders.

What did I take away from this pilgrimage? A few things:

• One obedient guy, saved by grace, led another to faith… who led another… and another. Obedience is powerful.
• Billy Graham used what he had—whether a Bible, a microphone, a radio tower, or a TV camera—and God multiplied it. He leveraged the resources and media available with one goal: to share the good news of Jesus. Faithfulness meets opportunity.
• He had a deep commitment to teamwork and surrounded himself with like-minded, gifted, faithful, guarded disciples who took on their clear roles. Nearby the gravesites of Billy and his beloved Ruth are the gravesites of both Cliff Barrows and his wife as well as George Beverly Shea, his committed and life-long co-laborers.
• The music from those crusades? That’s the heart music of today’s senior saints in our churches. I came of age on Amy Grant, Wayne Watson, Michael W. Smith, and Sandi Patty. Their songs saw me through diaper changes, school drop-offs, and beach walks with a Walkman while the babies napped.  But the music of the crusades and the local church chorale pieces were the foundation of our senior saints’ youth.

The takeaway? Know the good news. Share the good news. All the time. Anytime. Be clear. Be ready. Be consistent. Keep it simple and true: God loves us. Sin separates us. Jesus saves us. And now? I get to live that out every day—asking, “What can I do today with what I know about Jesus?”

I’m fired up about what this summer will hold—town movie nights, block parties in driveways, a youth retreat, local church vision trainings, denominational workshops, and divine appointments with old and brand-new friends in the Lord.

Lord, let me be found trustworthy and faithful!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Every person in a community faces life changes—empty nesting, caring for aging parents, handling that first paycheck, and more. These moments can be tough, and we believe the local church can be the best place to find guidance, wisdom, and hope—all rooted in a Biblical worldview. After all, Jesus really is the answer for every question.

That’s why we’ve started creating spaces not just for “sages on stages,” but for “guides from the sides.” People who can say, “I’ve walked that path too—let’s do this together.” It’s a beautiful way to build trust and support in every season of life.

Last month, we hosted a one-hour Anxiety Workshop for all ages. A licensed counselor from our church family led the session with compassion and clarity. The room was welcoming, the water was cold, and the message was clear: You are not alone.

With simple promotions, a banner by the road, and clear next steps, we saw grandparents, teens, parents, teachers, and coaches all show up—and 20% participated in a follow-up opportunity. That’s a win!

From one set of grandparents, “I came because my granddaughter has been diagnosed with anxiety and we want to have the best relationship with her and need some help.”

Now our new Women’s Ministry Leadership Team is taking the lead, and next up is “Caring for Your Aging Parents,” taught by someone who’s lived it more than once and is ready to pray, teach, and walk alongside others with grace starting with a free, one-hour workshop.

Workshops on the horizon? Topics like Forgiveness, Empty Nesting, Healthy Boundaries, Self-Defense, Abiding in Community through Discipleship Bands, and more—each one designed to help us grow stronger in faith and community.

And we’re not alone—the Spirit is moving across our county! Another church nearby is offering similar teachings, and after a recent conversation, it’s clear: God is stirring hearts and equipping His people through the local church.

There is not a life struggle, moment, or milestone that Jesus can’t speak into and over. I think it’s about time we set the table for the relationships to start so that we navigate these seasons together as we point to God the Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our comforter and helper.

So… what season are you in that you’d find additional information helpful especially when you don’t even know what question to ask? And what have you been through that might just help someone else?

Let’s walk this road together—pointing to Jesus every step of the way.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

For us, summer means June and July—and those two months are a perfect opportunity to experiment, train, and take the church on the road through meaningful partnerships. Our campus will still be open for office hours and Sunday mornings, but the rest of the week? We’re hitting the streets!

PARTNERSHIP #1: Family Movie Nights in the Park

We’re teaming up with our town’s Family Movie Nights, happening five times this summer. Each evening gives us nearly four hours to play, connect, and pray with our neighbors—right where they are.

It might be hot, but we’re coming prepared:

• Hand-fans, hula hoops, and bubbles
• A portable netted Gaga ball pit
• Mini Jesus figurines and prayer chairs for meaningful conversations
• Smiles, joy, and open hearts

Other churches and local businesses will be there too—so this is truly community in action, living up to the name we carry!

PARTNERSHIP #2: Community Driveway Parties

We’re also partnering with the neighborhoods of our own congregation! Throughout the summer, church members will host one-hour driveway parties for their neighbors—kids, families, seniors—anyone nearby.

Here’s how it works:

• The host connects with their neighbors and provides freeze pops
• Our team brings the fun: music, games, Jesus stories, crafts, and takeaways
• It’s simple, joyful, and deeply relational

We want to show up where people already are—and celebrate the good news of Jesus in ways that feel natural, neighborly, and joy-filled.

We’re Prepped and Ready

We’ve stocked up on:

• A branded tent, table cover, feather flag, and car magnet
• Portable netted Gaga ball pit, prayer chairs, and lawn games
• Sidewalk chalk, Lego bricks (thanks, senior moms!), storytelling tools, and rebus salvation bracelets
• Bluetooth speaker, custom summer t-shirts, and lots of love to give

Everything we bring is designed to spark conversation, stir curiosity, and make space for gospel moments in everyday places.

Why Are We Doing This?

Three big reasons:

1. To be a good, loving neighbor,
2. To train our littles, middles, and bigs to share the gospel clearly—and to practice doing it with confidence, kindness, hospitality, and joy,
3. After training we plan to take our kids on the road to assisted-living homes this fall during their school breaks to host a morning VBS with seniors.

We don’t need to copy what other churches are already doing well. We’re a new church with a great message, deep relationships, and a bold desire to make disciples right where we live.

Ready or not, here we come to share Jesus with neighbors and nations!

“When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.” Luke 21:30