Block Party Successful

We're planting seeds through our Day Camp last month, a few block parties in our community and a parade entry in our city's largest annual parade. While we still have great hopes and expectations for attendance growth, spiritual decisions and baptisms over the summer, we are more focused on creating awareness and building relationships throughout the summer. We pray that, as people settle back into their fall routines, they will include us in their planning.

A successful block party means we gave a high number of people a fun experience with games, face painting, moonwalk, etc, and we were able to give them information about our church and the message of Christ's love. We also hope to walk away with a handful of new friendships, people who stopped long enough to begin spiritual conversations. Our favorite way to have a block party is at a high family traffic business like a movie theater during a highly publicized event, like the opening of a family friendly movie. Last night, we were at Carmike Cinema when a few good family shows were starting to play, during the same time that a popular radio station was hosting a live broadcast at our location. This gave us a few seconds of free air advertisements when they announced our part of the festivities.

We don't always see immediate results. But, over time, St Joe has built a reputation with local businesses, two great radio stations, and many in the community, just by hosting about 4 or 5 block parties a year. Our local association of churches owns a trailer with all the equipment, so we just schedule the events and gather the volunteers.

Does anyone know how we can get a firetruck for cheap???? We have dreams of fitting one up for these events. A great kid magnet! Just thought I'd ask....