Crossroads Fellowship reaches out
As Valentine’s Day approaches each year, many churches plan some sort of “Sweetheart Banquet” where members gather together to enjoy a meal, play some games and go home. Crossroads Fellowship decided to use the special occasion as an outreach to the city of McMinnville instead of an in-reach to themselves.
“The church plant, a mission of First Baptist Church, Smartt, did not have the facilities to host such an event and very little in the way of assets to bring it off, but proceeded anyway,” said Mike Gay, pastor of Crossroads Fellowship.
Each of the church’s core group families was asked to furnish the names of two couples with whom they are acquainted that are unchurched. These people forming the guest list were sent formal invitations from none other than the core member they already knew.
“The Inn at Harvest Farms Lake provided the setting to make the event special and to avoid the stigma of being ‘a church thing’ that unchurched people might shun,” Pastor Gay said.
Over 12 couples made reservations. While not a big number for most churches, it was a hurdle for the church plant of about 50.
Ben and Hannah Stacy performed instrumental and vocal entertainment during the meal which was followed by games and prizes. Crossroads Fellowship members who did not have guests attending provided valet parking and acted as servers and hosts. Those having invited guests dined with them to insure a comfortable atmosphere.
“All and all, the event was a smash hit with the attendees. It’s hoped the fact that so many Christian people went to such lengths to show the guests they care will touch them somehow. Perhaps through that they will be led to seek the same relationship with Jesus that they saw in the eyes of their hosts. Blessings were received by all,” Gay concluded.
Information about Crossroads Fellowship can be obtained by contacting Pastor Gay at 931-507-2527.