Block parties provide opportunities to reach local communities

Free hot dogs, hamburgers and cold soft drinks, along with colorful balloons and outdoor music may not seem like the conventional manner in which to share the gospel.
   
But in several Montgomery communities that was just the ticket during Crossover Montgomery Nov. 12 prior to the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
   
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, said Crossover Montgomery represented the first phase of “Through Every Door” campaign, Alabama Baptists’ statewide strategy for witnessing in 2001.
   
Along with the block parties, Lance said 1,934 homes were visited, with 407 conversations related to the gospel, 100 gospel presentations were made and 69 professions of faith recorded.
   
Efforts in Montgomery will continue well beyond the block parties there. Neal Hughes, Project Hope director with Montgomery Baptist Association, said information provided by guests when they registered for door prizes will be used for follow-ups and establishment of cell churches.
   
Modeling itself after a successful format at the national convention level, the block parties took place at area parks, recreation centers and a shopping mall. The parties included activities such as Christian oriented puppet shows, dramas, musical presentations, face painting and games.
   
College students from across the state volunteered for the effort by visiting homes and helping publicize the block parties. Fliers were distributed and churches were encouraged to publicize it as well. Their efforts paid off. At the Woodmere Park block party, music and the smell of sizzling hamburgers drew out curious onlookers who dropped in to hear the music, grab a burger and watch the Christian-oriented entertainment that was laced with an evangelical message.
   
“I think it’s important just to let the community know we care about them and we’re here for them,” said Tina Vaughn, minister of missions at Morningview Baptist Church, Montgomery.
   
“Our slogan is ‘We’re Family for You’ and we just wanted to show that this weekend,” Vaughn said.
   
“I’ve never seen this much excitement at Highland Gardens Baptist Church,” said Wayne Bryant, a member of the Montgomery-area church.
   
Bryant noted four unchurched families committed to visit Highland Gardens. Highland Gardens joined with Yarborough Street Baptist Church to make the block party happen.
   
Billy Austin, interim pastor at Highland Gardens, said the revival spirit going on at Yarborough Street “got our youth excited. We are praying for revival in our church.
   
“(Crossover Montgomery) has revolutionized our church,” Austin said. “It is something positive to work for instead of something negative to talk about.”
   
The response from the community could not be ignored either. College student Mike Odom, a member of Gateway Baptist Church, Montgomery, said that initially he and his friends felt uncomfortable knocking on doors.
   
“One lady that we invited showed up and she accepted Christ,” Odom said. “We really felt great about it.”
   
Odom wasn’t the only college student helping to assure the visits to homes and block parties were successful. Throughout the weekend, he and more than 150 other college students from across Alabama were involved with everything from preparing and serving food to performing music and puppetry.
   
Bob Moon, student minister with Morningview, sounded like a proud parent as he bragged on the work his students were doing through performing music and skits at the Eastbrook block party.
   
“It’s important for us to share the gospel outside the church walls, that’s what we’re called to do,” Moon said.
   
Although he has a heart for young people, Moon said it is just as important he shares the gospel with all people.
   
“We don’t want to just tell the gospel to teenagers,” he said. “We want to equip all the saints, and sometimes it’s teenagers, sometimes it’s not.”
   
Moon said the event was also a learning experience for his youth. “It allows our teenagers to realize that the church doesn’t exist just for teenage ministry,” he said.
   
John Stewart, 13, of Montgomery, said the best part of Crossover for him was the band and skits. Similarly, Blake Lithiser, 12, also enjoyed the skits. Both boys also said they enjoyed the free food.
   
Minnie Sauls, 75, said she has just come from the mall and stopped by Eastbrook Shopping Center for groceries, when she heard music coming from the adjoining parking lot.
   
Asked what was the best part of the event, Sauls said, “all of it.” (TAB)