For the 15th year, Southern Baptist volunteers from the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association and several states will participate in ministry centered around the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
The Rose Parade, which will draw an estimated 600,000 people, runs from 8–11 a.m. Pacific Time and is aired live on ABC, NBC, Hallmark Channel and Univision.
The parade is seen in more than 200 countries and international territories.
With First Southern Baptist Church, Pasadena, a multicultural congregation, as their main base, Baptist volunteers will distribute more than 30,000 free full-color brochures — titled “Order of Marching Bands, Equestrian Teams and Floats for the 122nd Rose Parade” — along the parade route. Each brochure also includes a gospel presentation and local church contact information.
Additionally, on Dec. 31 from noon until the start of the parade at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, volunteers will share the gospel through mime presentations, Bible tract distribution, one-on-one conversations and servant evangelism.
Intentional Community Evangelism volunteers from several states will be on hand to help train members from local churches how to witness among the vast crowds in three-hour shifts.
Traditionally parade-watchers come out 24 hours in advance to get coveted front-row seats to see the flower-covered floats, bands and equestrian teams during the five-mile parade down Pasadena’s Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards.
From 6 a.m.–9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, volunteers will staff another outreach: a refreshment station at First, Pasadena, welcoming and offering parade float and horse-trailer drivers free coffee, juices, water and pastries, and making the church’s restrooms available.
Free Bibles and literature also will be available at the refreshment station. Last year 43 people reportedly came to know the Lord as a result of the parade ministry. (BP)
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