Alexander City church successful with first block party

Mount Zion Baptist Church, Alexander City, in Tallapoosa Baptist Association invited all of its community onto the church’s campus for a free block party May 19.

Pastor Ed Frantz described the event as “Intentional Evangelism on the part of our church” and deemed it a great success. “We had four saved during the party, and we identified 20 unchurched families,” he said.

Frantz said more than 275 people attended the party, which was a churchwide effort. The entire church was involved in praying for the event, and about 35 members volunteered at the party.

Mount Zion Baptist deacon James Wilson served on the planning committee and solicited donations for the party. He said community businesses and individuals helped keep the cost of the event to a minimum with their donations of food, decorations, advertising and entertainment.

Wilson added that the party was designed with something for every age group. The entertainment included seven musical acts, moonwalks, a 20-foot slide and clowns. Russell Medical Center in Alexander City offered free health screenings. Free hot dogs and drinks were provided.

But he said the secret to the party’s success was its purpose — “we did it to tell people about Jesus.” The gospel was shared in a variety of ways including tract and Bible distribution and one-on-one witnessing.

Youth volunteers also put on two puppet shows that told the story of Adam and Eve and man’s first sin for audiences of 20-plus children.

Frantz’s wife, Karen, also created a tract that was given out following the show. She used the tract to walk through the plan of salvation with the children and their parents in the audience.

Four children turned in their tracts, noting that they had made salvation decisions. One of those children has since begun attending church at Mount Zion with her family.

The party was an excellent outreach event for the church, according to Karen Frantz.

“I really feel God was in it,” she said. “Everything seemed to fall into place, and everybody seemed to work well together.”

Ed Frantz said he was thrilled by the party’s attendance, adding that it won’t be Mount Zion’s last. “We hope to have a block party once a year from here on out.”