Union Hill Church holds Fourth of July outreach

For more than 2,500 people, the celebration of Independence Day continued July 6 with Union Hill Baptist Church’s Freedom Block Party 2008 at Oak Grove Memorial Park in Oak Grove.

“Union Hill has a heart for this community,” said Mickey Bell, pastor of the Bessemer church in Mud Creek Baptist Association, noting the free event was envisioned as an outreach.

The block party featured food, children’s rides, fireworks and music by New Ground and Michael English, along with a quartet from Oak Grove High School’s Future Farmers of America. Bell gave an invitation after sharing that while America recently celebrated its freedom, true freedom comes through Jesus Christ. He said the invitation resulted in 12 decisions. Some 250 volunteers helped with the rides and directing visitors, among other things. Others distributed bags with hot dogs, chips and sweets and drinks.