By Sharon Mager

Based on Report by Marty Jellison

FROSTBURG, Md. — Leaders at Mountain City Church (MCC) are enthusiastically engaging their community and seeing members grow in their desire to reach out to their neighbors. They recently had 100 at a Trunk or Treat, and they’re hosting a monthly Thursday clothing closet where families can choose free clothes for their children and enjoy a meal.

One of the catalysts for new energy and increasing attendance is the success of their church’s “Family Summer Nights” event.

Partnering with the Frostburg Housing Authority and with funds from a Strengthening Churches Grant from the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, MCC hosted “Family Summer Nights” in a local community. Associate Pastor Marty Jellison said, “For three nights, we had activities geared towards the whole family. This was not a VBS or something to just drop off kids. No, we wanted to begin a relationship with the family. It was amazing!

“We had the police chief come and share what they do in the community. We then used that ‘role’ as our teaching illustration to share the gospel with those who attended. Lastly, we shared a meal with the families.”

Some of the visitors to Mountain City Church’s Fall event were from the Family Summer Nights ministry. (Photo courtesy of MCC)

But the church didn’t stop there. As a follow-up to the event, the church invited the families to join them in completing service projects around the community. Members from MCC and some families who attended Family Summer Nights helped clean, organize, and downsize storage units for elderly residents. They also cleaned and stained two pavilions. Jellison said, “The youth also had a blast getting wet scrubbing and power washing the large playground equipment in the community.”

Jellison said that not only was the church impacting the community, but the outreach impacted the church. “Some church families that have not stepped out in this way before came out and were a blessing to those in our community. We frequently say at our church, ‘We are a family of messy people with messy lives, helping one another become more like Jesus.’ When you bring your little ones along with you to serve others, it may be messy – but it’s a beautiful image of Christ’s Church serving together.”

The church made many contacts, and some Christians from other churches helped. Others visited, and a mother and her two children began attending MCC.

Now, as the church continues its outreach, Jellison said they often see families around town who they met at summer the event.  They’re building relationships! This month, the MCC care team will send postcards inviting all of the guests to their Children’s Christmas pageant.

Jellison said, “It’s just a blessing to see our people grow as they engage and reach out to the community.”

Kids enjoyed a bubble fountain at the Family Summer Nights event at MCC. (Photo courtesy of MCC)

Sharon Mager serves as a communications specialist and BaptistLIFE editor