Although it isn’t officially launching until January 2025, Change City Church in Ohio is spending the summer getting to know its community.
Church planter, Darryl Baker and his launch team, known as the “Dream Team,” are busy sponsoring outreach events. “We recently hosted a Block Party Jamboree whose purpose was community engagement and evangelism,” Baker said.
He was thrilled with the success of the event. “We had bounce houses, carnival games and drawings for prizes that allowed us to receive attendees’ connection information,” Baker said. “Even though the weather called for thunderstorms, we prayed and believed by faith, and God held back the rains.”
Getting ready to launch
More than 70 people attended the Jamboree. “We’ve already had one family join our launch team from the outreach,” Baker noted. Several other attendees have expressed interest in attending future outreaches, youth sports events and Dream Team Launch Parties.
“We prayed with several families and provided food for a family who had an immediate need and didn’t know how they would feed their children that night,” Baker said.
Hillcrest Baptist Church, Carlisle, came to help Change City Church with the event. “Hillcrest Baptist was such a blessing,” Baker said. “They brought their puppet show and treats such as cotton candy and snow cones. We’ve already made plans to visit their church and worship with them on a Sunday this fall.”
In addition to the Jamboree, Change City participated in the Pickerington Kidsfest in July and is planning three more events from August through October. These local events are part of the church’s strategy to engage with its community.
“We seek to build relationships in our community and evangelize in preparation for our launch,” Baker said. “Our mission is to change hearts, homes and our city through the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Stephanie Heading and originally published by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
