While churches often rely on shared resources for ministry, one Southern Baptist association in southwest Missouri found a way to turn a donated travel trailer into a block party trailer — designed to help churches reach their communities.
In March 2021, the Mid Lakes Baptist Association in southwest Missouri began developing a block party trailer to support its 18 churches across Polk, Cedar, Hickory and Greene counties. The project started after a couple from the association donated a travel trailer. The trailer was sold, and the funds were used to build a trailer with a ministry purpose.
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The block party trailer developed by the association was designed with years of hands-on experience. Associational Missions Strategist (AMS) John Rhodes had previously built four similar trailers.
“It’s a drawing card. It’s just a tool. It’s just a resource. But one of the things associations do is we’re just a resource for the churches,” Rhodes stated. “So the trailer was, to me, a natural thought because it’s something churches could use to do outreach with.”
Equipped to serve
The block party trailer is stocked with a wide range of items intended to support church events for both children and youth. The trailer was intentionally equipped to serve as a complete event setup with equipment that is easy to transport, set up and repack.
Among other things, the trailer includes: giant inflatable joust; bounce house; inflatable 20-foot gaga ball pit; nine square in the air game; portable sound system; popcorn machine; snow cone machine; various game equipment; drawing raffle wheel; flag banners and a block party banner; five-foot plastic tables; and various children’s toss and carnival-style games.
The design prioritizes durability and organization, making it possible for churches to host events with minimal logistical hurdles.
