Pictured above: The event included free lunch, free school supplies and the opportunity to touch and ride a variety of trucks and vehicles. 

When your church decides to plan its next Back-to-School Bash or any similar event, think about these tips from Redemption Church in Bell, whose recent outdoor event drew some 1,300 people despite the summer heat.

“It was such a great event. We thought it was just awesome to see the whole community come together and help so many people,” said the Rev. Eugene Strickland, who has been pastor of Redemption Church for nine years. The church averages about 120 in worship each Sunday. 

While this was not their first back to school event, it was the first time the church combined it with another community event, Strickland said, which is actually one of the tips.  As you think about your church’s next outreach or community event, consider these tips. 

Combine Your Event  

For this year’s Back to School Bash, Strickland asked another local event organizer to consider combining their events. That’s how the Back to School Bash & Touch A Truck event became a reality. It included a free lunch, free backpacks and school supplies, free children’s clothing and the opportunity to touch and ride a variety of trucks and vehicles including fire trucks, police cars, a race car, a monster truck, an ambulance, semi-truck, wrecking truck, and more. “People were having a lot of fun,” he said. 

Invite Other Churches to Join You 

By inviting other churches to be involved, Strickland said you’re making it more of a kingdom event rather than just a single church event. He said there were people there talking to attendees, praying with them, passing out gospel tracts and Bibles.

“Our motivation was to tell people about Jesus, not just our church,” he said. “Other churches came to assist and were part of it. I told my church if we share Jesus and someone gets saved and they go to another church, it’s still successful.” 

Consider Holding Event Offsite 

This event was held at the Gilchrist County Agricultural Complex which is already equipped to host large events, which gave them plenty of room to accommodate the large group of people. Use of the facility was not donated, but it was not expensive to rent. 

“People who are not willing to come to a church event will come to a community event,” Strickland said. “That gives you opportunity to share the love of Christ.” 

Also, by being at a public site, attendees were more open to gospel conversations there than they would be at the church site, Strickland said.  

“We were able to talk to a lot of people that usually have their walls up and are defensive about talking,” he said. “But because they knew we were there to help and love on people, they were open to conversations.”

Solicit Support from Your Community 

As church members began to call local businesses earlier this year to enlist their support, they found success with a variety of business owners wanting to be involved.  

“We just reached out to a lot of community businesses, and they wanted to help too,” Strickland said.  

Get Your Church Members Involved

For this type of large-scale event, you have to get your membership involved.  Strickland and other members of his church smoked about 36 Boston butt roasts for the pulled pork barbecue sandwiches that were served. His members also collected and donated children’s clothing for this event. 

“I have to thank my church for their part in this. Without them we could not have done it,” he said. “Without their servant’s hearts and their generosity, we could not do this type of event.” 

Start Planning Early 

Redemption Church begins planning its major events in January, this year opting to do four major events. Three for the community – back to school, Halloween and a Christmas event; and one internal where they hold a banquet to thank all of their volunteers. 

Strickland said he was expecting this event to attract 400 to 500 people, but there were that many just waiting in line for the gates to open. He said the event’s success was due to a combination of things. 

“We know times are hard, which is why we wanted to do a back-to-school event. Every little bit helps nowadays,” he said. “But we live in a rural area and this was also an event that people could take their kids to and it was free. This combination was very successful. We will certainly be up for doing this again.”  

On Redemption Church’s Facebook page, Strickland thanked the community, sponsors, law enforcement officials, church members and all who helped to make the event a success.

“Most of all, thank You, Lord, for giving us the opportunity to share Your love with our community,” he wrote. “We pray that every family who came felt welcomed, encouraged, and reminded that they are loved. To God be all the glory!”