Last night our groups experienced our first open-air meeting.  This is something that Wyoming Ave Baptist hosts often, in different places through out the community.  Last night it was held at the park about a block and a half down from the church.

We "borrowed" some electricity from the rec center and set up shop.  Pastor Luis heads it up and so we had a mini stage with a sound system.  The youth from our South Dakota groups handed out raffle tickets for fun prizes Pastor Lou had on stage with him.  We also had a grand prize that was given away at the end of the meeting.

The area filled pretty quickly, mostly with younger kids but some teenagers and adults.  We were blessed to have Kids Safe Harbor, a local children's choir, sing for us.  Check out the video below of them.  They are legitimate.

After some prizes were given away and the kids sang, Pastor Luis took some time to preach the gospel.  He used a really great analogy of a hammer and a nail and how the nail can do nothing without the hammer.  This of course was a segway to how we are nothing and can do nothing without Christ.  He went on to explain the importance of having a relationship with Christ and then opened up an invitation to the crowd to come up for prayer and to talk with someone if they were interested in having a relationship with Jesus. 

A surprising number of kids came up and I was really excited to see that a man we had prayed for at the prayer table last week, walked up to be prayed for with his granddaughter. 

I have to same that my heart is really overwhelmed with love for this community.  I'm impressed with Wyoming Ave Baptist and how they are continually loving and giving back to their community.  There are so many amazing people here, so many who's hearts are so ready to hear about Lord.  I'm so thankful that Pastor Luis and the church are so dedicated to sharing Christ and his love.

Continue praying for the North Philly community as we continue loving them and loving Christ.