CMBA is taking reservations for the recently renovated Block Party Trailer and, for a limited time, at no cost to contributing Member and Church Network Connection churches. In keeping with Our One Priority “to start and strengthen congregations to serve as vital and vibrant missional communities,” CMBA offers this resource to help churches engage the neighboring community through mission outreach events. According to One Priority Mobilizer Cathy Locklear, the trailer is a functional tool to share the gospel through interactive fun and games.
“People may be willing to come to a fun event before coming inside a church they know nothing about to meet people they don’t know. This ministry tool can build a bridge from your church to the community. It could also be used to promote activities, registration for various children’s ministries or to celebrate special occasions or milestone events within the church. People will know you care when they see the effort your congregation is putting forth to provide a special event and offering it at no cost to them,” says Locklear.
The Block Party Trailer contains almost everything a church would need to stage an outdoor evangelistic experience to attract a crowd. There are games for all ages including corn hole and Kan Jam, and a generator to power food appliances that come with the trailer including a hot air popcorn maker and a shaved ice machine. Users provide their own food and serving products.
Many CMBA churches have used the Block Party Trailer in recent years, so Locklear capitalized on the 2020 quarantine period to begin a refurbishment process. The inside has been upgraded, many games and appliances have been replaced and a colorful new vinyl wrap was applied to the outside of the trailer. One new addition is a dry erase side panel with three questions to engage in gospel conversations.
“One of the features of the new outside design is that an entire side is devoted to evangelism. The North American Mission Board’s Three Circles diagram is displayed with a dry erase area to foster conversations. When reserving the trailer, we will give you more information on making the most of this opportunity,” explains Locklear.
Churches interested in booking the Block Party Trailer should contact Locklear at CathyLocklear@ColumbiaMetro.org for availability. All users are asked to agree to certain requirements, including how to clean, pack and return the trailer after each event. The Block Party Trailer is available at no charge to CMBA Member and Church Network Connection churches through the end of August, after which time a nominal trailer rental fee will resume.