On Sunday, August 23, five area FEC churches came together in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a different type of corporate worship—the kind that requires work gloves, hammers, and hedge trimmers. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., over 1,200 people joined forces throughout the city to complete 49 different work projects—everything from spreading mulch at six different city parks or painting 248 fire hydrants to building handicap-accessible ramps and stocking Mission Church’s food pantry with more food than they’ve ever seen at one time.
Not only did Engage Sunday create opportunities to serve multiple people in a myriad of ways; it also garnered all kinds of attention, opening the door for sharing Christ. “Throughout the day,” says Steve Shaffer, executive pastor at Pine Hills Church and lead coordinator for the event, “people would walk up and ask us what we were doing. I’m not sure they expected us to reply, ‘We’re painting fire hydrants for the city in the name of Jesus.’” Others were simply thankful. “We could never have done this on our own,” were the words of one grateful homeowner who had been unable to attend to house and yard all season after a serious illness.
Following three solid hours of work, the day wrapped up with fun and fellowship at Parkview Field, including a buffet luncheon, batting cages and bounce houses, and corporate worship. Area pastors celebrated the work done and offered a challenge for the future. “We were reminded that service doesn’t end here,” says Steve. “We can be engaged with our community every day, meeting needs around us and sharing the hope that is within us.” Overall, Engage Sunday was a huge success. “Last year, we did this project on our own and only completed nine work projects,” says Steve. “Coming together helped us accomplish so much more, putting the ‘serve’ in our Sunday service.”
