Hillcrest Baptist Church hosted a community concert in the Rural King parking lot on April 22, featuring gospel music, Easter egg giveaways, and free food for the public. The event was the first of its kind for the church and aimed to raise awareness in the community about Christianity.
Music Director Aaron Stewart helped organize the event. “We just wanted to have the opportunity to meet the community, to greet the community, to let the community know that Hillcrest is a loving church that is willing to meet their spiritual (needs) and to introduce them to a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
The same band that performed at the event also plays regularly at the church. The band played well-known songs that they hoped “people can sing along with.”
There was a shopping spree drawing sponsored by Rural King, and the church gave away Starbucks gift cards.
David Biers helped prepare food for the event. “You see we got plenty of help and that means a lot. We all believe in God, and God is going to make it work for us.” Biers has attended the church for three years and said, “It’s a real loving church.”
Jessica Whalen, who helped come up with ideas for the event, handed out Easter eggs. “Leading people to Jesus is the way to go,” said Whalen. Stewart added that other church members “rally” around events and arrived at Rural King before he did to begin setup.
Hillcrest Baptist Church is located at 18075 A L Philpott Highway, Ridgeway. Church services are available online via Facebook and YouTube.
