THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 7, 1995 TAG: 9509060202
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
LAST SUNDAY, East End Baptist Church invited the community to observe Come As You Are Day. Nearly 700 people turned out for the down-home fun.
Activities began at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed by Sunday school classes for infants through seniors. For worship at 11 a.m., the casual atmosphere continued, the Rev. Mark A. Croston wearing tennis shoes and shorts. An afternoon picnic featured fun, fellowship and plenty of food.
The purpose of the day, Croston said, was twofold: ``First, we wanted to introduce our church to the community. And we also wanted to present to guests and visitors that we have friendly presence.''
Croston said, ``We've grown up in a society where we think everyone's a Christian, or everyone knows what the church is about, or everyone has heard the Christian message.'' However, ``Current statistics say most of the younger generation has never even been inside a church and few know what the church is all about.''
Now, in its fifth year, the casual day has proven highly successful, drawing about 700 people annually.
Prior to Sunday's festivities, East End members staged a community blitz during which members went into the neighborhoods surrounding the church and issued personal invitations. In less than two hours, about 35 members made 965 personal contacts.
While maintaining a normal order of worship, Croston added creative touches to enliven his exposition of I Peter 3:18. A basketball hoop on the platform helped Croston illustrate how sin is ``missing the mark.'' A glitzy package (containing a worthless item) pictured that much of what people strive for in life is worthless. In contrast, Croston pointed out that Christ is God's greatest gift to mankind.
Along with special music and a layman's testimony, the morning service featured an interpretive dance by Kay Jefferson and a trumpet solo by Travis Jefferson.
While some participants munched out at the concession stand, others competed in old-fashioned games like a three-legged race, an egg-in-a-spoon relay, tug of war and a watermelon-eating contest. Clowns and face painting were also on the agenda. Various ministries and committees organized the day's activities and orchestrated the event from set-up to clean-up.
After Sunday's celebration, Croston said, ``We had a great turnout and another very successful day.'' With an average weekly attendance hovering around 550 and the largest increase in new membership from January through June of this year, Croston and his East End congregation are optimistic about the ongoing impact of their church in the community. MEMO: East End Baptist Church is at 523 E. Washington St. Call 539-3324 for
information about its ministries.
ILLUSTRATION: Face painting was part of the fun Sunday at East End Baptist
Church.
by CNB