Friday, June 28, 2024
AZLE — Azle’s Central Park amphitheater and surrounding areas were home to dancing, games and free Kona Ice for visitors of a Revive United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School Saturday, June 15. About 30 youth group and adult volunteers organized by youth pastor Kelsi Bernsen and married co-pastors Jenn and Todd Pick gathered in the park with children from the church for a day of fun in the sun.
The leaders of Revive, which often operates out of Cross Timbers Elementary and Azle Christian Church, took the event public with the goal of spreading the love of Jesus Christ to the community. In an interview with the Tri-County Reporter, Rev. Jenn Pick said that, for many people, a church building can be intimidating.
“We think that church can happen anywhere,” Jenn Pick said. “This is God’s creation. God made the sun that’s shining down on us and all of this beautiful space that Azle has for us. So being able to be out in the park and be visible and to be a church outside the walls of a building is really an opportunity for us to make sure that everyone feels comfortable because a lot of people don’t feel comfortable coming into a church building and we understand that.”
Between water gun fights, free tacos, a Kona Ice truck, and no shortage of games, the event drew the attention of some children and parents who had been playing at the nearby Splash Pad and elsewhere in the park. Near the end of the event, youth leaders led kids in lessons at “Camp Firelight” about Jacob from Genesis and Philip and the Ethiopian from the book of Acts. The central lesson from the event came from Psalm 56 and centered on putting one’s trust in God when afraid.
“We love people, and all are welcome at Revive,” Jenn Pick said. “We’re an open and inclusive church and we want to make sure that everyone knows who we are and who God is in their lives. This is low pressure. Anyone can come over and see what we’re about. Really what we want to do is love on the community because we love Azle.”
Revive representatives will return to the park for the upcoming July 4 Follow the Flag event where they will man a temporary tattoo and glow jewelry table. The congregation also plans to hold a back-to-school bash Sunday Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. with an obstacle course and lunch at Cross Timbers Elementary.
