Faithbridge block party follow-up strategy pays off

Faithbridge Community Church incorporated visitor follow-up in its block party planning and it is paying off.

August 19, 2021
LaVeta Jones

PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRN) – Follow-up is a key component to any outreach event. It is a gateway to establishing relationships, building trust, sharing Christ or walking alongside fellow believers.

Follow-up is a place where the real work takes place and where the purpose and goals of outreach are realized—meeting spiritual needs beyond event day.

Pastor James Hogan and the Faithbridge Community Church in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, were sure to include visitor follow-up as a part of their recent block party collaboration with a mission team from Cordele, Georgia.

“We gathered names and have a group of folks doing follow up work with them,” said Hogan. “In fact, I just got a call from a husband whose wife received a call from one of our deacons a couple of days ago. He was grateful.”

Within the past few weeks, Faithbridge has seen many faces from the block party at church for the first time, including a troubled teen girl. ”So far it seems the counsel and fellowship she’s receiving are helping her find a healthier perspective on things,” said Hogan.

The perfect weather was incentive for about 350 visitors to come outside and join the fun. Hogan said that the block party couldn’t have taken place on a “nicer day.”

Included in the day’s event was the baptism of four adults where the audience were able to hear the Good News.

The neighborhood fire department stopped by and entertained the kids with tours of their truck.

Hogan is grateful for the financial assistance of a BRN Evangelism grant, which helped to make this day possible.

Along with the block party, the Faithbridge’s summer activities also include completing renovations for their new church building. The first service will take place at 11 a.m on Sunday, September 12, at 618 Russellwood Avenue, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.

There are 14 million people in Pennsylvania and South Jersey who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Faithbridge reached some of them through a neighborhood block party in McKees Rocks. How are you reaching those included in that 14 million who live in your community?

LaVeta Jones

LaVeta Jones is a community outreach event coordinator, freelance media producer and communication consultant. She has coordinated events with the school district of Philadelphia and elected officials. She also works extensively with the faith-based community and the Philadelphia Police Department and has taught community policing workshops and presented for department press conferences. LaVeta, who earned a bachelor of arts in film and media arts at Temple University, graduated Summa Cum Laude and served as class valedictorian, began working for BRN in 2007, where she has assisted in telling the stories of our BRN churches.