New block party trailer to open doors for evangelism in Collin County

FRISCO—From colorful bounce houses and entertaining games to savory-smelling food and captivating music, block parties have a way of drawing a crowd and are a popular outreach tool. But they can also be expensive and burdening to plan.

Last weekend, Collin Baptist Association (CBA) received a brand new Block Party Trailer, complete with all of the essentials a church needs to host a block party for no cost, aside from commodities and food.

The trailer, gifted to CBA by the Texas Baptists Evangelism Team and assembled by the Timothy Institute in Oklahoma, was delivered to Preston Ridge Baptist Church in Frisco on Saturday for a training session. Area churches were invited to learn about hosting a successful neighborhood block party with the contents of the trailer.

"Every church can make use of block parties," said Director of Evangelism Scott Willingham, who has been coordinating efforts to give new block party trailers to associations across the state. "They're for all cultures and churches of all sizes. They help to reach people in a fun way and takes the Good News to where the people are."

The training hosted by Tim Knopps, founder of the Timothy Institute, showcased the trailer's supplies including, but not limited to, the following:

• One large and one small bounce house
• Sound system
• Large charcoal grill
• Portable generator
• Popcorn machine
• Snow cone machine
• Tables and folding chairs
• Canopies

Throughout the training, the audience learned not only how to assemble the contents, but also how to strategically place them to attract more attention.

While the trailer is a great tool for drawing in a crowd, Knopps expounded that its overall purpose is even greater.

"The Timothy Institute is not in the trailer business, we are in the 'tell people about Jesus' business," he explained. "The trailer is just one of our tools … [we like to ask], 'What can we do so that it opens opportunities to share about Jesus?'"

Like many associations, the CBA has been lending out a block party trailer for years but is continuously being updated. During warm months, the trailer is in use every weekend, totaling to around 43 times per year.

Vince Smith, executive director and director of missions for CBA, expressed his gratitude for the gift of the new trailer so they can better help churches reach out to Collin County.

"I tell churches everywhere I go that there are over 700,000 boys, girls, men and women, in our county who do not know Jesus Christ," he said. "The Lord Jesus Christ has impressed on us with treasures in jars of clay to go and be that salt and light."

Knopps said the average cost to rent the contents in the trailer totals about $1,200 for a one-time use, but thanks to cooperative Texas Baptists dollars, associational churches can loan them through the CBA and other participating associations at no cost.

Associations work alongside churches to reach Texas through missions, evangelism and ministry efforts. Contact your association to see how they can help with your church's outreach endeavors. A listing of association contacts can be found here.