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 Open Arms has been hosting this popular event since
2009 and costs are offset in part by local business partnerships.
Larry Crawford, pastor of Open Arms, said they typically have over
3,000 people attend from various communities and the church puts on
the event because they love the community and want to strengthen it.
Last year, a 5K run/walk was added and medals were given to the top
runners.
The top two runners overall this year were Abby Coers and Lincoln
Mayor Seth Goodman (not available for awards).
Other top winners were Zoe Biner, Alexis Younger, Kyle Fry and
Brendan Heitzig in the age 11-19 category, Gabby Wainwright and
Logan Hayes in the age 20-29 category, Abby Coers and Jackson
Johnson in the age 30-39 category, Pamela Talkington and Keith
Younger in the age 40-49 category, Cassie Smith in the age 50-59
category, and Brad Nickles, Terry Carlton and Barbara Nickles in the
age 60 and up category.
Providing fun for kids of all ages were obstacle courses, bounce
houses, slides, water tag, safe archery, basketball, tee-ball,
boxing, or carnival style games. Other exciting activities included
a photo booth, face painting and balloons.
Entertainment on the main stage had various musical genres ranging
from rap to country to pop to Christian music and included Emily
Hope Music, Daughters of the King, Mario Canon, Big John and the
Band, Elvis impersonator Perry Groves, and Ricky Lee Hilton.
The smiling faces of many children and adults showed how much they
were enjoying the day.
Shannon Gonzalez said, “I like the entertainment and my kids Rafael,
Damian and Ella are having a blast.”
For those who were hungry from all that fun, there were hamburgers,
hotdogs, pulled pork, popcorn, snow kones, cotton candy and funnel
cake fries.
Deb Neaville said the funnel cake fries were very tasty.
Many volunteers were there to serve and assist as needed.
Volunteer Jamaica Madigan said she loves serving the Lord and
reaching out the community.
Tanya Poulos said the family fun day is a great
chance to get outside the walls of the church and share God’s love
with the community.
After several uplifting Christian songs from Ricky
Lee Hilton, Pastor Crawford told why the church hosts this day each
year. He said we do this to bring the community together and
strengthen the community.
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His message was from Luke 7 where a man named Simon
was hosting a big party and invited Jesus and others to his home.
Simon did not treat Jesus like the guest of honor though he had seen
all Jesus did.
A lady who found out Jesus was there somehow slipped in even though
she was not invited. The lady was weeping at Jesus’ feet, then wiped
the tears from his feet with her hair and then kissed and poured a
very expensive bottle perfume on his feet.
Crawford said this lady had a horrible history but had heard about a
man who would help her and forgive her sins. Crawford said Jesus
often hung out with people you would not see in church.
Simon thought to himself that if Jesus were a prophet, he would know
what kind of woman she was.
Jesus answered Simon’s thought by telling him a story about two
people who owed money to someone. Crawford said one owed what would
be about $500,000 today and the other owed around $50, but the man
forgave both debts. The one who had the bigger debt forgiven was
more grateful.
Crawford said the woman who wiped Jesus feet had shown him great
love and he forgave her sins.
We all have a past, and Crawford said his life was once full of
shame. He said, just as he has at times, many may not feel hope.
Crawford said he has not always been on the VIP list and does not
care if you are rich or poor or where you live. He just wants to
strengthen this community.
Crawford told everyone you matter to God and you matter to us. He
said we all matter so much to God that he sent his son to die for
all of us.
The message ended with an altar call that over 20 people responded
to and he led them in a prayer asking Jesus to forgive their sins
and be the Lord of their life.
Church member Stan Parker then shared a testimony about being
deathly ill on a ventilator and his organs beginning to shut down,
but then experiencing complete healing after just a few days. Parker
said just over a year later, he is doing very well and working 60
hours a week and is thankful for God healing him.
Crawford asked for those who needed healing to raise their hands and
prayed they would experience God’s healing power whether it be
physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, relational or any kind of
healing they needed.
The day ended with a drawing for door prizes that included
footballs, basketballs, bats, free movie tickets, a free oil change
from Neal Tire and Auto Service and gift certificates from several
area businesses. The final prize announced was the grand prize of
five $100 bills and the winner was Ashley Gail.
As volunteer Maritta Robinson (standing) said Family Fun Day is a
great day for fun, family and fellowship and everything is free.
[Angela Reiners] |
