Block Party Tips and Resources
Prayer is the first and foundational place to start!
Permission is harder to get than forgiveness--Don't forget to check with city government or homeowners' association for regulations about block parties.
The CBA Ministry Trailer is available to contributing Collin Bapptist churches and ministries
Puppets--The Connexion, Pam Norris at Murphy Road Baptist Church
Petting Zoo--www.FunontheFarm.net in Lucas
Bike Parade (15 minutes of decorated bikes, skateboards, etc. near Block Party venue
Fire Department will send fire truck and give out badges
Drama--Preston Trail Community Church is a good resource, also John Foster at FBC Farmersville
"Special Resources" page on Fellowship of Stonebridge website
LifeWay Store gives $200 credit for a Baptist group wanting to start a Backyard Bible Club or any new organization doing outreach (prizes for children, CDs, etc.)
Vacation Bible School Training--Available from the Collin Baptist Association at different locations in the spring
Sponsor Resources--Ask manager or store manager for donations--Suggestions:
Home Depot--Water coolers, etc.
Chuckee Cheese--May donate gift certificateof a family pass or 30 minutes of Mouse
Chick-Fil-A--May donate 30 minutes of the Cow and git certificates
Coke, Dr Pepper, Pepsi--May donate 2 liter bottles (need 2 months advance notice)
Tia's Restaurant--Chips and salsa
Grocery stores--Ask them to donate a product, $25 gift certificates for hotdogs, etc.
(Don't give up; show persistence and appreciation--buy a little and get a little (example: get hotdog donation and buy the buns)
Kinko's--Has donated banners with sponsor notice in lower corner
Plan for follow-up with 10-15 families
Folks that love to help new churches get started with Block Parties: Patrick Johnson--214.683.5064 (experience with Backyard Bible Clubs)
Charles Brueck--TeamChurch has tents, popcorn, sno cone, cotton candy , bouncing castle, and trailer to rent to churches for block parties (214.550.2185)
State Convention (BGCT, SBTC) Resources--Block Party articles
Convention Resources: www.namb.net , search "Block Party" to get a wide variety of resources. A published booklet in the Special Evangelistic Events series is titled "The Evangelistic Block Party" and is a good resource. Call Customer Service Center at 800.233.1123 for publication #0840087144/5M/11-98