More than Bricks and Mortar

By Carol Pipes

In the shadows of Indianapolis's city center lies Eastside Community Baptist Church. This small church has a big heart and it shows. 

Cheryl Lewis, wife of pastor Terry Lewis, loves to tell the story of how God placed them in the heart of Indy. They started the church in their living room three years ago. A year later they found an old brick church on Indy's Eastside. "The building was in bad shape," said Cheryl. "The basement had been flooded years before and had begun to mold. The upstairs sanctuary needed a lot of work as well." Thanks to volunteers with Campers On Mission, the Lewis's were able to move into the refurbished building. Surprised that God was moving them so close to downtown, they soon realized it was exactly where He wanted them. Terry and Cheryl have continued what they started with the church by buying and refurbishing homes in the neighborhood. The homes are then provided as transitional housing for families living on the streets. "It's hard for homeless families—consisting of mom, dad and kids—to find shelter. We're helping to provide that."

Today, the church is more than just bricks and mortar. They've become a beacon to the community surrounding them. And today that light was magnified. Eastside church hosted a block party for friends and neighbors in the community—one of 26 block parties held in conjunction with Crossover '08. 

"A block party is a great way to serve the community," said Jimmy Kinnaird, coordinator for Crossover. "It attracts people of all ages and allows the church to show the community that they care." 

Volunteers from Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia and Kansas were on hand to help Eastside with this large event. A group from Hull's Grove Baptist Church in North Carolina brought anvils and hundreds of horseshoes to hand out at the block party. Every person that passed by received a personalized horseshoe with John 3:16 imprinted on the shoe as well as a printed plan of salvation. Marcus Redding, pastor of Hull's Grove Church sat and shared the gospel as he stamped the name into the iron shoe. "We have a captive audience while they wait on their horseshoe," said Marcus. "It's a great way to start a conversation about Jesus."

They started their horseshoe stamping ministry two and half years ago. Since then, they've stamped more than 12,000 shoes. 

But horseshoes weren't the only means of gospel sharing. Artists painted pictures portraying the separation between God and man and Christ's redemptive work on the cross. Others mingled through the crowd talking about the life change that occurs when Christ enters one's heart.

Of course, next week the real work begins, according to Jimmy Kinnaird. The most important part of an event like this is the follow up. But the Lewises and their church family are ready to disciple those who made decisions to follow Christ today and continue to build relationships with those who are still seeking.