Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
A Pauls Valley church is joining a national movement to bring former church-goers, along with those who have never attended, back to regular Sunday services.
Pastor Brad Nicar of First Assembly of God, 320 North Chickasaw, decided it was time to include the local church in the Back to Church Sunday event next weekend as way of helping people rediscover church services.
“The emphasis is on people who were once a part of a church and for some reason or another are no longer going to church. We want to encourage people to come back to church; to give it another try,” Nicar said.
“A major reason we’re doing this is people of the church can invite people they know to attend with them,” he said.
“I also want to take this a step further. Even if you’ve never gone to church we would love for you to come and check it out.”
For First Assembly of God the special time is at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.
National Back to Church Sunday is a special day set aside each year on the second Sunday of September when thousands of Bible-believing Christian churches open their doors to anyone who would like to rediscover church.
The event is meant to invite people to return to church or for some give it try for the first time as a way of reconnecting to God and to a church community.
“This will be more than anything else an emphasis on church members inviting others to come join us for the service,” Nicar said.
“We want to show them we’re a family of believers who want to reach out to the community.”
Nicar said he decided to get the local church involved after he received an e-mail promoting the campaign.
“I came across it and it just hit me as something we needed to do,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity to invite you to come back to church, try it out and see what we have to offer. It’s also an opportunity for people who have never gone to church as well.”
According to LifeWay Research, 38 percent of people are receptive or highly receptive to attending church, and 82 percent say they would be open to attending church if a friend invited them. Those same statistics show only 21 percent of active church going Christians invited someone to church last year.
“Thousands of churches across the nation, from all types of denominations, are going to be a part of this,” Nicar said.
“The average church taking part in this has reported a 10 percent growth in church attendance. Some have even reported at 15 to 25 percent growth.”
Those wanting to know more should contact Pastor Nicar at bradnicar@gmail.com or 405-207-1527.
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