LONOKE — When churches and other organizations were forced to shut their doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some church leaders pursued creative ways to maintain their congregations, including shifting to virtual or online worship services.
Mandy Yates of Little Rock decided to take that process one step further by blending multiple denominations and hosting outdoor services called Unity in the Community Rallies, with the next rally set to take place at 2 p.m. July 18 at Lonoke City Park.
Other rallies were held in Cabot, Benton, North Little Rock and Pine Bluff.
“We started doing them last year when the churches shut down and couldn’t hold services inside,” Yates said. “We wanted people to come out and enjoy a church service outside.
“We have done them everywhere, including skate parks, community parks — anywhere we could do them outside.”
She said the events feature various speakers and testimonies, and the rally in Lonoke will offer free food. She also plans to provide a bounce house, some yard games and possibly a water slide.
“Over the past few events, we have had at least 100 people come out for the rallies,” she said. “This time, we are partnering with Pastor Byron Calhoun Sr. [of St. John Baptist Church of Lonoke], and he usually has about 200 people when he holds events.
“He has been helping me pull it all together, as well.”
“We just want to do church in a different way,” Calhoun said. “It is basically a way to push Jesus outside the four walls of the church.”
Lonoke natives Cristal Brazzell and Carl Rowland will lead the worship and give a short sermon at the event, respectively.
“The main focus is to express the love of God and possibly a way for people outside the church who haven’t heard the expression ‘being born again,’ Rowland said. “I will read some Scripture, but ideally, I want to give people hope that not only God is real, but really interested in everyone.”
Rowland is a member of Agape Church in Little Rock.
“Most of the people who attend these rallies are from different beliefs, backgrounds and teachings,” he said, “but I think we are at a place where things are shifting.
“I believe Unity in the Community has really given us an opportunity to see the variety of people who are truly in love with the Lord.”
Brazzell and Yates go to church together at Bethel Little Rock. Yates approached Brazzell with the dates for the community events, but because of prior commitments, she wasn’t able to attend a lot of them. Brazzell said that when she saw the date for the rally in Lonoke, she knew she had to be a part of it.
“I have lived in Lonoke for 20 years, raised my kids here and have done other outdoor worship gatherings,” she said. “Lonoke has a special place in my heart.”
Brazzell said the purpose of the event is for local churches to gather and spread the Gospel.
“We want to link arms across denominations, brothers and sisters in Christ, to serve the community,” she said. “There will be free food for people to come and enjoy, and it is something we do to reach out and show the love of Christ.
“We want to foster unity in the city of Lonoke.”
Brazzell said she has gotten a lot of positive feedback regarding the event.
“Everyone I have talked to is excited about it,” she said. “Mandy and the others have had a lot of success with the other events. … Mandy has been working to get it all together. I do know there will be a collaboration of churches hosting the event.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.