This summer, 63 children streamed into Otis Orchards Adventist Church each day for Vacation Bible School. For a congregation that had dwindled to an average of eight regular attendees only a few years earlier, the packed church represented more than a successful VBS; it reflected deliberate effort to build relationships with community families, one event at a time.
Several years ago, a group of families from a larger Adventist church in the area considered starting a church plant. However, seeing the needs and opportunities at Otis Orchards Church, they instead joined the small congregation and began working alongside existing members to revitalize the church. According to Jon Jenette, Otis Orchards Church pastor, the church’s average weekly attendance soon grew from eight to approximately 70 in less than a year.
Outreach to young families has been an important part of that growth. Rather than viewing community events as isolated programs, the church intentionally uses each event to introduce families to upcoming events, building relationships along the way.
This summer’s sequence of outreach events began with Family Fun Fest in July. Families enjoyed inflatables, a water slide, petting zoo, games and inexpensive food — all designed to provide an easy way for church members to mingle with their neighbors. The event also introduced families to the church’s upcoming Vacation Bible School and its Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs.
VBS followed with 68 children attending during the week, averaging 63 children each day. Of those, about 60% were from outside the Adventist Church.
“I’ve never seen attendance remain above 60 for a full week in all my years of directing VBS,” said Leonie Goertzen, Otis Orchards Church VBS director.
The summer concluded with the church’s first community corn roast, providing yet another opportunity to reconnect. Some guests had first become acquainted with the church through its food bank, while others had attended previous Family Fun Fests and VBS programs.
“Those repeated contacts are intentional,” said Jenette. “The sequence of summer events is designed to connect with community families repeatedly, growing the church’s interest list, developing friendships and eventually introducing children to Adventurers and Pathfinders.”
The results don’t necessarily come quickly. Michele Borders, Otis Orchards Church community service director, has watched several community families return to Family Fun Fest and VBS year after year. At this year’s corn roast, she spent additional time visiting one such family that was now considering becoming involved with Adventurers.
One mother at the corn roast explained that she felt comfortable bringing her children because of an Adventist friend who regularly invited her to church activities while she was growing up. Now that she has children of her own, she appreciates having Christian activities where she feels her children are in a safe environment.
Jenette describes the church’s approach simply as “Christ’s method alone” — finding ways to mingle with people in the community, learning their names and interests, and inviting them back. Interest surveys at community events help the church stay in touch and let families indicate which activities interest them.
The approach creates more than attendance. Following the VBS closing program, about 50 people stayed for dinner, and some remained long afterward simply talking and getting acquainted.
“Programs may bring people through the doors,” said Borders, “but friendships grow through conversations, shared meals and repeated contact.”
At Otis Orchards Church, successful outreach isn’t measured only by how many people come; it’s measured by how long they stay — and whether they come back.
Otis Orchards Church hosts family-friendly events throughout the year to connect with their community.
Children participate in VBS at Otis Orchards Church, with many coming from non-Adventist homes.
Family Fun Fest at Otis Orchards Church includes fun for all ages, with water slides, outdoor carnival games and more.
Credit: Michele Borders
