Gibbie McMillan believes the same excitement, encountered at a 4 Wheels 4 Him trail ride at Tillou Baptist Church in Northeast Louisiana, can be duplicated in Southeast Louisiana.
KENTWOOD – Gibbie McMillan believes the same excitement, encountered at a 4 Wheels 4 Him trail ride at Tillou Baptist Church in Northeast Louisiana, can be duplicated in Southeast Louisiana.
New Zion Baptist Church in Kentwood will host the four-wheeler ride on Saturday, June 13. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 9 a.m.
“We believe we have hit upon a way to provide a family with some good, family fun in a Christian setting,” said McMillan, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Men’s Ministry and Volunteer strategist. “Just like at Tillou, we will present the Gospel and a short plan of salvation.
“We plan on having our block party trailer, inflatables, praise music, door prizes, and a meal for the participants,” McMillan said.
The trail ride, which is being sponsored by Two Rivers Baptist Association, the LBC’s Men’s Ministry and Evangelism Departments, will cover 6-7 miles of rugged piney woods located deep in St. Helena Parish.
The property sits adjacent to New Zion Baptist Church and riders will gather at the church before breaking up – depending upon the number of people who sign up – into groups of 25 to 40 riders.
The layout will be similar to the one used at Tillou.
“If we get 200 to 250 the first year,” McMillan said, “I feel it will be successful. The first year at Tillou 253 attended.
“The idea has really caught on and has been met favorably by all the churches in the area,” McMillan said. “The response has been tremendous. It does my heart good to see this kind of cooperation and participation amongst the churches,” McMillan said.
The eight Baptist churches in Kentwood are providing the bulk of the volunteers for the event but McMillan said the event is even drawing some support from Mississippi.
The ride, which will take an estimated two hours to complete, will start and finish at the New Zion Baptist Church.
Before the ride starts, the participants will be gathered together, where the Gospel will be presented along with a brief plan of salvation.
Riders will then be instructed about the course and safety features before departing on the ride.
Upon their return, around noon, they will be treated to hamburgers, hot dogs and jambalaya. Door prizes, which have been donated by Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, WalMart, and other local businesses will be given following lunch.
The cost is $6 per person and lunch is included. There is also a limited number of t-shirts, so make sure to register early to insure getting one.
For more information, contact Richard Sandberg at 985.514.1171 or McMillan at the LBC, 318.449.4276.
“It is a wonderful, messy day in which a family can get out and enjoy themselves,” McMillan said. “The fellowship, the fun, the good music and the Word of God make for a great deal. So come out and enjoy God’s creation and beauty.”