Click here to view pictures from the event

I’ve had a range of emotions since the Easter Party in Paradise ended but I mainly feel grateful. Grateful to be part of a community of High Impact Men who continually chose initiative over passivity. Grateful to assist God’s victory through our Easter Party. Our efforts in hosting the event were like passing God the ball and witnessing His 3-point glory shot seconds before the buzzer. #Swish

Paradise is Fort Mill’s predominantly black neighborhood that has a rising poverty level. Our Easter Party will gather people of diverse racial and economic backgrounds to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Hours before the Easter Party, the evil one tried to discourage the event in more ways than I can explain. He looked into the future and saw the blessings that God planned for our time with community, so he threw hurdles at us. In the middle of the evil’s plot, God kept whispering “I’ve ordained this event to unite my people. I will provide the needed provisions and protection, so keep going.”

We answered His calling. I arrived at Steele Street Park at 2 PM for set up and saw shovel flags flying, dozens of HIMs hustling to get things done. More HIMs arrived with purpose saying “Let’s get to work.” HIMs set up the egg hunting areas, hung banners, put party music in rotation and set up areas for the food and face painting. Some of the children from the community helped to set up for the party. Their involvement in setting up the event positively impacted everyone. Within no time, the park was set up and completely decorated with an Easter theme.

People from the community started to arrive at 3 PM. Within minutes, the parking lot was more than full with hundreds of children and their families in attendance. It was great to see people from all walks of life gather together and have amazing fellowship. People from diverse economic and religious backgrounds came to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Black, white, Asian and Hispanic families were in attendance. We were laser-focused on Paradise so our signs were posted in that community only. However, we were blessed with families who attended from the greater Fort Mill area, Rock Hill, Lancaster and Indian Land. That shows God’s reach because our 10 posters and 50 signs in Paradise, alone, could not attract attendees from such a large area.

An hour after the 3K eggs, 30 pizzas, 100 baskets, 10 bunnies and mountains of cupcakes and face paint were gone, the community stayed for continued fellowship which made the Pax feel right at home. It was powerful to see such a diverse group of people together smiling, laughing and showing each other love in one event as one community.

Several families expressed their appreciation for you all hosting the event. One mom said “those F3 men are good people who are authentic.” The children asked “when is F3 coming back?” A twenty something year-old said, “I want to be with the men of F3, they can show me how to rise above poverty.” As I gathered myself, emotionally, I told them that we’ll return soon to be in community with them and to support their escape from poverty.

We had great fellowship with several black men in the community. More than a handful of the local men expressed an interest in joining F3. We are having discussions with Bolt about the soft-launch of our workouts in Paradise. Several HIMs like WhatDid and TPS are following up with their EHs from the event. A young man named Reed will post at The Armory with YHC tomorrow. Having Chicken Hawk on Q for that workout puts the perfect bow on that blessing.

There are countless HIMs to thank for the success of our Easter Party In Paradise. They provided pre-filled eggs, showed up early for event setup, stayed later for clean up, staged eggs, painted children’s faces, played music, EH’d possible FNGs, hung flyers, gathered and gave out food and made reservations for the bunnies.

Several HIMs were overjoyed after the event and did not want end our fellowship with the community (including YHC). Seeing HIMs loving on all of God’s people groups made it obvious that our work in the community is not done. It became clear that this event was not a service project, it was a catalyst to something bigger. We are brainstorming other ideas to further our engagement, fellowship and impact with the community. Please send me your ideas on ways we can impact the people of our greater community. Stay tuned for pre-blasts regarding future opportunities to stay involved in these life-changing efforts.

Peace,

Deacon