Sonshine Week (July 1-7) at GP
This summer has been disappointing so far, with lots of rain. However, a local church may have the perfect solution with its annual event, Sonshine Week.
The organisers are hoping and praying for plenty of bright sunshine for this year's event at Green Pastures Church, which will take place from 1 to 7 July. It's not just about the sun, as the team of committed staff are also confident that the 'Son' will shine through as they promote the love of God through Jesus Christ. Stacey Wright, Green Pastures Church’s media person, stated, "We have put even more work into this year's schedule, and people are excited about the events for all ages. Regardless of the weather, we aim to make everyone feel welcome, as Sonshine Week has become a well-loved community event."
Sonshine Week features a variety of events, including kids' clubs, coffee mornings, youth nights, men's nights, women's nights, carnival fun nights, a youth water fight, a mission night, sunshine pop-ups, community projects, acts of kindness, and other fun activities.
Added Stacey Wright: "Sonshine Week always brings a fresh and fun atmosphere to the community. Not only does the orange t-shirt bring a literal flash of colour and sunshine to the streets, but it's what the people in those t-shirts are doing that brings real and lasting hope and joy to those they encounter. From every child they meet that comes to Kids Club to every senior they meet in the care home, from the man too ill in bed to fix his garden to the working professional man who needs encouragement at the Men's Night from the busy Mum who needs a breather, a coffee, a chat at coffee morning, to the woman who needs a night with the girls to be lifted at Living Alive; from the youth who's always left out gets invited to a summer water fight, to the youth who thinks they'll never darken a church door, experience a place where they find the realness they've been looking for."
The outreach encourages 'acts of kindness' to spread light in the lives of others, taking inspiration from Christ's sermon on the mount. The organisers emphasised the importance of taking the gospel out to the community and serving the people and the surrounding neighbourhood.
The week will conclude with a big celebration featuring live worship and a message from Green Pastures' lead pastor, Jeff Wright, during what has become a favourite week of the summer for many at Green Pastures.
Stacey concluded, "Every single person, young to old, we pray will be impacted by who Jesus is and by the Sonshine Week volunteers. That's the aim of the whole week, to make the Son of God, Jesus Christ, shine and introduce people to the joy that changes all of our lives forever."
For more information about Sonshine Week, visit the Green Pastures website, call 028 2542 2541, or visit Faith Avenue, the Gateway, Ballymena.
