Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, home to 100 members, is reaching out with a fun event for the community. The 100-year-old building sits on Joseph Lemon and Dingle Road near the corner of Highway 260, and the church recently erected a sign in Manning by Hill Printing across from the school to advertise the church and encourage growth.
About ten years ago, the church obtained an additional building, directly on the corner of Joseph Lemon and Dingle Road and Highway 260, which it used for various church events.
“At one time, we used to have flea markets on Saturday mornings. After we got away from that, we sometimes held fundraisers there. We had softball games and cookouts there,” said Deacon John Billups. “Now it’s fixed up so if there’s a storm and the community is out of power, folks can come by and charge their phones and devices and get a hot cup of coffee.” Billups did stress it is not set up to be a shelter, just a gathering place.
A year ago, the church’s pastor, Reverend Sam Livingston, Sr., had a brainstorm. He knew many people love football and the tailgate parties that go on before and during the games. So why not have an outdoor service and tailgate event at the unnamed building?
“The building is for the community,” said Billups. “It’s been there, but we’ve fixed it up.”
Another idea came to have a contest to name the building. Members turned in suggestions over recent weeks, and a committee has chosen a name from the many submitted. On October 28, during the outdoor church service at the building, the new name will be announced, and the winner will receive a small gift. The tailgating party will follow.
“It would be difficult to pull the cars up like a traditional football tailgate party,” said Billups. “But each group will have tents or tables and chairs, and we’ll travel from tent to tent and socialize. Families and groups can grill or have snacks and drinks.”
Billups added that members of the church will be set up to grill chicken, fish and ribs. They hope to see at least 75 in attendance, as they have 85 active members. Each are encouraged to bring a new guest with them.
Dress for the event will be business casual, and the event will begin with the church service at 10 a.m. outside the event hall.
“There will be plenty of fish, plenty of ribs, plenty of chicken, and we have some great bakers, so I’m sure there will be cakes. We’ll have a great time, and it looks like the forecast for Sunday is clear,” said Billups.
