Riding through the obstacle course. Photos courtesy of Riverview UMC.

An obstacle course using Razor 360s—child’s version with peddles, cornhole games, ladder or goofy golf, sidewalk chalk, and root beer floats are the tools for making disciples that Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, South Dakota, put into action in their parking lot on a recent Wednesday evening.

After months of masks and social distancing, Riverview UMC invites people in the community to family fun nights to reclaim God’s Kingdom. The intergenerational activities attracted 75 people to the first evening.

“We want to invite people to get back together and have fun. We want them to experience the joy of being together and invite them to reclaim God’s Kingdom,” says Pastor Teresa Person.

Person and the office manager at the church were brainstorming one day about ways to get people together, have some fun and inspire their faith. So they came up with the idea to have a few things set up in the church’s parking lot and invite people just to come, visit, and have some fun fellowship.

All ages enjoyed playing corn hole toss.

“On Sunday, I asked for people to help and volunteer. People were more than willing to volunteer,” said Pastor Teresa.

Riverview UMC is changing its administrative structure. The congregation is moving from a committee structure to ministry teams. One of the first ministry teams forming is the Family Ministry team that will oversee Family Fun Nights.

The root beer floats tasted great!

“We had our first event, and now there is a team of people ready to take off with the ministry. We have a night at the local pool in the works and an outdoor movie night. It truly is great to see how God works,” Person said.

In August, Riverview UMC will hold an evening Vacation Bible School. In addition, Family Fun Nights will take place about every two weeks on Wednesday evenings.

Pastor Teresa said, “We did not do any marketing outside of our congregation. But people in the congregation invited their neighbors and friends, and it just took off. That is what discipleship making looks like—just inviting people to enjoy God’s kingdom.”