Every year, Hope Evangelical Community Church hosts a Family Fun Day to get the community together, while building relationships, trust and faith, according to Pastor Derek Atkinson. And this year was no different, with dozens gathering at the church on Saturday, Aug. 24. 

Atkinson, who has been serving as a pastor at Hope for the last 15 years, said the event started in 2013.

Ryan Bedetta, a member of the church, volunteer and Atkinson’s soon to be son-in-law, said the day brings families together and shows “the power of Christ,” adding how it's an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

Atkinson said, “We try to make it a safe haven where families can come and get to know each other, build a bigger community of friends and just enjoy themselves — at no cost.”

He added, “All it costs is to bring a smile.”

Getting bigger every year, the event was jam-packed with fun for the whole family, including tug-of-war, volleyball, water dunk buckets, inflatable bounce houses, a touch-a-truck experience, food and more.

Running around together in the grass, Michael Galarza, 11, John Stevens, 8, and Jake Stevens, 11, all said they were having a good time at the Family Fun Day.

“It’s really fun,” Jake said. “I really like bouncy houses.”

The boys said in addition to the event, they also attend the church. 

“The teachers are really good and we learn a lot about the Bible,” Jake said.

Next, Michael said the boys were looking forward to competing with each other in a game of soccer.

Jaxon Travers, 5, also found the event to be “fun,” having just finished a game of tug-of-war, which was “good,” he said. “I won!”

Jaxon also spent some time at the dunk buckets, which involved someone throwing a hacky-sack at a target which would then dump a bucket of water on the person sitting under it.

Though it was a nice way to cool off on the hot day, it was cold, Jaxon said.

But he didn’t have time to worry about that, coming off his victory, his next mission was to check out the fire truck at the event.

Atkinson highlighted how in addition to meeting people and building relationships, the event is also about faith. 

“It gives us an opportunity to tell the people about Jesus — that there is hope beyond what is before us,” he said.

He discussed the times he spent sitting down with people and talking to them, helping them get through the situations they were struggling with. He said when they couldn’t come to church, he went to them. 

And now, he and his wife serve as what they’ve come to call “spiritual parents” for dozens. Even though some have moved away, “I’m still their pastor,” Atkinson said, adding how he’s still in touch with many of them. 

Atkinson said he’d like people to learn more about the church and see faith — not as a threat, but a “sign of hope.”

He added, “This is what Jesus wants us to do — to reach the community, reach those who are hurting.”

“Everyone here has a testimony and it’s beautiful to see, for me as a pastor, many broken lives, now having smiles on their faces,” he said.