The Church of the Canyons front yard was transformed into a fun zone with jump houses, games, and food for its recent Fall Festival celebration open to the community.
After hosting a Trunk-or-Treat for several years, the Sand Canyon-based church decided to reimagine the event, creating a new and improved fall-themed celebration that welcomed hundreds of guests from across the community.
Kris Ullman, senior pastor of the church, said they wanted to create something that could serve as “a light in the community.”
The Evangelic churches’ mission is to “glorify God, proclaim scripture, and make disciples,” Ullman added, and during the celebration, not only did children get to engage in fun but also learn about God through a scavenger hunt.
“This Fall Festival is meant to be for the community. It’s very much trying to be a light into the dark world,” he added.
But to bring the magic of the Fall Festival to life, a group of volunteers woke up early to begin putting out tents and decorations, and preparing everything needed to make the event a fun one.
Among them were Fred and Mary Largent, longtime church members who said volunteering was their way of sharing their faith.
“It’s our way of sharing the gospel with the children,” Mary said as to what makes the event so special. “I love seeing my church family. It gives me something to do besides working in the yard,” she said as she chuckled.
“I just enjoy serving people and seeing the gospel expanded,” Fred added.
For Ullman, seeing families laugh, play games and create memories together captured the true spirit of the church’s mission.
“It’s what we’re supposed to do,” he said. “As Christians, we’re supposed to serve one another and love one another.”
The church also hoped the event would inspire newcomers to join their congregation. Ullman noted that about two-thirds of the Fall Festival attendees were community members visiting for the first time.
The Church of the Canyons is scheduled to host its Christmas Eve Service on Dec, 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and all are welcome. The church is located at 28050 Sand Canyon Road.
