'Overtime' kicks off June 14

HAYDEN - True North Church announces the kick-off of its "Overtime" summer ministry focus.

The church will move its normal Sunday service to Thursday nights, beginning June 14 and continuing through Sept. 6. True North will offer a no-cost meal at 6 p.m., with worship/celebration service starting at 6:30 p.m.

As part of the "Overtime" ministry church members are encouraged to find places in the community where people gather on summer weekends and join those activities.

"Overtime" comes from the practice of the church to have a "Halftime" during its worship services - a time to greet each other, share stories of the week and welcome newcomers. The church members will be intentionally meeting community people where they live, work and play during the summer.

Rather than attempting to convince their friends and neighbors to forego their normal weekend activities during the summer, church members will join them and purposefully serve and minister in those places; being available to help plan and conduct sports events, take care of children, lend a listening ear or simply be a friend.

"We are trying to follow the model of the early Christian church," said Pastor Chuck Wilkes. "For almost 300 years it rarely utilized buildings as churches. Rather, the early church met in homes, in public places and anywhere people gathered. Into those places they carried the presence of Jesus Christ that was part of their hearts and lives. In doing so, they completely changed the face of the Roman Empire of their day. We are just trying to do the same."

The church is distributing summer activity guides to members and appointing event "captains" to help members find and join summer gatherings.

True North Church is a Church of the Nazarene, founded in 2000.

It is at 10583 N. Government Way, Hayden.

Info: www.truenorthchurch.org