Faith Baptist Church of Westwood Welcomes Summer with Live Music, Food, and Fun!
Sonya Newman
Ashland Beacon
Summer’s sunny warm days are here! We just can’t wait to get out and enjoy all things outdoors. From weekend camping, to swimming and splashing around, to barbecuing and live music filling the summer air, this is the time of year we all look forward to enjoying. Thoughts turn to vacation planning, and schedules recently occupied by school events have now turned to finding fun family experiences to evoke laughter and joy. Even the sun stays out later to play. It’s no wonder summer is so many people’s favorite season.
While you’re planning all the fun family things you’ll be enjoying this season, you will want to leave space on your calendar this Saturday, June 10th for The Summer Kick-Off event at Faith Baptist Church of Westwood. This is the second year for the event, although the last one was in 2019 and has been disrupted due to concerns related to Covid 19. The event will offer free hot dogs and drinks and will feature live music featuring Kanawha Tradition, Brittany Hall, Wiley Dew, Sonya Newman, and event host, Rob McNurlin.
McNurlin, a long-time member of Faith, lifelong Westwood resident, and well-known and respected entertainer on the local music scene serves as creator and host of this event. "With the kids out of school, the summer kick-off is a great way for friends and family to get together for some fun with music and food, all to point people to Jesus," McNurlin shared.
“We’re blessed to have Rob McNurlin as a member, who is a world class musician and an even better man,” Faith Pastor Gary Newman shared, “I was so thankful when he said he’d love to bring this event back to Faith.” The small church and its congregation have a heart for the Westwood community and reaching beyond the walls of the building while making connections with others. “Small churches have so much stacked against them, and it’s imperative that we have a heart for the people in the community,” Newman remarked, “We do.”
The live music line-up is a collection of folks who love performing and love Jesus. One group, Wiley Dew has participated in services and events at Faith. “Wiley Dew is so thrilled to have been asked by our good buddy, Rob McNurlin to do the Summer Kick Off at Faith Baptist Church,” said Karen Byington, half of the duo who went on to offer, “It’s going to be a fun-filled time for kids and adults. I hope the folks turn out for this awesome community event.”
The Faith Summer Kick Off will be at Faith Baptist Church at 2209 Hoods Creek Pike on Saturday June 10th from Noon to 4p.m. and will be a part of Faith’s Youth Weekend. All you need to bring with you is a friend and a smile.
Why would a small church reach out in such an inviting way? Pastor Newman sheds light on this, “Personally, I’d love to just share with everyone in Westwood and the surrounding areas just how much God loves them. That conversation just might be started with a hot dog, some popcorn, and the sound of live music.”