Open Air Worship Service

In 2007, Open Air Ministries began in earnest. The vision was to see that the homeless who were part of the YMCA’s Community Outreach Program had an opportunity to worship on Sunday. Since that first Easter Sunday service at the parking lot on the corner of 17th St. and Florida Street in downtown Baton Rouge, Open Air Ministries has provided a thriving open air church that has touched and changed many lives. Sunday School/Bible Study is at 11:00 am and the Worship Service is at noon and is open to all. There may not be a more spirited and passionate wor-ship service in town.

The member churches rotate their involvement on a weekly basis.  FPC is the host church for Sunday School/Bible Study and the Worship Service on the first Sunday of the month.  Broadmoor Methodist is the host on the second Sunday, UBC hosts the third Sunday, and St. Andrew’s serves on the fourth Sunday.  Where there is a month with a “fifth Sunday” the churches will collaborate on a special service, called the “Jubilee Service.”

Needs

Open Air needs more churches to join the effort.  If you are a member at one of the member churches, contact your churchfor volunteer opportunities.  It is fair to say that every person has talents that can be put to godly use.  You can participate at the service in any number of ways, including:

  • leading Sunday School/Bible Study;
  • leading or providing music;
  • offering a prayer or testimony;
  • reading scripture;
  • acting as a greeter,
  • providing food and drinks;
  • serving lunch
  • praying with individuals or small groups before, during, and after the service; and
  • maybe most importantly, worshipping side by side with the homeless as part of this unified congregation of Christians.