By Sherwood Patterson
Each year Quest Church helps the city of Alpine, a rural mountain community in San Diego, host the Alpine Snow Festival and Parade of Lights. Unfortunately, due to permit restrictions, the community event was shut down. In response, Quest Church used its land and facilities to host a Country Christmas Festival for the community of Alpine. Inspired by San Diego Southern Baptist Association's new regional vision and partially funded by the SoCal Baptist Ministries outreach grant, Quest Church partnered with East County Transitional Living Center and Pathways Community Church to host the gospel-centered outreach.
The Country Christmas Festival had 22,000 pounds of real snow, a living nativity with real sheep, donkeys, and a camel, tractor sleigh rides, a 25 foot lighted Christmas tree, petting zoo, pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, carnival rides, and food trucks. The living nativity scene was the center piece to the outreach which had 8 foot tall scripture boards describing the biblical events of Jesus' birth, along with a dramatized reading of Luke Chapter 2 that was broadcast on speakers. One volunteer reported striking up a gospel conversation with a participant who ask about the meaning of the Bible verses on the scripture boards. After sharing Jesus, the father prayed to receive Christ! Thank you San Diego Southern Baptist Association for your partnership in helping us reach people for Jesus in our community!
Mostly Cloudy, 65°