Hundreds show up for fellowship, fun during New Spirit block party
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on July 26, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Rikayla Johnson, 7, left, and Mayonna Best, 6, play around in a bounce house at the New Spirit Church Ministries Block Party on Saturday.
Full SizeJaylin Hinton is scared of ponies.
So sitting on top of Beau the horse, the 12-year-old was a little anxious.
"I thought I'd try it out," he said.
Moses Parker walked the duo around in a slow circle as part of the free entertainment at the New Spirit Church Ministries block party.
Moses told Jaylin about the horse, and Beau's love for TV.
"You have to give the kids a story, so they're not scared," Moses said.
After he dismounted, Jaylin raced to the back of the line of waiting cowboys.
"I'm going to do that again. It was pretty fun," he said. "I won't be scared this time."
Moses and his wife, Karen, operate Wilson County Mounted Search and Rescue. The two travel around the state finding missing persons. In their spare time, they offer rides at school and church events.
"I love seeing the faces of the kids," Karen said.
She helped 2-year-old Yareli Mobasher-Wagdi onto Beau. Yareli smiled and clapped her hands during her ride.
Then Rikayla Johnson, 7, took a turn.
It was her first time on horseback. She was worried about falling off, but Moses promised he wouldn't let that happen.
Beau dutifully made a large loop and Karen helped Rikayla down.
"That was so much fun," she said, as she, too, got back in line for a second turn.
In addition to the horse rides, the block party offered music, food, bouncy houses, games and Zumba classes.
Children played touch football and corn hole on the lawn.
The pastor's wife, Deirdre Alexander, said the day was meant to give back to the community.
It marked the second anniversary of pastor Marvin Alexander joining the ministry.
"Instead of a fancy banquet, because that's just giving back to the pastor, he wanted to give back to the community instead," she said. "We're in a lower income area, the kids need something positive."
Last year, they fed 335 people at the party. This year they were prepared for a crowd of 500.
"It's a diverse crowd," she said. "We're a nondenominational church."
The event ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Civic groups and rescue services had informational booths and the Bojangles mascot, "Chicken," danced around.
"Anything you could want will be here today," Deirdre said.
Several motorcycle clubs also turned out for the event.
"It's going to be a little loud," Deirdre warned.
As the 20 riders pulled in, the roar of the bikes was deafening.
Tracey Davis and Angela Kittrell-Vaughn were among those who rode in. The women are both church members.
"We try to support community events like this," Tracey said.
Her mother, Jackie Davis, helped orchestrate the event.
"We just really want to give back," Jackie said. "The pastor won't tell you, but this is his anniversary, and he just wanted to do something for the community."