South Bay Baptist Church
“2010: A New Beginning” reads the label on the binder in the ministry booth set up in the church hall. The table surrounding the decorated cardboard triptych is strewn with candy. Other, similar booths advertise the church’s music ministry; its preschool and kindergarten; its youth group, Awana; children’s ministry; deaconess’s board; and Bible ministry. Out in the courtyard, they’re setting up the popcorn machine; after the service, there will be nachos and hot dogs. In the yard: an inflatable “jumpy” and some games. A banner out front welcomes new pastor Michael Beach, and today, the church is hosting an open house. To help get the word out, congregants have invited friends. And they have left flyers in mailboxes and hung notices on neighborhood doorknobs. [+more]