Member Spotlight – Awaken Church
Awaken Church is located at 223 S. Main and their Sunday service begins at 10:10 a.m. in the Ballroom of the McPherson Opera House. The Lead Pastor at Awaken Church is Zach Parent. Zach and his wife Alishia moved to McPherson about three years ago. Alishia heads up the Awaken Kids program at the church. Awaken Church is the 9th church in Kansas that is of the Free Will Baptist Church denomination. The church’s mission is straight-forward, Make and Send Disciples. “If we are to make all aware of Jesus, we must make and send disciples into our homes and communities throughout McPherson, Kansas, United States, and Outermost parts of this world! Approximately 40% of the population in McPherson, Kansas does not believe that Jesus Christ even exists. Awaken Church exists to Make All Aware of Jesus.”
Although Awaken Church Sunday services just started full time in September, Awaken Church hit the ground running in their commitment and desire to serve the folks in McPherson. Some of the community activities they’ve already participated in include handing out over 700 free drinks at 2019’s Madathon and hosted a baseball camp last summer with the McPherson Pipeliners baseball team. The church gave out snow cones at First Responders Night, Movies at the Park, and July 4th celebration which between the three events involved over 300 pounds of ice for the snow cones. They sponsored a Movie in the Park event hosting a Carnival in the Park with Superheroes before the movie. As well as hosting an Eggo and Lego event for the kids, during the 2020 Easter season Awaken Church organized a Drive-By Easter Egg Drop-Off for the community. Pastor Zack Parent mentioned they are ready for Covid to be under control so they can continue to host more events for the community.
Awaken Church has three programs that they are focused on. They have partnered with Mt. Hope Sanctuary, a non-profit Christian ministry providing transitional housing, life-changing programs, and support services to single women and their children. The church is involved with the Food Bank and have started a program called “Shop for Shoes” directed toward kids who need shoes and to also recognize kids who have gone above and beyond.
To learn more about Awaken Church, check out their website at awakenfwb.church. Also check out these photos on Facebook from the Chamber Connection and Ribbon Cutting hosted by Awaken Church.