It Worked for Us
The Rev. Diana Phillips and Michael Christopher turned around and stood in awe. The pastor and lay leader of Colonial Hills United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas, stood still for a few minutes and watched as more than a thousand children and adults enjoyed themselves during Fiesta Night. "We just paused and soaked all this in," said Phillips.
Colonial Hills hosted the family-friendly Fiesta Night in late April as part of its city's 10-day Fiesta San Antonio celebration. More than 100 volunteers handle the details to make sure that attendees – especially children – have a good time.
The church has hosted Fiesta Night for the community for 26 years. Christopher became the chair three years ago.
The smell of food, music and laugher filled the air as children rode ponies, petted goats and rabbits, climbed on giant inflatables, played games and took train rides around the church grounds. Vendors sold food and beverages for low cost. Christopher introduced barbeque pulled pork sandwiches to the menu, and people keep coming back for more.
"It's a family friendly environment," said Christopher. "We don't serve any alcohol and families can just have fun."
Christopher and Phillips said that the event is not for fund raising, but for extending Christ's love to the community. "I am so proud of the church's outreach to the community," Phillips said. "Our vision is to radiate God's love and grace." She added that the energy and enthusiasm are very contagious.
Fiesta San Antonio honors the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Christopher and his team are now planning the 27th family-friendly fiesta on April 27, 2017.
AT A GLANCE Colonial Hills United Methodist Church | 5247 Vance Jackson, San Antonio, TX 78230 | 210-349-2401 | [email protected] | www.chumc.org | Lead pastor: Rev. Dian