A Great First Showing at the Magnolia Blossom Festival

This year marked a first for Village Baptist — our very own grilling team competing in the Magnolia Blossom Festival’s World Championship Steak Cook‑off. And what a day it was.

Under the leadership of Bro. Russell Thomas, our team — Clay Carter, Terry Smith, Daniel Green, and Will Trosclair — stepped onto the square representing our church with skill, teamwork, and a whole lot of smoke and seasoning. For a first‑time entry, placing 15th out of about 55 teams was an incredible accomplishment. We’re proud of them, grateful for their hard work, and already looking forward to next year.

While the grills were hot, several of us spent the afternoon walking the festival grounds, meeting people, and handing out information about our church, our upcoming VBS, and most importantly, the hope of the gospel. It was a joy to have conversations, offer invitations, and simply be present in our community in a meaningful way.

Days like this remind me how much I love our church family. We show up. We serve. We laugh. We work together. And we look for opportunities — big and small — to point people to Jesus.

Thank you to everyone who cooked, helped, encouraged, or prayed. Village Baptist was well represented, and I’m grateful for the way God continues to open doors for us to love our neighbors.

Here’s to many more opportunities to serve our community — and maybe even a top‑ten finish next year.

-Pastor Aaron