First Christian Church Rockwall finds way to serve despite roadblocks

ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX (October 23, 2014) Nearly 30 people from First Christian Church Rockwall made it to Coventry Reserve in St. Paul (north of Wylie) Sunday morning, Oct. 12 as the US Open Triathlon made its way through Rockwall and Heath, inspiring church members to find a different way to serve.

Coventry Reserve is a program for special needs adults formed in 2002 by parents. Earlier this year, Coventry completed a new addition to allow for more room for their programs. The program includes a pottery creation center and a center for brain activities. First Christian Church Rockwall and Coventry first connected back in 2008 after church member Donna Irons toured the facility and asked if the Coventry Sign language group might come and present a program for a worship service. There has been a special relationship between the church and Coventry ever since. The Coventry sign-language group has come to the church for four out of the last six years.

The church is attempting to find ways to reach out to the community in significant ways, including leaving the church campus to serve elsewhere. The triathlon challenge seemed a perfect opportunity to do just that. The church group cleaned, cleared, planted, sprayed, constructed a fire pit, and installed fixtures. The employees at Coventry Reserve were so impressed with all the church group did, they were ready to sign them up to come every triathlon Sunday. The event was organized by the First Christian Church outreach ministry, led by Donna Irons and Dean Matthys.