FBC welcomes seniors to lock-in
Russellville First Baptist Church has taken a spin on the typical youth lock-ins that take place and has created a Senior Adult Lock-In. It will be held July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church in downtown Russellville.
Bert and Carole Fowler are the organizers of this lock-in, which they have been hosting for several years now. Bert used to be a youth minister but is now a music and senior adult minister. He said the idea for the lock-in came when he was jokingly saying how working with the senior adults is just like working with the youth – except they don’t have a lock-in.
“They want to be social, and they want to be active,” Bert said.
The Fowlers tailored the lock-in to better suit the needs of the senior adult community by hosting it during the day time and providing an early brunch and lunch.
The day is broken up into four sessions that last about 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute break in between the sessions. Each session has three different activity options for senior adults to choose from when they register.
“The only complaint we ever really get is people saying they wish they could have attended every class offered,” Bert said.
This year attendees will have a wide variety of classes to choose from, including cake and cookie decorating, health and wellness tips, a K9 officer and floral arranging. But according to Carole and Bert, the most interesting option will be a presentation by Darrell Jennins at 12:30 p.m. Jennins will do a “light painting” of the life of Christ, in which he will use fluorescent paint and UV lights to create an ever-changing image.
“Most of our presenters are local, but for the big presentations, we try to reach out and do something different,” Carole said.
The Fowlers said the biggest challenge is finding different things to do every year to keep it interesting.
“Our goal is to leave them wanting more. We want them to come back the next year,” Bert said.
Awards and door prizes will also be given out at the event. “They love having take-aways and creating things they can actually use and take home,” Carole said. Some of presenters even bring items for the senior adults to take home and enjoy.
The lock-in is open to all senior adults in the area, not just FBC members. Cost is $10, and registration must be turned in by July 16.
