Church holds family bash

The Church of God in Portales held its second block party Saturday, which focused on family fun.

The event included a softball game, water activities, basketball, volleyball and the children’s favorite, two blow-up bouncing houses.

“This is part of our youth outreach program,” Church of God Pastor Donald Hay said. “We want to reach out to the community and give families and their kids something fun to do on a Saturday.”

Hay said he expected about 150 people to attend the party, located at the church property on Amazon Street across from the Portales High School campus.

Michael Gilchrest, pastor of the Church of God in Clovis, said the block party is a friendly atmosphere where children can play and adults can come and just have fun.

“Our main focus is the ministry, telling the community that there is good, clean fun,” he said.

Gilchrest’s 7-year old son, Johnathan, said he has fun at the block party playing in the bouncing houses with friends and hanging out with his parents.

Hay said the church plans to have a third this July in Lindsey Park, which will have the same activities and hopefully live music.