Yates Baptist welcomes community for events, including carnival this Saturday

Photos courtesy of Andrea Farwell: Adults have fun at a beanbag toss earlier this year, just one of many events the church sponsors for young and old. A free Family Carnival for the community is planned next Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

YATES – Fun-filled family-oriented events for members and the community are a top priority for the Yates Baptist Church.

Earlier this summer their members decided they wanted to host a free event for the community where the Gospel could be presented, and they decided to host a Family Carnival, with events for the entire family.

A committee was set up, with Corrine Mt. Pleasant as chair.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at the church on Yates Center Road.

The afternoon will feature games, crafts, animals, prizes, caricatures, face painting, food and archery by Merle Fredericks, a member of the church.

Andrea Farwell, one of the members of the carnival committee, said they had a similar event when they celebrated the church’s bicentennial in 2022 and they are hoping for a large turnout on Saturday as well.

Programs for youth are popular at Yates Baptist Church. Here the youth and leaders pose after a creek float, which was followed by a bonfire.

Yates Baptist Church was founded 204 years ago. She has been a member for nine years, while her husband has attended there his entire life. They are now raising their three children there, Farwell said.

She said it was almost two years ago when Pastor Lyell Drake retired and Pastor Eric Wolbert took the role of lead pastor.

“He has been an answer to our prayers,” she said. “The transition was seamless. The Bible, as God’s inerrant Word, is the foundation of our church and is preached weekly.”

The church has a thriving Wednesday night Family Night program which meets throughout the school year.  Many families join in for dinner, worship, games and Bible study, Farwell said. This year’s Family Night starts Sept. 16 and runs from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.

The Youth Group at YBC is also very active and gathered throughout the summer for bonfires, pool nights, kickball, bowling and floating down the creek.

The community is also invited to attend worship at 9:45 a.m. Sundays, followed by Sunday School and a family hour at 11:15 a.m.