Downtown Worship unites nearby churches, attendees in Spruce Pine
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church pastor Darrin Waldroup makes a point while speaking at the Downtown Worship event on June 22.
Upper Street in downtown Spruce Pine on Wednesday, June 22 buzzed with the sound of live worship music and guest speakers during the first Downtown Worship Event presented by L&L Furniture.
People packed Upper Street starting just after 5:30 p.m. to set up lawn chairs and buy food and drinks. Claudia’s Food Truck and CJ’s BBQ sold hot food. Pelicans SnoBalls and Sips Soda sold cool refreshments and another booth offered snacks like popcorn and cotton candy.
The worship and praise portion of the event started around 6:45 p.m. Up to that point, kids enjoyed activities like inflatables and face painting.
106.9 The Light radio station was there and set up a booth for giveaways and photo opportunities. Morning host Carol Davis addressed the crowd before the music and speakers took the stage.
L&L owner Walton Shepherd said the turnout was great.
“Hopefully we can plan on doing this every year,” he said while adding that in future years, he hopes to bring different praise bands and speakers.
“The way I see it is that there are a ton of churches here,” Shepherd said. “We all worship the same savior, which is Jesus.”
Several different local praise bands took the stage throughout the evening playing both classic hymns and modern originals.
Speakers including local pastors Darrin Waldroup of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Rocky Branch of Spruce Pine First Baptist Church, Andy Willis of Western Carolina Church and Zack Mason of The Grove Church grabbed microphones and shared the gospel with the street full of attendees.
At the end of the event, kids gathered together to sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “This Little Light of Mine” as the sun set and attendees began to gather their belongings.
There was an offering to benefit local missions.
“If your heart feels led to local missions here in Mitchell County, please donate that to your church,” Shepherd told the crowd. “You and your church can decide what to do with that. Make sure it’s a local mission. That’s what this event is all about.”
Shepherd thanked those who made the event possible including the Town of Spruce Pine, the Spruce Pine Town Council, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Bill Summerlin and the Spruce Pine Police Department, Spruce Pine Main Street, the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, Spruce Pine Parks and Recreation, Fortner Insurance and others.
“They work so hard every day,” Shepherd said about Spruce Pine Mayor Darla Harding and the town council. “I promise their vision for Spruce Pine is great. They do a lot for this town and we appreciate that.”