Northwest was the place to be on The Fourth of July! Well over a thousand of our friends and neighbors from the Hilliard community gathered for our very first Fourth at Northwest. We were elated with the evening’s success!

The evening was full of excitement for children who enjoyed face painting, six giant inflatable games, patriotic silly bandz and glow necklaces. Adults enjoyed pops and big band concerts from our orchestra, cornhole, catching up with friends and 25¢ all-American foods (grilled hotdogs, homemade apple crisp and ice cold soda).

As the sun set, families gathered on the lawn to watch the Hilliard fireworks. We don’t know which was more enjoyable—the fireworks themselves or the look of excitement on the children’s faces.

Best of all, because of your thoughtful invitations to friends and neighbors, many families made their first connection with Northwest. Our pastors charged us to take part in the mission by inviting those in our sphere of influence. Praise the Lord that your friends and neighbors will now have a great experience in mind when you talk with them about your church home! It is our prayer that seeds were planted and walls were broken down.

We were humbled to see how God was “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” We want to say a huge thank you to all of the Life Groups that volunteered their time and effort to run this event. Without your willingness to give of yourselves, the evening would not have been such a success! Thank you for going above and beyond! Independence Day is a great reminder of our nation’s freedom, however, it also reminds us of our freedom in Christ—which nothing can top!