An Easter Celebration
On April 19, 2025, the Zavalla ISD Athletic Complex buzzed with joy as four local churches—Solid Rock Baptist, Oziaa Missionary Baptist, Zavalla First Baptist, and Sulphur Springs Church—hosted the Zavalla Community Easter Event. The following morning, the community gathered again for a Sunrise Easter Service at Cassels-Boykin Pavilion on Lake Sam Rayburn. These events, blending fun, faith, and fellowship, showcased Zavalla’s commitment to rebuilding community ties in an era of growing isolation.
The Easter Event drew families for a day of celebration. Children from infants to fifth graders hunted for eggs, their laughter echoing across the complex. Bounce houses provided endless entertainment, while a 5K color run and other races energized participants of all ages. Free hot dogs, Frito pie, cotton candy, popcorn, and drinks ensured no one went hungry, fostering a sense of shared abundance. Yet, the event’s heart lay in its spiritual core. Youth from Solid Rock Baptist presented a moving dramatization of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, reminding attendees of Easter’s deeper meaning. Pastor Joel Hitchcock of Solid Rock offered a prayer and a message on Easter’s significance, while Pastor Stephen Forrest of Zavalla First Baptist encouraged attendance at the next day’s sunrise service.
Despite overcast skies threatening rain, the Community Sunrise Easter Service on April 20 at 7:30 a.m. saw a strong turnout. Held at the scenic Cassels-Boykin Pavilion, the service united people from Zavalla’s churches. The First Baptist Church worship team led uplifting songs, setting tone of worship and celebration. Pastor Joel delivered the invocation and introduced Mr. Standbury from Huntington, who spoke on Mark 16, emphasizing the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb and the personal “stones” we can overcome through faith. The service closed with more worship led by the First Baptist team, and Pastor Forrest urged everyone to find a home church or attend a service later that day.
These events exemplify how shared experiences can counter the disconnection plaguing modern communities. In the U.S., social isolation is rising—studies show only 20% of people regularly interact with neighbors, down from 30% decades ago. Loneliness, linked to health issues like depression, and declining civic engagement, with local voter turnout often below 20%, highlight the need for communal efforts. Zavalla’s Easter gatherings offered a remedy by creating inclusive, low-barrier spaces for connection.
The Easter Event’s free food and activities removed economic barriers, ensuring broad participation. The egg hunt and bounce houses engaged children, while the 5K run drew adults, fostering multigenerational bonds. The dramatization and Pastor Joel’s message grounded the fun in shared values, reinforcing cultural ties. Similarly, the Sunrise Service’s lakeside setting and collective worship created a sacred space for reflection and unity. Mr. Standbury’s message resonated universally, encouraging personal growth through faith, while Pastor Forrest’s call to join a church emphasized ongoing community involvement.
These gatherings also strengthened trust and collaboration among Zavalla’s churches. By pooling resources, Solid Rock, Oziaa, Zavalla First Baptist, and Sulphur Springs demonstrated unity, amplifying their impact. The involvement of local leaders like Pastors Joel and Stephen, alongside community members like Mr. Standbury, highlighted the power of grassroots efforts. Such initiatives echo successful models elsewhere, like Ohio towns boosting event attendance by 40% through similar collaborations.
Zavalla’s Easter events built community by offering spaces for joy, reflection, and connection. They reminded attendees that, like the stone rolled away in Mark 16, barriers to fellowship can be overcome through shared faith and effort. As Pastor Forrest urged, finding a home church sustains these bonds, ensuring Zavalla remains a place where neighbors know and support one another.
Copyright 2025 The Zavalla Eagle
