By Larry Stover

Pastor of Praise Park Ministries Church of the Nazarene

Praise Park Ministries Church of the Nazarene will be hosting their second annual Dallas County High School Athletes Sunday on April 21. This is the one time of the year that the church will have all athletes present for a meal and a celebration.

Athletes coming include those participating in football, basketball, baseball, softball, track, golf, as well as cheerleaders and their families. All coaches, assistant coaches and their families are also invited.

Activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. Our “Out of This World” breakfast buffet will be served until 10:30 a.m. It will include eggs, grits, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy, toast, biscuits, a wide variety of sweet delights, several kinds of juices and a surprise or two.

We appreciate the assistance of Dave’s Market in Valley Grande helping with the breakfast.

At 10:30 a.m. we will all gather together to celebrate the 2012-2013 athletic season. A special highlight of the morning will be introducing the many athletes in attendance, allowing them to mention the various athletic endeavors they pursue.

The Sunday Evening Worship team from Praise Park will be in charge of the music for the morning. They are all about modern worship that includes a wide variety of stringed instruments, drums and vocalists. They will be enjoyed by all.

Our special guest speaker this year will be Coach Marty Smith. He is the athletic director and head football coach at Southside-Gadsden High School.

Smith won two state championships and one state runner-up title while coaching basketball at John Carroll Catholic High School. He is a sought-after speaker across the state and our athletes and their families will enjoy hearing him address the congregation.

Last year was an exciting day for everyone, with almost 200 in attendance.

We want to encourage all our coaches, athletes and their families to join us next Sunday for this special celebration. It’s a small way for the church to say think you to a host of area youth who enjoy being a part of the athletic program at Dallas County High School.

There is no charge to attend. Anyone in the community that would like to spend the morning with DCHS students is invited as well.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact me at the church, 874-8041.