NATCHEZ — Children from Cambridge Heights Apartments started their July 4 with a block party.

The party was the first of its kind hosted by the First Assembly of God as part of its new Crosstown initiative, lasting from approximately 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the apartment complex.

The point of the initiative is to connect with the community, said pastor Scott Green. Members of the congregation prayed to God to help them discover the church’s purpose.

“He’s directed us to connect our community to Christ,” Green said. “We can’t do that by staying inside our church. We’re trying to bring the church out to the community.”

Church members trained with Master’s Commission Bible School in Lafayette before beginning the program.

“They’re doing this very strong in Lafayette,” Green said.

Cambridge Heights seemed like the perfect place to begin, Green said, because many of the residents already knew the church through other programs, such as the church’s food pantry.

The apartment complex also has approximately 100 children ranging in age from 1 to 18.

Kyrah Johnson, 8, was one of those children who decided to spend her July 4 morning with the church.

“I thought it was boring, so I just came and it was fun,” Johnson said, talking about her morning.

Johnson blew bubbles and played volleyball, but it was the jump rope contest that caught her eye. Johnson volunteered and out-jumped her opponent, winning a roll of Sweet Tarts.

“I’m saving them,” she said.

Johnson’s jump rope win was the first of several competitions. After her first win, Johnson made a decision about how many more competitions she aimed to win.

“All of them,” Johnson said.

Johnson is the daughter of Zierra Abraham and Litmane Johnson.

By 10:40 a.m., 19 children had come to the event. After a period of free play, volunteers directed children to take a seat before leading them in song and dance.

The clapping and cheers only added to the overall noise and energy.

“That’s what’s needed for this,” Green said. “A lot of high energy to get the kids excited for this.”

The rest of the morning was filled with more songs, games, devotion, prayer, stories and competitions.

It’s an experience that Green wants to repeat.

“In the future we’re looking at maybe every other week,” Green said.

But for right now, First Assembly plans on hosting an event on the first Saturday of every month at Cambridge Heights.

“This is just another opportunity we have to reach out to people,” Green said.