Rise Up Church has had a big impact in Newkirk and Kay County in recent months, reaching out to the community with the message of the gospel. They have been seen outside the church and in the community, including at the Kay County Amphitheater, and this Sunday evening, June 11 the church’s praise and worship band will have a night of worship at the Amphitheater itself, and everyone is invited to participate.

Clayton Pappan is the senior pastor of Rise Up Church, located at Eighth and Walnut in Newkirk.

“This Sunday, we’ll be having Sunday morning service, but we’ll be doing a night of worship at the amphitheater,” he said.

The event begins at 6 that evening, and will last about an hour with the band singing praise and worship music.

It won’t be the first time they had worship services at the amphitheater.

“A few weeks ago, we did Church on Main, and I got to preach from the Amphitheater,” he said.

The event is an outgrowth of their church Ministry at Rise Up Church in an effort to reach out to the community.

Pappan is a native of Newkirk, and always had a heart for reaching the community, especially the youth. He and fellow pastors at LifeChurch.tv in Ponca City found that opportunity when First Presbyterian Church in Newkirk closed. They would eventually fill the halls of the former church as Rise Up Church.

“My wife and I were called to Newkirk. We felt about three years ago God was calling us to Newkirk, and the start of Rise Up Church is nothing short of miraculous,” he said.

Part of that miracle is the support they have received since they opened in January.

“We’ve been blessed. We’ve been averaging about 100 people every week,” he said. “We’ve been able to reach out to the community.”

They are also crossing denominational lines to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, and partner with other churches to help make that happen.

“That is where our heart is, to get away from denominational divisions,” he said. “I believe as a church that we can we can do more together than as opponents. Our heart is to get out in the community and partner with other churches and be as much of a blessing and influence on the community as we can.”

The evening program begins at 6 and will be a night of worship and praise across all denominations.

“It’ll be a family-friendly event. Bring a blanket and come out in Newkirk. We’re open to everybody, the whole community,” he said. “We encourage everyone to come out, join the night with us, praising the Lord and join in the blessing we have here in the country, and the ability to do it in the public square.”