TUNNELTON — Two Tunnelton pastors brought the meaning of Easter to life Friday, as David Favro carried a cross through town followed by members of Grace House church and the community. It was intended as a reminder of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Half of the people who followed me as I carried the cross were members of the church, and the other half were members of the community,” said Favro, Grace House pastor.
Following the procession, Favro and Dave Biggins, fellow Grace House pastor, spoke to roughly 100 people who gathered in an empty space beside the Tunnelton Quick Stop.
The crowd listened as Favro gave a short sermon abut the importance of the cross, recalling the crucifixion and the redeeming benefits of Jesus’ death.
“Jesus said he didn’t come to be served but to serve,” Favro said. “Our church is founded on those characteristics of Jesus. We serve the community.”
Members of the congregation provided free hot meals for the people attending. Each family was given a box of food. The food boxes were provided by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Foundation. Favro said on average 200 to 250 boxes are given out every Friday.
“There is never any left over,” he said.
“People come and pick up boxes for family and friends who can’t come in,” Biggins said.
“We started our ministry two years ago on Easter Sunday,” Favro said. “But we’ve been ministering together for over a decade.”
Biggins said the congregation meets at the Tunnelton Volunteer Fire Department at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. He said everyone is welcome to attend.
Favro said he and Biggins chose that location because some individuals feel out of place in a regular church.
“The owner of Cat Daddy’s in Kingwood asked us if we would have meetings there,” he said. “We have bible study there Wednesday evenings at 7.”
Favro said the most important thing about the ministry is that he wants people to know Jesus loves them.
“Easter is everything,” he said. “Without Jesus dying for us and being raised up again – that’s our hope for eternal life.”
“That’s the day we were set free,” Biggins added.
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