St. Mary Church of God in Christ will hold an outreach event this Saturday featuring food, a clown, games, bounce houses and more.

“It gives us an opportunity to connect with the community and gives us a stronger presence in the community,” said the Rev. Dr. Dwight Nixon, pastor of the church. “We want to try to keep the church presence in the community.”

The church last year began ministering more in neighborhoods near its physical location at 3637 Nansemond Parkway, Nixon said. Community days have been held in several neighborhoods since then.

This Saturday’s event, however, will take place at the church.

“It’s just our idea of getting out from these four walls and having a visible presence in the community,” Nixon said “A lot of times, people drive past the church, but they’re not connected with the church. They don’t know what we’re all about.”

Saturday’s event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature face painting, a praise dance contest and plenty of other fun.

But the community days aren’t the only type of outreach the church is doing, Nixon said. It recently completed installation of a computer room to help adults prepare to take the GED test. It also has a mentoring program for young men.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to offer more in the future,” Nixon said. “We’ll be doing more as we continue to canvass the community.”

For more information about the community day, call 538-0155 or 636-5879.