FAIRFIELD – Members of The Bridge Church showed the city of Fairfield how much it means to them by engaging in community service projects throughout town on Saturday, July 20.

The church has performed this act of kindness every year in Fairfield for the last four years ever since the church opened a chapter in Fairfield in 2021. Parishioners call the event Serve Day. About 125 church members broke up into 13 groups to tackle projects with other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore, The Well Resource Center and Fairfield Middle School, where the church holds its services.

Pastor Craig Zuithoff, who presides over the church’s Fairfield campus, said volunteers cleaned up and painted at the middle school, and helped at The Well’s thrift store. This year, the church also partnered with the Fairfield Beautification Commission to clean up the downtown before RAGBRAI comes through on Friday, July 26.

“We were also able to work on two residential properties where the city knew they could use some help with their lawn care and trees,” Zuithoff said.

One group painted picnic tables that will be brought to Central Park for RAGBRAI. Twenty parishioners who drive from Keosauqua broke off to do their own set of community service projects in Keosauqua that day.

After a morning of hard work, the church members gathered in Central Park for lunch and games, including bean bags and a bounce house. Everyone who participated in Serve Day wore a red shirt with the words “Love This City” printed on the front. Zuithoff said the shirts express the churchgoers’ admiration for their community. Plus, getting over 100 people to wear the same shirt is a good way to promote the church.

“We’ve had people come up to ask, ‘Where do I get one of those?’” Zuithoff said.

The Bridge Church is among the largest congregations in the area, and attracts about 375 people to its Sunday service during the school year, and about 275 during the summer. Zuithoff said the church makes a special effort to welcome new members.

“If you’re brand new to church and you’re checking out, ‘Who is God?’ we’re a good starting spot to come and worship,” Zuithoff said. “We teach the Bible pretty well. People are looking for something different. We want people to come as they are, and be welcomed. And we’re good at inviting people to take the next step. We believe God has a plan for people, to keep growing and getting more involved in their faith.”

Zuithoff said The Bridge Church has succeeded in attracting young people to its congregation, and they calculated that the average age of its membership is 29.

“Our kids’ ministry is really good,” Zuithoff said. “Our kids’ ministry happens during our services, and our goal is to make it the best hour of every kid’s week. It also gives parents the chance to sit in the service and engage with the message.”

The Bridge Church started in Ottumwa 17 years ago, and it has branched out to create campuses in Fairfield, Oskaloosa and Centerville. The Fairfield services are at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every Sunday at Fairfield Middle School.