More than 30,000 U.S. churches expect to welcome more 3 million congregants on Back to Church Sunday, to be held Sept. 21. It’s the sixth annual event for the national movement, the largest yearly community-based church outreach effort in the nation.

In Pearl, Mississippi, more than 15 churches have joined together to invite all residents from the Jackson, Mississippi area to come back to church. According to a pastor in Pearl, this is the first-ever effort for churches in their city to work together for participation in Back to Church Sunday. According to a Back to Church Sunday media release, the group has even garnered the support of the local mayor.

“I encourage Pearl residents to bring their families and reach out to their neighbors to participate in National Back to Church Sunday,” said Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers.  “Having a church home strengthens families—and strong families and churches strengthen communities.”

In DeLand, Florida, chaplains of the high school football team are using the community’s passion for football to encourage people to go back to church by showing Back to Church Sunday’s viral "Pastor Rap" video to 10,000 people attending games.

“A recent demographic study of our area confirmed a high percentage of residents have a traditional church background, but most are not now attending church,” said Chuck Hassell, a local minister and co-chaplain for the football team. “These people—literally raised in church—are the ones who need that invitation back to church. The 'Pastor Rap' video works well for our community because it shows all different aspects and types of churches. Our message is this: Select the church of your choice, but just go to church somewhere.” 

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