SHELBYVILLE, Ky. – In a creative blend of fun and faith, First Baptist Church of Shelbyville hosted a nine-hole mini-golf course to share the story of Jesus’ birth. Designed to engage the entire community, the event is both an opportunity for family fun and an introduction to the true meaning of Christmas.

Church members Matt and Tiffanie Mueller picked up the idea from their previous church and brought it to Shelbyville.

“We were looking for an outreach opportunity that could bring people from our community inside the church who wouldn’t normally visit,” Matt said. “Mini-golf works because it appeals to anyone. A 3-year-old and 90-year-old can both play a round of mini-golf and have a good time.”

The indoor course, carefully designed with PVC pipe, carpet and festive decorations, features nine holes throughout the church’s gym, culminating in a more intimate gathering in the fellowship hall where members share the Gospel and connect with attendees. Bible Study groups each take ownership and “adopt” their own holes to decorate.

“Most people didn’t fully know what my vision was until the night of,” Tiffanie said. “But people stepped up and owned it. It was so fun watching people come up with ideas for their holes and working together to make them a reality.”

The Muellers said outreach was good for those in and outside the church.

“It’s been great to see people who have drifted from the church find their way back in,” Matt said. “We even realized while we were there that our neighbors, who don’t normally attend church, showed up and brought their whole family.”

The Muellers hope the event will continue to bless Shelbyville and encourage other churches looking for a unique Christmas outreach to consider mini-golf.

“It’s a very doable outreach that energizes our church members and blesses our community with the awe of the Christmas story,” Matt said.

This story originally appeared in Kentucky Today.

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• Travis Hearne